This Member Advice focuses on a broad range of public consultation processes currently underway which allow stakeholders to have input to policy and legislative decisions.

• National – Safe Work Australia:
  • Draft Model WHS Code of Practice – Managing fatigue risks at work. Closes 27 November 2024.
  • Changes to workplace exposure limits (WEL): benzene; chlorine; copper (fumes, dusts, mists); formaldehyde; hydrogen cyanide; hydrogen sulphide; nitrogen dioxide; respirable crystalline silica; titanium dioxide. Launching soon, with an expected 6-week consultation period.
  • Mid-term review of the national Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030. Closes 29 November 2024.
• National – other bodies
  • National Transport Commission – draft Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail. Closes 10 December 2024.
  • Review of the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, including consideration of whether it is still appropriate for the Comcare scheme to “be a pathway to a national scheme for private multi-state employers”. Closes 2 December 2024.
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) – draft review of PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] in Australian drinking water. Closes 22 November 2024.
• New South Wales:
  • New requirement for businesses to register silica workers with SafeWork NSW. Closes 4 November 2024.
  • Self and specialised insurer licensing framework. Closes 4 November 2024.
• Western Australia: 
  • WHS Code of Practice for the Public Sector. Closes 31 January 2025.