New work health and safety laws coming to Western Australia

New work health and safety laws are coming to Western Australia, with the Western Australian Government confirming the state's WHS legislation takes effect on 31 March 2022. In an Australian first, the new laws bring together most workplaces in Western Australia under a single WHS Act, marking a significant shift in how businesses approach risk management and safety compliance.

What the New WHS Act Means for WA Businesses

Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said, "The new Work Health and Safety Act provides all workplace participants to review their health and safety practices and make a new commitment to ensure all their staff are happy and healthy at work."

"It reflects the social obligations and responsibilities the community now expects from companies and their senior management. The new laws modernise WA's work health and safety laws which were over 30 years old."

Effective safety management now sits at the centre of this legislation, requiring organisations to reassess how they identify and control workplace hazards. Senior management teams across construction, manufacturing and healthcare sectors will need to review existing practices against the new requirements well ahead of the deadline.

Harmonising WA with National Standards

"The new laws harmonise WA with other States and Territories, except Victoria, although amendments have been made to tailor the laws to reflect our unique State," the WA Government said in a media statement.

This harmonisation brings WA's approach to workplace safety legislation closer to national policy frameworks already adopted elsewhere in Australia. For businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions, consistent policy application reduces confusion and simplifies compliance obligations for safety teams managing risk across state borders.

Key Implications for Risk Management

Organisations should prepare for updated obligations around:

• Reviewing current safety management systems against the new WHS Act requirements
• Updating internal policy documents, including your WHS Policy templates
• Strengthening incident reporting processes to reduce workplace incidents
• Training senior management on new duties and responsibilities under the legislation

Reducing risk exposure requires strong governance from senior management, supported by clear documentation and consistent staff training. Businesses that treat risk management as an ongoing commitment, rather than a one-off compliance exercise, tend to see fewer incidents and stronger safety cultures over time.

Preparing Your Organisation

Management teams should not wait until the deadline to act. Reviewing your Work Health & Safety Policy now gives your organisation time to identify gaps before enforcement begins. Smaller businesses without dedicated safety management resources may benefit from external guidance during this transition.

For new business owners navigating these changes for the first time, understanding baseline obligations under WA's evolving legislation is essential. Our related guide, A Down-to-Earth Guide to Health and Safety for New Business Owners in Australia, offers practical steps for building compliant safety management practices from the ground up.

Read the full story on the Western Australian Government website. For further context on how these changes fit within the broader national picture, see our article on New Work Health and Safety laws begin March 31!