Product Overview

Summary: This Office Relocation Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS-focused approach to moving offices anywhere in Australia. It sets out clear, step-by-step requirements to plan, coordinate and execute relocations safely, minimising disruption, manual handling injuries, data loss and damage to assets.

Office relocations are high‑risk change events that can expose organisations to workplace injuries, data breaches, asset damage and significant business disruption if not managed properly. This Office Relocation Safe Operating Procedure provides a comprehensive, WHS‑aligned framework for planning and delivering a move – from initial scoping and risk assessment through to physical relocation, commissioning of the new workspace, and post‑move review. It is written specifically for Australian workplaces and reflects local WHS obligations, contractor management expectations and consultation requirements with workers.

The SOP helps businesses turn what is often an ad‑hoc, stressful project into a controlled, repeatable process. It addresses the practical realities of moving staff, IT infrastructure, records, furniture and equipment while the business continues to operate. Clear roles and responsibilities, checklists and timelines support better decision‑making, reduce last‑minute surprises and provide evidence that due diligence has been exercised. Whether you are relocating a small professional practice or multiple floors in a corporate office tower, this document gives you a defensible, best‑practice method for managing safety, continuity and stakeholder communication throughout the move.

By implementing this SOP, organisations can better coordinate internal teams and external contractors, control manual handling and trip hazards, manage sensitive information and equipment, and ensure the new office is safe and ready for occupation on day one. It is particularly valuable for businesses that do not relocate often and need a clear, structured guide, as well as for multi‑site organisations seeking a consistent national standard for office moves.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and due diligence obligations during office relocations.
• Reduce the risk of manual handling injuries, trips and falls, and other relocation‑related incidents.
• Streamline planning, communication and coordination between internal stakeholders and external contractors.
• Protect business continuity by structuring the relocation to minimise downtime and service disruption.
• Safeguard IT systems and confidential information through defined packing, transport and commissioning controls.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners
• Office Managers
• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers
• HR Managers
• IT Managers
• Project Managers
• Practice Managers (medical, legal, accounting)
• Operations Managers
• State and Regional Managers
• Corporate Services Managers
• Administration Team Leaders

Hazards Addressed

• Manual handling injuries from lifting and moving furniture, boxes and equipment
• Slips, trips and falls due to cables, packing materials and altered walkways
• Crush and impact injuries from unstable loads, trolleys and mobile equipment
• Ergonomic risks from poorly planned workstation setup in the new office
• Electrical hazards during disconnection and reconnection of IT and office equipment
• Psychosocial risks associated with change, uncertainty and increased workload during the move
• Data security and confidentiality breaches during transport of files and IT hardware
• Contractor and visitor risks when multiple parties are working in shared areas
• Fire and emergency egress obstructions caused by stacked boxes or temporary storage in corridors

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Managers, Workers, Contractors)
• 5.0 Pre‑Relocation Planning and Project Governance
• 6.0 WHS Risk Assessment and Control Measures for Relocation Activities
• 7.0 Contractor Selection, Induction and Management
• 8.0 Communication and Consultation with Workers and Stakeholders
• 9.0 Inventory, Asset Register and Records Management Requirements
• 10.0 IT, Communications and Data Security Considerations
• 11.0 Packing, Labelling and Handling Procedures
• 12.0 On‑the‑Day Relocation Process and Traffic Management
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Use of Trolleys and Moving Equipment
• 14.0 Site Safety Requirements at Origin and Destination Premises
• 15.0 New Office Readiness, Work Environment and Ergonomic Setup
• 16.0 Emergency Planning, Egress and Evacuation Arrangements in the New Office
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Non‑Conformance and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Post‑Move Review, Defect List and Continuous Improvement
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Information for Workers
• 20.0 Document Control, Review and Version History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS ISO 10002:2018 Quality management – Customer satisfaction – Guidelines for complaints handling in organizations (relevant to managing stakeholder issues during relocation)
• AS/NZS 3084:2017 Telecommunications installations – Telecommunications pathways and spaces for commercial buildings (relevant to IT and cabling considerations)
• AS 3745:2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities (relevant to emergency planning and updated evacuation diagrams in the new office)