Quick answer: A working at heights SWMS is required when construction work involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres. The document should focus on the actual access method, edge protection, rescue arrangements, and site-specific fall hazards.
Last reviewed: March 2026 by the BlueSafe Technical Team. Reflects current Australian WHS requirements.
Falls remain one of the highest-consequence risks in construction. The question is not just whether someone is "up high". It is whether the work creates the legal HRCW falls trigger and whether the business has planned the task properly before it starts.
At a glance
| Item | Summary |
|---|---|
| SWMS legally required? | Yes |
| Licence required? | Depends on task |
| Main HRCW category | #1 risk of a person falling more than 2 metres |
| Typical tasks | Roofing, edge work, EWP use, facade work, elevated maintenance |
| Main controls | Eliminate the fall risk, then use edge protection, platforms, and rescue arrangements |
| Key documents | SWMS, inspection records, permits where required, equipment checks |
When is a working at heights SWMS required?
If the work is construction work and there is a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres, a SWMS is required before the task begins.
Common examples include:
- roof work
- scaffold edge work
- elevated installation or maintenance
- work near penetrations or voids
- facade access and elevated external work
The key issue is the fall risk created by the task, not just the trade doing it.
Does every job at height require the same controls?
No. The control approach should match the access method and the site.
| Task | Common risk | Typical controls |
|---|---|---|
| Roof installation or repair | Unprotected edges, fragile surfaces | Edge protection, roof access controls, exclusion zones |
| EWP or boom work | Ejection, collision, unsafe setup | Pre-start checks, operator competence, ground assessment |
| Ladder access | Overreach, instability, poor footing | Ladder selection, task limits, supervision |
| Edge work near slabs or voids | Falls through openings | Guardrails, covers, barricades, controlled access |
What the SWMS should cover
A working at heights SWMS should clearly explain:
- how workers will access the work area
- what fall prevention systems are used
- whether edge protection or guardrails are installed
- how tools and materials are handled
- what happens if weather changes
- how rescue will be managed if a worker falls or is suspended
Rescue planning matters. A harness alone is not the full system.
Applying the hierarchy of controls
The most defensible heights planning starts with higher-order controls.
- Eliminate the need to work at height where possible.
- Use ground-based or lower-risk methods where practical.
- Install physical protections such as guardrails, work platforms, or scaffolds.
- Use administrative controls for sequencing, permits, inspections, and exclusion zones.
- Use harnesses and PPE as part of the overall system, not as the only control.
Common mistakes on heights jobs
Common failures include:
- using a generic SWMS that does not match the access method
- relying on harnesses without rescue planning
- failing to inspect anchor points or edge protection
- overlooking weather and surface conditions
- not coordinating with other trades below the work area
State and territory variations
Working at heights duties are broadly similar across jurisdictions, but local regulator guidance may add detail.
| Jurisdiction | Regulator | Key note |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | SafeWork NSW | Model WHS framework applies |
| VIC | WorkSafe Victoria | Victoria uses a different legislative framework |
| QLD | Workplace Health and Safety Queensland | Model WHS framework applies |
| SA | SafeWork SA | Model WHS framework applies |
| WA | WorkSafe WA | Model WHS framework applies with local variations |
| TAS | WorkSafe Tasmania | Model WHS framework applies |
| ACT | WorkSafe ACT | Model WHS framework applies |
| NT | NT WorkSafe | Model WHS framework applies |
Check the current regulator guidance for height thresholds, fall prevention expectations, and equipment use.
Related guides
- The 18 High-Risk Construction Work Activities in Australia
- High Risk Construction Work SWMS - The Complete Guide
- Construction SWMS - What Every Builder and Contractor Needs
Frequently asked questions
When is a working at heights SWMS required?
It is required when construction work involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres.
Does every ladder job need a SWMS?
No. It depends on whether the task creates the HRCW falls risk and the broader site conditions.
What controls should be considered before harnesses?
The business should first consider eliminating the risk, using work platforms, edge protection, scaffolds, or other higher-order controls.
Can a working at heights SWMS also cover electrical or plant risk?
Yes. If the job also involves other HRCW triggers, the SWMS should cover the combined risk profile.
SWMS templates for working at heights
- General Working at Heights SWMS for broad elevated work where the main issue is managing fall risk and access.
- Fall Arrest Systems SWMS for tasks where a fall arrest system forms part of the control arrangement.
- Safety Harnesses SWMS for work where harness use, inspection, and suspension risk need to be addressed.
- Guardrail and Edge Protection Installation SWMS for installing or maintaining physical fall-prevention systems.