Quick answer: A confined space entry permit is a legally required written authorisation that must be in place before any worker enters a confined space. It records the space being entered, atmospheric test results, control measures, the standby person, rescue arrangements, and authorised entry and exit times. No permit — no entry.
Last reviewed: June 2026 by the BlueSafe Technical Team. Reflects current Model WHS Regulations.
If you manage or supervise work in confined spaces, one document sits above everything else in your permit-to-work system: the confined space entry permit. Without it, no one goes in — full stop.
This guide explains what a confined space entry permit is, what it must record, who can issue it, and how it fits alongside your confined space Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).
What is a confined space entry permit?
A confined space entry permit is a written authorisation that allows a named worker — or a named group of workers — to enter a specific confined space for a defined task, during a defined period of time.
The permit exists because confined spaces carry a level of risk that cannot be managed through normal supervision alone. The atmosphere inside a confined space can change rapidly and without warning. Oxygen can be displaced by inert gases. Flammable or toxic gases can build to dangerous concentrations. A worker who enters without confirmed atmospheric conditions, defined rescue arrangements, and a standby person outside is at extreme risk.
The permit-to-work mechanism forces a formal check of all these conditions before entry is authorised. It is not a paperwork formality — it is the control measure.
The legal requirement
Under the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (adopted in most Australian states and territories), a PCBU must not permit a worker to enter a confined space unless a written entry permit has been issued for that entry. The permit must be current and in force before the worker enters.
The regulations also require atmospheric monitoring before and during entry whenever there is a risk of a dangerous atmosphere. The results of that monitoring must be recorded on the permit. If atmospheric conditions change during work, entry must stop and the permit must be reviewed or cancelled.
The requirement for a confined space entry permit applies regardless of how brief the entry is expected to be. There is no exemption for "quick jobs."
Failure to issue a permit before entry is a breach of WHS Regulations and exposes the PCBU, the permit issuer, and any supervisors to significant penalties. More importantly, it puts workers' lives at risk.
What does a confined space entry permit record?
A compliant confined space entry permit will record all of the following:
1. Details of the confined space
The location of the space, a description of the space (e.g., "underground water pump pit, northern plant compound"), and any unique identifier used in your site register of confined spaces.
2. Description of the work
What is to be done inside the space — for example, inspection, cleaning, maintenance, installation. The permit is specific to a task. If the task changes, the permit should be reviewed or reissued.
3. Atmospheric test results
Readings for:
- Oxygen level (safe range: 19.5% to 23.5%)
- Flammable gas/vapour (must be below lower explosive limit)
- Carbon monoxide and other toxic gases relevant to the space
The name of the person who conducted the testing, the equipment used, and the time of testing must all be recorded. If continuous monitoring is required, this must also be noted.
4. Control measures in place
A checklist or description confirming that all required controls have been implemented before entry — ventilation, isolation of energy sources, lockout/tagout of plant, PPE issued and inspected, communication equipment confirmed operational.
5. The standby person
The name of the standby person — the competent worker stationed outside the confined space at all times during entry. The standby person must remain at the entry point, must not enter the space, and must be able to initiate rescue procedures immediately.
6. Rescue arrangements
How rescue will be carried out if a worker becomes incapacitated inside the space. This must be documented and confirmed before entry — not improvised if something goes wrong. Rescue equipment must be present and ready.
7. Names of authorised entrants
The names of every worker authorised to enter under the permit. Workers not named on the permit do not enter.
8. Entry and exit times
The permit records when entry is authorised to begin and when it must end or be reviewed. Entry and exit times must be logged against each entrant.
9. Authorisation signature
The name and signature of the competent person issuing the permit, confirming that all conditions have been verified and that entry is authorised.
Who issues a confined space entry permit?
The permit must be issued by a competent person — someone who has the knowledge, training, and experience to identify the hazards associated with the specific confined space and the work being performed, assess the risks, and verify that all control measures are in place.
In practice, this is usually a qualified supervisor, safety officer, or site manager who has completed formal confined space training (consistent with relevant competency units under Australian training packages). The permit issuer must not be the person entering the space — they must remain available outside to oversee the entry.
The permit issuer bears significant responsibility. Signing off on a permit without genuinely verifying conditions — atmospheric tests, rescue arrangements, standby person in place — is a serious failure that could contribute to a fatality.
How the permit fits with your confined space SWMS
The confined space entry permit and the confined space Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) work together — but they are not the same document and one does not replace the other.
The SWMS identifies the high-risk construction work involved, lists the hazards, and describes the control measures to be applied. It is prepared in advance of the work and sets out the overall method.
The entry permit is issued immediately before a specific entry event. It confirms that the SWMS controls are actually in place at the time of entry, records the atmospheric test results for that entry, names the specific workers involved, and authorises the entry to proceed.
Think of the SWMS as the plan and the entry permit as the confirmation that the plan has been followed.
For a detailed guide to the SWMS requirements for confined space work, see our Confined Space SWMS Guide.
Confined space entry permits and permit-to-work systems
In larger or more complex workplaces, the confined space entry permit sits within a broader permit-to-work (PTW) system that coordinates multiple types of high-risk work — including hot work, electrical isolation, and working at heights — to prevent conflicts between simultaneous tasks and ensure that all hazards are controlled before work begins.
Even where a formal PTW system is not in place, the confined space entry permit functions in the same way: as a mandatory, documented, authorised gate that no worker passes through without all conditions being confirmed.
To understand how permit-to-work systems are structured and how confined space permits fit within them, see our Permit-to-Work Systems guide.
At a glance: confined space entry permit checklist
| Permit element | Required? |
|---|---|
| Space identification and location | Yes |
| Description of work to be performed | Yes |
| Atmospheric test results (O₂, flammable gas, toxic gas) | Yes |
| Testing equipment and tester details | Yes |
| Ventilation and isolation controls confirmed | Yes |
| Standby person named and in position | Yes |
| Rescue equipment present and arrangements documented | Yes |
| Names of all authorised entrants | Yes |
| Permitted entry and exit times | Yes |
| Issuing competent person's signature | Yes |
| Reference to confined space SWMS | Recommended |
Frequently asked questions
Is a confined space entry permit legally required in Australia?
Yes. The Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (and equivalent state and territory regulations) require a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure that no worker enters a confined space unless a written entry permit has been issued for that entry. The permit must be current and in force before entry begins.
Who can issue a confined space entry permit?
The permit must be issued by a competent person — someone with the knowledge, skills and experience to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the confined space work. In most cases this is a qualified supervisor or safety officer who has completed confined space training. The permit issuer must not enter the space themselves while the permit is in force.
How long is a confined space entry permit valid?
A confined space entry permit is valid only for the specific entry it covers, for a defined period or shift. If conditions change — for example, if atmospheric monitoring detects a hazard, if there is a break in work longer than the permit allows, or if the nature of the work changes — the permit must be cancelled and a new one issued before re-entry.
What is the difference between a confined space entry permit and a confined space SWMS?
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for confined space work describes how the work will be carried out safely — the high-risk activities involved, the hazards, and the control measures. An entry permit is a separate, job-specific document that authorises a particular entry event, records the results of atmospheric testing, names the workers entering and the standby person, and confirms that all controls from the SWMS are in place before entry begins. You need both.
Access confined space entry permits and WHS documents
BlueSafe Online gives you access to ready-to-use WHS document templates including confined space entry permits, confined space SWMS, and supporting registers — designed for Australian businesses and built to meet regulatory requirements.
This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may vary depending on your jurisdiction, the nature of the work, and any applicable industry-specific regulations. Always consult your state or territory WHS regulator or a qualified safety professional for advice specific to your circumstances.