Consultation opens on hazardous chemical monitoring requirements
10 Aug 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback on proposed changes to health and air monitoring requirements for hazardous chemicals under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.
The consultation considers options to make the requirements clearer and easier to apply, with the aim of improving understanding and compliance.
Health and air monitoring helps workplaces identify, assess and manage the risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals. Stakeholder feedback has highlighted uncertainty and confusion about some requirements, as well as difficulties applying them in practice. These problems are affecting monitoring rates and the consistency of monitoring.
Alongside feedback on the proposed options, the consultation seeks views on other issues with the current requirements that warrant further examination and possible ways to address them.
The feedback will inform recommendations put to Safe Work Australia Members for consideration.
All interested stakeholders are invited to participate. The consultation paper is available through Safe Work Australia’s Consultation Hub, where participants can answer questions in an online survey or upload a written submission.
Submissions close at 11:59 pm (AEST) on Monday 21 September 2026.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your broader WHS responsibilities as you consider the hazardous chemical monitoring consultation. Take the free WHS self-check