Public Feedback Sought on New Measures to Lift Quad Bike Safety

Since 2011, 245 people have lost their lives in quad bike incidents across Australia. Most of these fatalities involved collisions or rollovers, and tragically, 43 of those killed were aged 19 years or younger. As at 9 April 2026, a further 10 quad bike-related deaths have already been recorded.

In response, Safe Work Australia has commenced a public consultation process to gather input on a range of regulatory and non-regulatory options aimed at improving quad bike safety in workplaces. This includes measures to better control the risks associated with operating quad bikes as part of work activities, supported by effective WHS management systems, safe work method statements (SWMS) and workplace policies.

The regulatory options under consideration focus on strengthening requirements for businesses and undertakings that use quad bikes in the course of work. Safe Work Australia is seeking detailed feedback on how these options would operate in practice, including their likely benefits, costs and any potential unintended consequences for industry, workers and the community.

Non-regulatory options being explored include improved guidance, education and resources to support duty holders to identify hazards, implement appropriate controls and integrate quad bike safety into their WHS management systems and procedures. These approaches may complement existing tools such as formal WHS policies and documented SWMS for quad bike operation and related tasks. For examples of structured WHS documentation, businesses may wish to review industry SWMS templates available at https://www.bluesafeonline.com.au/store/swms.

Safe Work Australia also welcomes suggestions on any additional strategies or innovative approaches that could further reduce quad bike risks in the workplace, including improvements to training, supervision, equipment selection and maintenance, or the integration of quad bike controls into broader WHS management frameworks.

All interested stakeholders are encouraged to contribute, including industry bodies, employers, workers, WHS regulators, safety professionals and members of the public with an interest in quad bike safety. Diverse input is vital to ensure that any future measures are practical, effective and proportionate.

The consultation paper is available on Safe Work Australia’s Consultation Hub. Stakeholders can provide feedback by uploading a written submission or by completing the online questionnaire. The consultation period is open until 11.59 pm (AEST) on Monday, 1 June 2026.

Information and evidence gathered through this process will be carefully considered by Safe Work Australia Members to inform decisions on future policy directions and potential changes to work health and safety requirements for quad bike use.

Further information on quad bike safety, including data and trends, is available on Safe Work Australia’s website and through the interactive quad bike data dashboard. These resources can support businesses to review their current controls and strengthen their WHS management systems in relation to quad bike operations.