Availability of guidance about the model Work Health and Safety Legislation

Safe Work Australia has now published a series of Fact Sheets and Frequently Asked Questions regarding volunteers, volunteer officers and volunteer organisations and the application of the model Work Health and Safety legislation.

This guidance material can be found at the following links:

Volunteers and the model Work Health and Safety Act - LEGISLATIVE FACT SHEET SERIES

Frequently Asked Questions: Volunteers, Volunteer Organisations and the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 

The FAQs can also be accessed directly via the home page of Safe Work Australia's website.

Volunteering Australia's Sector Communique

Please click below to view VA's sector communique on these changes from 25 October 2011 about clarification received from Safe Work Australia about the Impact of new model Work Health and Safety Act for volunteer directors and officers

Sector Communique: Impact of new model Work Health and Safety Act for volunteer directors and officers.

Status of the model Work Health and Safety Act in states/territories

Status of the model Work Health and Safety Act in states/territories
Volunteering Australia has confirmed that as of 14 December 2011, the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have enacted the provisions of the Model Work Health and Safety Act ready for commencement from 1 January 2012.

Tasmanias Legislative Council has amended the start date of the Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 to 1 January 2013. Debate on the Work Health and Safety Bill in South Australia has been deferred until February 2012.  Victoria and Western Australia have not yet introduced Work Health and Safety (WHS) bills and propose to defer implementation until 2013.

Further information about Work Health and Safety obligations as of 1 January 2012 can be obtained from the workplace health and safety regulator in your state/territory.

Media Release

'Setting the record straight on volunteers' media release by Safe Work Australia