SafeWork NSW has revised eight Codes of Practice, in effect from 22 May 2026. From 1 July 2026, a change to the WHS Act means PCBUs must comply with an applicable Code or provide a standard of health and safety that is equivalent or higher. If any of these apply to your workplace, now is the time to review them with your HSRs.

What’s Changed

Codes of Practice give practical guidance on how to meet health and safety duties under WHS law. SafeWork NSW has updated and revised eight of them, which took effect on 22 May 2026:

  • Work on roofs – commercial and industrial buildings
  • Working safely when cutting, drilling and grinding concrete and masonry products
  • Worker accommodation
  • Work near overhead and underground electric lines
  • Transport and delivery of cash and valuable goods
  • Sawmilling industry
  • How to manage blood-borne virus exposure risks in the workplace (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV)
  • Safe use and design of bulk storage silos and bins

Why 1 July 2026 Matters

The significant shift isn’t just the updated content it’s the legal status. From 1 July 2026, changes to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) make it a duty to comply with an approved Code of Practice, or to provide a standard of health and safety that is equivalent to or higher than the Code.

In practice, that means a Code is no longer purely advisory guidance. Falling short of an applicable Code can itself point to a compliance gap, so it’s worth confirming your control measures actually meet — or exceed — the relevant Code.

What PCBUs Should Do

If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) whose work relates to any of these Codes, SafeWork NSW recommends you review the content of the Code and ensure your control measures are effective. A straightforward approach:

  • Identify which of the eight Codes apply to your operations.
  • Download the current versions from the SafeWork NSW Codes of Practice library.
  • Compare your existing controls against the Code and close any gaps.
  • Consult your workers and HSRs — they often see the practical issues first.
  • Document the review, so you can show what you’ve done.

Where HSRs Fit In

Reviewing controls is exactly the kind of work where Health and Safety Representatives add value. HSRs are entitled to be consulted on health and safety matters, and a well trained HSR can help identify where current practice doesn’t match an updated Code. Keeping HSR knowledge current means these reviews are more thorough and consultation is more effective.

Keep Your HSRs Current

For group or on-site training, contact Advance OHS or call (02) 9635 4444.

Source: SafeWork NSW, “SafeWork Wrap” (June 2026); safework.nsw.gov.au. This article is general information only and does not constitute WHS or legal advice. Advance Consulting & Training Pty Ltd — RTO 91534.