NSW Mandatory Codes of Practice

From 1 July 2026, SafeWork NSW are changing Codes of Practice – are you ready? 

Currently, many NSW Codes of Practice are not legally enforceable the same as the WHS Act or WHS Regulation. 

NSW Codes of Practice are not the same as the WHS Act or WHS Regulation, but they are still legally important. An approved Code of Practice currently gives practical guidance on how to meet WHS duties and can be used in court as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control, and what may be “reasonably practicable.” 

 SafeWork NSW also says inspectors may refer to an approved code when issuing improvement or prohibition notices. 

From 1 July 2026, NSW is changing the position: it will become a duty to comply with an approved Code of Practice, or alternatively to provide a standard of health and safety that is equivalent to or higher than the code. SafeWork NSW states this change is being introduced from 1 July 2026. 

So, the practical answer is: 

The key point: even now, we would not treat NSW Codes of Practice as optional guidance. If a PCBU departs from a code, they should be able to clearly justify and document how their alternative controls achieve at least the same standard. 

After 1 July 2026, that position becomes much more direct and enforceable. 

Codes of Practice NSW

Access the list of WHS Codes of Practice here.

• Abrasive Blasting
• Collection and transport of waste
• Confined spaces
• Construction work
• Demolition work
• Excavation work
• First aid in the workplace
• Formwork
• Hazardous manual tasks
• Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
• How to manage blood-borne virus exposure risks in the workplace – hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV
• How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace
• How to manage work health and safety risks
• How to safely remove asbestos
• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals
• Managing electrical risks in the workplace
• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• Managing psychosocial hazards at work
• Managing risks in stevedoring
• Managing the risk of fatigue at work
• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace
• Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
• Managing the risk of falls in housing construction
• Managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses
• Managing the work environment and facilities
• Moving plant on construction sites
• Overhead protective structures
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals
• Safe design of structures
• Safe handling of timber preservatives and recently treated timber
• Safe use and storage of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Safety in forest harvesting
• Safe use and design of bulk storage silos and bins
• Sawmilling industry
• Sexual and gender-based harassment
• Spray painting and powder coating
• Transport and delivery of cash and valuable goods
• Tower cranes
• Tree works
• Welding processes
• Worker accommodation
• Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination
• Work on roofs – commercial and industrial buildings
• Working safely when cutting, drilling and grinding concrete and masonry product
• Work near overhead and underground electric lines