Harmonisation of OHS Laws
Background
In July 2008, the Council of Australia Governments formally committed to the harmonisation of work health and safety laws by signing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in OHS (IGA).
The IGA outlines the commitment of all states and territories and the Commonwealth to work together to develop and implement model work health and safety laws as the most effective way to achieve harmonisation in Australia.
The IGA also provides for the establishment of a new independent body to drive the development and implementation of the model work health and safety laws. On 3 April 2009, the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) endorsed the creation of Safe Work Australia.
An independent panel has reviewed work health and safety laws in each state, territory and the Commonwealth and advised WRMC on the optimal structure and content of a model work health and safety Act that can be adopted in all jurisdictions.
The National Occupational Health and Safety Review panel provided two reports making recommendations on the optimal structure and content of a model work health and safety Act.
WRMC made decisions in relation to the National Occupational Health and Safety Review recommendations and provided Safe Work Australia with directions on the scope and content of the Model Work Health and Safety Act in early April 2009.
The above information is a Australian Government initiative and has been put on our website for information purposes for our clients and contractors. More information is available from the Safe Work Australia Website.
Updated: 22/06/2010
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