Overview
Safe Work Australia (SWA) is developing a model Code of Practice (model Code) which provides practical guidance for employers on how to manage the risks of biological hazards at work.
Biological hazards, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and some types of fungi (like mould), can be found in all industries.The draft model Code is broad in nature and intended to apply to all workplaces covered by the WHS laws where there is a risk to workers or others of exposure to one or more biological hazards.
The draft model Code has been developed with the support of Safe Work Australia Members and other subject matter experts. This consultation seeks to gain a wide range of views on the draft model Code. Responses from this consultation will be used to further refine the draft Code to ensure:
the format and detail included in the draft Code provides an appropriate level of guidance, and
the draft Code is broadly applicable across all industries.
Safe Work Australia welcomes submissions from all interested stakeholders, including duty holders, regulators, government agencies, unions, workers, legal professionals, researchers, employer representatives, employers, members of the public and other parties.
Please support your views with evidence or data where possible. There is no obligation to answer any or all of the questions, and there is no limit to the length of submissions. You can raise any matter relevant to the draft model Code.
If you are unable to lodge your submission using the Consultation Hub, please email occhygiene@swa.gov.au.
Respondents may choose how their submission is published on the Consultation hub by choosing from the following options:
submission published
submission published anonymously, or
submission not published
For further information on the publication of submissions on the Consultation Hub, please refer to the Consultation Hub privacy information and the Safe Work Australia Privacy Policy.
Next steps
Once the consultation period has closed, stakeholders may be contacted for further information or to clarify information provided in submissions. Safe Work Australia will use the feedback received to update the draft model Code for the consideration of Safe Work Australia Members.
If agreed by Safe Work Australia Members the draft model Code will be provided to the Commonwealth, state and territory WHS ministers for approval. If approved, it will become a model Code of Practice. It is expected this process will be finalised at the beginning of 2026.
To have effect in a jurisdiction, a model Code of Practice must be approved as a code of practice by the WHS Minister in that jurisdiction. Your WHS regulator can provide information on the process for this in your jurisdiction.