Public consultation on high risk plant at premises other than workplaces—discussion paper

Proposed amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Consultation has closed on the ‘high risk plant’ at premises other than workplaces discussion paper. Feedback was sought on the proposed changes to inform amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation). Please see the discussion paper below for more information.

Consultation information

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and WHS Regulation apply to certain types of ‘high risk plant’ affecting public safety even if the plant is not situated, operated or used at a workplace or used for carrying out work.

From 29 March 2026, the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 will amend the WHS Act to allow ‘high risk plant’ to be prescribed by regulation instead of being prescribed in Schedule 1 of the WHS Act. This allows greater flexibility in updating definitions and addresses the issue of having the same types of plant defined differently in the WHS Act and WHS Regulation.