From 1 December 2026, Safe Work Australia’s Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list will replace the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) list and become the nationally recognised reference for airborne contaminants in the workplace.
Workplace Exposure Limits
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Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the new workplace exposure limits, what they mean for your workplace and how to prepare for the changes.
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Airborne contaminants
Learn more about airborne contaminants in the workplace, including the health risks associated with dusts, fumes, fibres, gases and vapours, and the steps you can take to protect workers' health.
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Managing the risks
Learn how to protect workers from airborne contaminants, including reviewing and improving control measures, prioritising higher-order controls, conducting air monitoring when exposure risks are uncertain, and implementing health monitoring where required.
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Agriculture
Learn more about identifying airborne contaminants on farms and the practical steps to assess and control worker exposure.
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Construction
Learn more about identifying airborne contaminants on construction sites and the practical steps to assess and control worker exposure.
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Manufacturing
Learn more about identifying airborne contaminants in the manufacturing industry and the practical steps to assess and control worker exposure.
Arrangements in Queensland
Most WELs apply in Queensland from 1 December 2026. However, transition arrangements for 15 substances will apply in Queensland until 1 December 2029. The 15 substances include:
- bitumen fumes
- diesel particulate matter (DPM), measured as respirable elemental carbon
- flour dust
- grain dust
- hydrogen fluoride
- manganese fume, dust and compounds
- methyl bromide
- nickel metal, powder and nickel sulphide roasting (fume and dust)
- nitric oxide
- perchloroethylene
- phosphine
- Portland cement
- styrene monomer
- sulphur dioxide
- wood dust (softwood).
For flour dust, no limit applies until 1 December 2029. For diesel particulate matter (measured as respirable elemental carbon), a time weighted average of 0.1mg/m³ applies until 1 December 2029.
For all other substances, the workplace exposure standard (WES) continues to apply until 1 December 2029.
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Resources
Resources to learn more about Workplace Exposure Limits and help you understand your obligations.