Health and safety law changes take effect

What’s happening

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026 makes small businesses (fewer than 20 workers) focus on critical risks and requires larger ones to put critical risks first. It also clarifies officers' governance duties and treats following an approved code of practice as compliance. A psychosocial hazard can count as a critical risk if it is likely to cause a notifiable mental health injury or illness.

What to do

Map your critical risks, including psychosocial ones, confirm whether you are a small or large business under the Act, and use WorkSafe's guidance (released in stages since September 2026) to update your safety system before April 1.

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