> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.whsbrief.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Monthly Roundup — August 2026 - URL: https://www.whsbrief.com/monthly-roundup-august-2026/ - Published: 2026-08-31T23:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-02T03:53:57.000Z - Author: WHS Brief - Tags: roundup Work Health & Safety — Monthly Roundup # Monthly Roundup — August 2026 Everything published in the WHS Legislative Brief during August 2026, condensed into one read. Five weekly editions across nine Australian jurisdictions plus New Zealand, Standards and the courts — reduced to the changes that mattered. August 2026 — Weeks 32 to 36 9 AU jurisdictions + NZ, Standards & Courts ## Week 32 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **National —** The amended Heavy Vehicle National Law commenced 1 August, introducing a new "unfit to drive" duty covering injury, illness, stress and mental illness — not just fatigue. - **New Zealand —** The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill received Royal Assent on 9 July — NZ's biggest WHS overhaul since 2015, refocusing duties on critical risks. Commences 1 April 2027. - **In the Courts —** The reconstituted Industrial Court of NSW handed down its first conviction after a contested WHS trial, over a Port Macquarie trench collapse. NSW — In force from 1 Jul 2026 ### [Codes of Practice become legally enforceable](https://global.lockton.com/au/en/news-insights/enforceable-codes-of-practice-what-expanded-whs-obligations-mean-for-nsw-organisations?ref=whsbrief.com) Comply with the relevant code, or demonstrate controls of an equivalent or higher standard. National — Guidance released 30 Jul 2026 ### [New airborne contaminants guidance sets a first diesel limit](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/airborne-contaminants?ref=whsbrief.com) Australia's first workplace exposure limit for diesel particulate matter, ahead of the 1 December 2026 WEL transition. VIC — In force from 1 Jul 2026 ### [New restrictions on NDAs in workplace sexual harassment matters](https://hallandwilcox.com.au/news/workplace-sexual-harassment-victorias-new-rules-for-non-disclosure-agreements/?ref=whsbrief.com) Limits on how confidentiality terms can be used to settle sexual harassment complaints. ## Week 33 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **In the Courts —** WorkSafe WA fined AR Constructions a record $1.75 million, the highest penalty ever under WA's workplace safety laws, after a worker was fatally struck by a falling steel column lifted on a non-compliant device. - **South Australia —** SafeWork SA's 2024-25 Activity Report recorded the highest number of WHS convictions in over a decade, 18 convictions and $2.37 million in fines, a clear sign enforcement is intensifying. - **National —** The amended Heavy Vehicle National Law's new "unfit to drive" duty is now fully in force, reinforced by an NHVR warning after a brake-drum failure exposed industry-wide maintenance gaps. National — Budget-funded, rollout underway ### [Mandatory WHS standards set to become free to access](https://www.design.org.au/dianews/budget-202627-free-access-to-australian-standards-confirmed?ref=whsbrief.com) Federal budget support confirmed for sponsored access to standards called up in law. NSW — Regulatory Statement released ### [SafeWork NSW sets its 2026-27 compliance priorities](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-redefines-its-priorities-in-new-2026-27-regulatory-statement?ref=whsbrief.com) A new regulatory statement signalling where inspectors will focus over the year ahead. ACT — Investigation concluded, Aug 2026 ### [Enforceable undertaking after a CIT student's finger was severed](https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9323483/cit-students-finger-severed-worksafe-investigation-ongoing/?ref=whsbrief.com) WorkSafe ACT accepted an undertaking over an injury sustained during work at Floriade. ## Week 34 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **In the Courts —** Mastermyne Crinum Operations was convicted of industrial manslaughter and fined $7 million plus $300,000 in costs, the largest WHS penalty ever imposed in Australia. - **South Australia —** SafeWork SA has named the defendants in the state's first industrial manslaughter prosecution, manufacturer Nylastex Tooling, its holding company and two directors. - **Victoria —** Parliament has passed the Dangerous Goods reform Bills, the biggest change to Victoria's dangerous goods framework in more than 40 years. National — Undertaking accepted, Aug 2026 ### [Comcare accepts a $1.1m enforceable undertaking from the Royal Australian Mint](https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/news/undertaking-to-deliver-safety-overhaul-at-mint?ref=whsbrief.com) A funded safety overhaul accepted in place of prosecution. WA — Prosecution discontinued ### [WorkSafe WA drops its landmark psychosocial prosecution](https://cartercapner.com.au/work-accident-feed/worksafe-wa-drops-landmark-psychological-harm-case-against-justice-department/?ref=whsbrief.com) The state's first psychological harm case against the Justice Department discontinued. QLD — Bills introduced to Parliament ### [Violent incidents to become notifiable, plus a Respect@Work positive duty](https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Bills-and-Legislation/Bills-before-the-House?ref=whsbrief.com) A Bill before Parliament would expand incident notification and import a positive duty on sexual harassment. ## Week 35 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **National —** Safe Work Australia's consultation on health and air monitoring for hazardous chemicals closes 21 September 2026, ahead of the Workplace Exposure Limits switch on 1 December. - **Australian Capital Territory —** The workplace exposure standard for aluminium welding fumes falls from 5 mg/m3 to 1 mg/m3 from 9 September 2026, a fivefold tightening. - **Victoria —** A Bill before Parliament would add civil penalties to the OHS Act and create a new aggravated offence for serious section 21 employer duty breaches. National — In force from 1 Jul 2026 ### [Commonwealth WHS Act penalties indexed up 4 per cent for 2026-27](https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/news/increases-in-whs-act-penalty-amounts?ref=whsbrief.com) Higher maximum penalties now apply to Commonwealth-regulated PCBUs. QLD — Lift provisions from 29 Mar 2026 ### [Work Health and Safety (High Risk Plant) Amendment Regulation 2026](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/work-health-and-safety-high-risk-plant-amendment-regulation-2026?ref=whsbrief.com) Changes to registration and duties for high risk plant. SA — Fined $60,000 — 7 Aug 2026 ### [AGL fined after five workers recorded elevated blood lead levels](https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/news-and-alerts/news/news/2025new/agl-fined-$60,000-after-workers-exposed-to-lead?ref=whsbrief.com) A timely enforcement marker while the model lead regulations are under review. ## Week 36 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **National —** The Greta bus rollover prosecution landed on 26 August with $650,000 in fines and personal convictions for both directors, the strongest authority yet on Heavy Vehicle National Law executive duties. - **National —** Consultation on the model lead regulations closed 24 August, with options to lower the blood lead thresholds that trigger health monitoring, worker removal and notification. - **South Australia —** The high risk construction work fall threshold dropped from three metres to two on 1 July, pulling far more residential work into mandatory SWMS territory. National — Charge filed, announced 27 Aug 2026 ### [John Holland charged over a six-metre fall at Helensburgh Reservoir](https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/news/john-holland-charged-over-reservoir-fall?ref=whsbrief.com) Comcare has commenced proceedings following a fall from height on a major contractor's site. VIC — Fined $630,000 — 24 Aug 2026 ### [Two companies fined a combined $630,000 after a boom lift crushing death](https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2026-08/two-companies-fined-630000-after-workers-death?ref=whsbrief.com) Penalties shared between principal and subcontractor over overlapping duties. NT — Three new, seven updated codes ### [New codes of practice on silica, healthcare and fatigue](https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice?ref=whsbrief.com) Three new approved codes covering the Territory's highest-profile risk areas. This roundup condenses a month of coverage into the headlines. For the full detail on any item — what it means and what to do about it — and for every change as it happens rather than once a month, subscribe to the full weekly brief at [whsbrief.com/brief](https://www.whsbrief.com/brief/).