WHS Law · 28 September 2026
NSW Codes of Practice are now legally binding
From 1 July 2026, WHS Codes of Practice in NSW became legally binding. Here is what that means for your business.
The NSW Government announced that Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice became legally binding from 1 July 2026.
Codes of Practice give practical guidance on managing specific risks, such as working at heights, hazardous manual tasks, confined spaces and managing psychosocial hazards.
For businesses, this means the Codes are no longer just helpful guidance. Read the official announcement for exactly how compliance is assessed.
What this means for you
- Identify which Codes of Practice apply to your work.
- Compare your procedures with each relevant Code.
- Train supervisors so they know what the Codes require.
Sources
This article summarises the following public sources in our own words. Read them for full details.
General information only, not legal advice. Check requirements with your state or territory WHS regulator.