WHS Codes of Practice and guidance material in NSW

This information sheet outlines what codes of practice and guidance material are, your obligations to comply with a code of practice, and the codes you should be aware of relevant to residential building work in NSW.

What is a Code of Practice and guidance material?

A Code of Practice is a guide to achieving the standard of health, safety and welfare for a particular area of work, or task. They detail ways to identify and manage risks and assist anyone with a duty of care under work health and safety (WHS) laws to achieve compliance.  Each Code of Practice is approved by the relevant minister.

Guidance material, such as fact sheets, guides and safety alerts, provide more detailed information on the requirements of statutes, regulations, standards and codes in relation to particular tasks and activities or in the operation of specific plant and equipment.

Are codes of practice mandatory?

From 1 July 2026, 'persons conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBUs) must comply with an approved Code of Practice and may only depart from it and manage hazards and risks in a different way if that alternative method provides an equivalent or higher standard of WHS than the Code.

Codes will no longer be guidance but instead legally enforceable minimum standards.

Guidance material should also be used where relevant, but it does not have the same status as an approved Code of Practice. These resources usually supplement codes or break down concepts into practical guidance materials and tools to help a PCBU meet their safety obligations. 

What different Codes of Practice are there? 

As a minimum, you should obtain and know the following Codes if you work in the residential building industry: 

• Code of Practice: Construction work - provides guidance to principal contractors and other PBCUs who carry out construction work on how to meet the health and safety requirements under the WHS laws relating to construction work. It includes guidance on amenities requirements, preparation of SWMS, safety management plans, high risk construction work and designer duties.
• Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls in housing construction - provides guidance on how to eliminate, or if that is not possible, minimise the risk of falls from height in housing construction.
• Code of Practice: Excavation work - provides guidance on preventing cave-in and collapse in all workplaces where excavation and associated earthworks are performed including bulk excavations more than 1.5 metres deep, trenches, shafts and tunnels.
• Code of Practice: Moving plant on construction sites - provides guidance on managing risks associated with plant in the workplace.
• Code of Practice: Demolition work - provides guidance on how to manage the health and safety risks associated with the demolition work.
• Code of Practice: Work near overhead and underground electric lines - provides guidance on how to manage risks to health and safety associated with working near overhead and underground electric lines (commonly referred to as power lines).
• Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos - provides guidance for PCBUs who have duties to safely remove asbestos from all workplaces including structures, plant and equipment.
• Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work - provides guidance on identifying and managing psychosocial hazards and risks to psychological and physical health and safety at work.

Other approved Codes may also apply to specific activities, such as first aid, WHS consultation, coordination and cooperation, and WHS risk management. Review the library of approved codes of practice on SafeWork’s website.

What different guidance material is available? 

SafeWork NSW has a hub of safety information on construction-related hazards, including the following resources and tools:

• Erecting, altering and dismantling prefabricated steel modular scaffolding
• Masonry wall safety during construction work
• Safe Working At Heights 
• Safety and Security Fencing for Construction Sites
• Housing Industry Site Safety Pack

You can access these resources on the building and construction page on the SafeWork website.

How can HIA assist?

HIA has dedicated resources and tools to help you manage safety on site, including articles, templates and training

The above is intended to provide general information in summary form. The content does not constitute specific advice and should not be relied upon as such. Formal advice should be sought by members and customers with respect to particular matters before taking action.