NSW WHS Laws: Major Changes Every PCBU Needs to Know in 2025

Posted on: 13 August 2025

⚠️ Major WHS law changes have come into effect in New South Wales as of June 2025, impacting all Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) in the construction and safety sectors.

Key changes every business should know

• ✅ Codes of Practice are now legally binding — unless you can demonstrate you’re using an alternative method that achieves an equal or higher level of safety.
• ✅ Mandatory notifications introduced — PCBUs must now notify SafeWork NSW whenever a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) is issued by a Health and Safety Representative (HSR).
• ✅ Expanded WHS dispute resolution powers — The NSW Industrial Relations Commission now has the authority to hear and resolve WHS disputes, including issuing binding orders.

These reforms aim to tighten compliance and increase accountability across all worksites in NSW — particularly in high-risk construction work.

“These changes are about ensuring safer workplaces and holding PCBUs to a higher standard of risk management.” — SafeWork NSW Regulatory Summary, June 2025

What this means for your SWMS

Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are already mandatory for high-risk construction work. But now, they must be kept up to date with the latest regulatory expectations — including references to legally binding Codes of Practice.

Failure to comply with these new duties can result in penalties, stop work orders, or legal action.

Stay compliant with SWMS Generator

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Don’t get caught out by regulatory changes. Stay ahead of WHS compliance with a fast, reliable SWMS solution.

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