Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) — General High-Risk Construction Work

Issuing authority

Safe Work Australia (model); enforced by state/territory WHS regulators (WorkSafe VIC, SafeWork NSW, SafeWork SA, WorkSafe QLD, NT WorkSafe, WorkSafe WA, etc.)

Official source

How to apply

1. Determine whether the planned construction work falls within one or more of the 19 categories of high-risk construction work under the WHS Regulation (e.g. fall risk >2 m, excavation >1.5 m, asbestos disturbance, demolition, confined spaces, tilt-up concrete, tunnelling, working near traffic, explosives use, diving, and others).
2. Assemble the relevant workers, health and safety representatives, and supervisors at or before the work location to collaboratively develop the SWMS.
3. Document the specific high-risk work activities to be performed and identify all associated hazards and risks at the particular site.
4. Specify the risk control measures to be applied for each identified hazard, in accordance with the hierarchy of controls.
5. Record the implementation processes: who is responsible for each control, how controls will be monitored, and under what circumstances the SWMS will be reviewed.
6. Make the completed SWMS available at the workplace before work commences — all workers performing the HRCW must be able to access and understand it.
7. Download and use the relevant state regulator's template (e.g. WorkSafe VIC interactive template at worksafe.vic.gov.au, or Safe Work Australia's Interactive SWMS Guidance Tool at safeworkaustralia.gov.au) as a starting framework, then customise for the site.
8. Cease work immediately if the HRCW is not being performed in accordance with the SWMS; update the SWMS before recommencing.
9. Review and update the SWMS whenever work processes, site conditions, or risk controls change during the project.

Related topics

Related forms

• Building Permit Application (Multi-state: VIC Form 1 / WA BA1 & BA2 / QLD Building Approval / NSW Development Application)VIC: Form 1 (Application for a Building Permit); NSW: DA form via NSW Planning Portal; QLD: No fixed form number — lodged with private certifier or council; WA: BA1 (certified) / BA2 (uncertified)
• Occupancy Permit / Occupation Certificate (Multi-state: VIC Form 15/16 / NSW OC / QLD Form 11)VIC: Form 15 (Application for Occupancy Permit) + Form 16 (Occupancy Permit); NSW: Occupation Certificate (no fixed form number — lodged via NSW Planning Portal); QLD: Form 11 (Certificate/Interim Certificate of Occupancy, replacing certificate of classification from October 2020)
• Owner-Builder Permit / Licence — QLD, WA, SA, ACT and NTQLD: Owner-Builder Permit Application Form (form-ob-permit-application.pdf); WA: Form 75 (Approval — Owner-builder, updated; old version invalid from 1 June 2026); SA: CBS Online Form (via cbs.sa.gov.au/online-forms); ACT: Application for Construction Occupation Licence — Individual Owner Builder (forms.act.gov.au form code 1166); NT: Owner Builder Application Form (bpb.nt.gov.au)
• Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) Certificate of Insurance — NSW / Domestic Building Insurance Certificate — VIC / Home Indemnity Insurance Certificate — WA / QBCC Home Warranty Insurance
• Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) — NSW