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Employee representation: A comprehensive guide to Part 7 of the OHS Act

Employee representation is a way to involve employees and give them a voice in health and safety matters.

About the guide

The guide helps employees and employers understand the role, powers and entitlements of health and safety representatives (HSRs).

It also includes:

  • an overview of other representative bodies, including health and safety committees and designated work groups established under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act)
  • a range of related information and tools.

The guide is available:

When reading the guide online, be aware that it comprises all the pages below. Use the navigation tool on each page to move through the various parts in turn and understand where you are in the guide.

Introduction and a note on consultation  

Information about the purpose of the Employee representation guide and the legal duty of an employer to consult with HSRs.

Abbreviations and glossary of terms  

Definitions of abbreviations and terms used in the Employee representation guide.

Establishing and negotiating designated work groups  

Information about designated work groups (DWGs), including establishing and negotiating DWGs in workplaces operated by single and multiple employers.

Election of health and safety representatives  

Information about the election of health and safety representatives (HSRs).

Powers of health and safety representatives  

Information about the powers of health and safety representatives (HSRs).

Obligations of an employer to health and safety representatives  

Information about employers' obligations to health and safety representatives (HSRs).

Health and safety committees  

Information about health and safety committees (HSCs).

Resolution of health and safety issues  

Information about resolving health and safety issues and issue resolution procedures.

Discrimination  

Discriminating against employees who are or who have been health and safety representatives (HSRs) or health and safety committee (HSC) members is illegal.

Employee representation: Guide to Part 7 of the OHS Act 2004 (PDF version)  

Information about Part 7 of the OHS Act, which provides for representation of employees through various means.

Related information

Consultation guide for employers  

Health and safety representatives (HSRs)  

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004  

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017