Amusement ride regulations now in force

The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Amusement Structure) Regulations 2026 commence today, introducing new design and item of plant registration and record keeping requirements for amusement ride operators across the state.

The reforms follow a coronial inquest into the tragic death of six-year-old Eugene Mahauariki, who was fatally injured after being ejected from a ride at a carnival in Rye in April 2017.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said the regulations marked an important step forward for the carnival industry.

"For the first time, WorkSafe will have a complete picture of Victoria's amusements industry and direct contact details for every operator – meaning we can quickly communicate important safety information to the right people when needed," Mr Jenkin said.

"The changes also strengthen our compliance and enforcement work, giving families confidence that every ride operating in Victoria is subject to rigorous oversight and is continuously meeting safety requirements."

Under the new regulations:

• All amusement rides (including older rides) must be design-registered or have a certificate of interstate design recognition before they can operate in Victoria. Previously, design registration in Victoria was only mandatory for rides designed on or after 1 July 1995.
• Recognition of interstate amusement ride design registrations will no longer be automatic. Instead, recognition of interstate designs will occur through a free application process.
• Design registrations or recognitions of interstate design registrations made on or after 29 July 2026 require both the applicant and the person making the design verification statement to reside in Australia.
• All amusement rides (including older rides) must have item-of-plant registration to operate in Victoria. This registration must be renewed annually.
• Every item-of-plant registration or renewal must include an inspection and safety assessment of the ride completed by a competent person – someone who has relevant engineering qualifications and knowledge of the applicable technical standards.
• WorkSafe has the power to refuse an amusement ride registration where necessary information is not provided or where the ride or its design is considered unsafe. WorkSafe has the power to withdraw registrations where false or misleading information has been supplied, or where a ride is later found to be unsafe.
• Duty holders of specified amusement rides must keep operating manuals, maintenance manuals and logbooks with the ride at all times for inspection by WorkSafe.

The new regulations were developed after extensive consultation with industry stakeholders, including amusement ride operators, engineers, peak bodies and safety experts.

Mr Jenkin said feedback gathered throughout the consultation process helped shape the reforms to ensure they strengthen public safety while providing clear, practical and achievable requirements for the industry.

"Early engagement with duty holders ensures they understand the changes and have access to our recently developed guidance materials which cover key dates, how to register and practical safety information," he said.

"We have also invested in upskilling our workforce, with existing inspectors undertaking refresher training on the new requirements and more inspectors being trained in amusement structures."

The new powers build on WorkSafe’s already strong compliance and enforcement work in the industry – with inspectors attending more than 430 events across Victoria to proactively monitor amusement ride safety last financial year.

While the regulations commence today, transitional periods for older rides and item-of-plant registrations are in place to give duty holders more time to align with the new requirements.

Key dates:

• 29 July 2026 – All rides designed on or after 1 July 1995 must be design registered or obtain a certificate of interstate design recognition.
• 30 October 2026 – All duty holders of rides designed after 1 July 1995 must have applied for item of plant registration.
• 1 November 2027 – All rides designed before 1 July 1995 must have either a Victorian design registration or a certificate of interstate recognition; and duty holders must have applied for item of plant registration.