;%20}%20%3c/style%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clippath'%3e%3crect%20class='cls-2'%20width='18.58'%20height='19'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3cg%20id='Layer_2-2'%20data-name='Layer_2'%3e%3cg%20id='Layer_1-2'%3e%3cg%20class='cls-3'%3e%3cpath%20class='cls-1'%20d='M11.06,8.04L17.98,0h-1.64l-6.01,6.98L5.53,0H0l7.25,10.56L0,18.99h1.64l6.34-7.37,5.07,7.37h5.53l-7.52-10.95h0ZM8.81,10.65l-.74-1.05L2.23,1.23h2.52l4.72,6.75.73,1.05,6.14,8.78h-2.52l-5.01-7.16h0Z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Preliminary – Overview of OHS Act purpose and principles
InfoAn overview of the OHS Act purpose and principles of health and safety protection.
Summary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
A handbook for workplaces (Edition No. 3 March 2025).
Aim of the summary
This booklet provides a summary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act).
It gives a summary of duties and rights under the OHS Act to all people who have health and safety duties or roles, including:
- employers
- self-employed people
- people who manage or control workplaces
- employees
- independent contractors
- health and safety representatives
- suppliers, designers and manufacturers.
While this summary was written to help people understand what the OHS Act requires of them, it is not a legal document or a replacement for the OHS Act. People should read this booklet together with the OHS Act.
To help readers, there are cross-references to specific sections of the OHS Act after each heading in the summary (for example, section 21, sections 91–94).
The glossary includes definitions from the OHS Act and other useful terms and abbreviations used in this summary.
To get a copy of the OHS Act, visit www.legislation.vic.gov.au or call TIMG Bookshop at 03 8621 6767.
Info
WorkSafe functions and powers
InfoProvides details of the functions and powers of WorkSafe, including obtaining information, making guidelines, accepting undertakings for contraventions, and providing compliance advice.
Info
General OHS Duties
InfoOverview of general duties of employers, employees and other persons.
Info
Consultation with employees
InfoOverview on how employers must consult with employees and labor hire workers.
Info
Representation of employees
InfoOverview on designated work groups and health and safety representatives.
Info
Authorised representatives of registered employee organisations
InfoOverview of Authorised representatives of registered employee organisations powers and right of entry.
Info
Incidents
InfoOutlines how and when to notify WorkSafe of an incident.
Info
Licences, registrations and permits
InfoOverview of requirements for obtaining licences, registrations, permits and certificates of competency.
Info
Inspectors and enforcement
InfoOverview on the roles and responsibilities of WorkSafe Inspectors.
Info
Review of decisions
InfoOutlines the process for reviewing decisions made by WorkSafe.
Info
Legal proceedings and sentencing options
InfoOverview of legal proceedings and prohibitions on insurance and indemnity for pecuniary penalties.
Info
Compliance codes
InfoInformation about the purpose of WorkSafes compliance codes and how to access.
Info
Other matters
InfoOutlines various responsibilities and requirements for non-WorkCover employers.
Info
Glossary
InfoPDF version
Document
Summary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004: A handbook for workplaces
DocumentDuties and rights under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act (Edition No. 3 March 2025).