In Australia, a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is generally used across states and territories to describe a document that outlines high-risk construction work and how risks will be controlled. However, some states may refer to it with slight variations or incorporate it under broader safety regulations.
Here’s how it’s referred to across Australia:
| State/Territory | SWMS Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | Standard term used for high-risk construction activities. Required under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017. |
| Victoria (VIC) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | Commonly used term for high-risk construction work, regulated under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations 2017. |
| Queensland (QLD) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | SWMS is the standard term under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, covering high-risk construction tasks. |
| South Australia (SA) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | Used for high-risk work activities, in line with South Australia’s WHS regulations. |
| Western Australia (WA) | Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or SWMS | SWMS is common, but Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is also frequently used, especially for non-construction high-risk tasks. |
| Tasmania (TAS) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | Standard term used under the WHS Regulations 2012, with the same requirements for high-risk construction work. |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | Required for high-risk construction work as per the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) | Used consistently with the national model, covering high-risk construction work requirements under WHS legislation. |
In practice, the SWMS is the standard terminology nationwide for high-risk construction work. In Western Australia, though, Job Safety Analysis (JSA) may be used interchangeably with SWMS, particularly outside the construction industry.
Find the right SWMS for you
Other SWMS templates
- Ceiling Installation SWMS
- Concrete Pouring SWMS
- Confined Spaces SWMS
- Drywall Installation SWMS
- Electrical Testing and Tagging SWMS
- Electrical Work in Bathroom SWMS
- Elevated Work Platform (EWP) SWMS
- Excavation and Trenching SWMS
- Formwork and Falsework SWMS
- Gas Installation and Maintenance SWMS
- Glazing SWMS
- Hazardous Substances SWMS
- Landscaping and Groundworks SWMS
- Lighting Installation SWMS
- Manual Handling SWMS
- Paving and Asphalt Laying SWMS
- Pest Control SWMS
- Pile Driving SWMS
- Scaffolding Erection and Dismantling SWMS
- Sewerage and Drainage Works SWMS
- Site Clearing and Earthmoving SWMS
- Solar Panel Installation SWMS
- Steel Erection SWMS
- Swimming Pool Construction SWMS
- Tiling SWMS
- Traffic Management SWMS
- Tree Lopping and Vegetation Management SWMS
- Waterproofing SWMS
- Window Cleaning SWMS
SWMS made easy
Safe Work Method Statement templates and tools for small aussie trade businesses.