Free tool
Do I need a SWMS for this job?
Pick your state and tick the work on site. In 30 seconds you'll know whether you need a SWMS, a site-specific induction and a WHS management plan, plus what to keep. Every state and territory.
Checked against the Acts and Regulations themselves. NSW, Victoria, Queensland and WA answers come from each state’s own Act and Regulations, read on 15 October 2026. SA, Tasmania, the NT and the ACT follow the model WHS laws, and we flag anything to confirm with NSW · VIC · QLD · SA · WA · TAS · NT · ACT.
SWMS and site induction questions
- When do I need a SWMS?
- A Safe Work Method Statement is legally required for high risk construction work: 18 categories including any risk of a fall over 2 metres, trenches deeper than 1.5 metres, work near energised electrical services, disturbing asbestos, moving powered mobile plant and work next to live traffic. If none of those apply, a SWMS isn't the required format, though you still have to manage the risks.
- Can I use a JSA instead of a SWMS?
- Not for high risk construction work. The SWMS is the only one of SWMS, JSA, JSEA and SOP that is defined in law. A JSA can sit alongside it, but it can't replace it.
- Is a site induction a legal requirement?
- In Victoria, yes: OHS Regulations 2017 r 330 requires site-specific training, with no housing exemption. Queensland requires one before construction work other than housing construction work. The other states have no stand-alone rule, but the duty to give workers information, training and instruction (WHS Act s 19(3)(f) and WHS Regulation 39) is how regulators expect it to be met.
- Does a white card cover the site induction?
- No. The white card is general construction induction training. It doesn't expire, but it isn't a substitute for instruction about the specific site and task.
- What changed in South Australia in 2026?
- On 1 July 2026 South Australia lowered its fall threshold for high risk construction work from 3 metres to 2 metres, in line with the other harmonised states.
- How long should I keep SWMS and induction records?
- Outside Victoria, keep a SWMS until the high risk work is finished, and for at least 2 years if there's a notifiable incident connected with it. Victoria requires it for the duration of the work. No law sets a period for induction records, so 5 years, matching the notifiable incident record period, is the safe benchmark.
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