The obligation
From 1 July 2026, s26A of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW) requires PCBUs to comply with applicable Codes of Practice (including Hazardous Manual Tasks) as the minimum standard, or adopt equivalent/higher controls.
Section 26A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) commenced 1 July 2026. It transforms all approved Codes of Practice — including the Hazardous Manual Tasks Code — from advisory guidance into minimum performance standards. PCBUs must either comply with the Code or demonstrate they manage the hazard in a way that is equivalent to or higher than the Code's standard. Courts may rely on the Code to determine what was 'reasonably practicable'.
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- What
- From 1 July 2026, s26A of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW) requires PCBUs to comply with applicable Codes of Practice (including Hazardous Manual Tasks) as the minimum standard, or adopt equivalent/higher controls.
- Source
- safework.nsw.gov.au
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s26A
codes of practice
minimum standard
WHS Act 2011
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Codes of Practice become minimum compliance standard from 1 July 2026 (s26A WHS Act 2011) is a WHS requirement set out in Hazardous manual tasks (NSW). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The relevant provision is Hazardous manual tasks > Legislative framework.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Codes of Practice become minimum compliance standard from 1 July 2026 (s26A WHS Act 2011) is a WHS obligation under Hazardous manual tasks (NSW). In short, From 1 July 2026, s26A of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW) requires PCBUs to comply with applicable Codes of Practice (including Hazardous Manual Tasks) as the minimum standard, or adopt equivalent/higher controls.
What changed recently?
Codes of Practice become minimum compliance standard from 1 July 2026 (s26A WHS Act 2011) was last updated on 3 September 2026.
