The obligation
NSW WHS Act s.26A commenced 1 July 2026, making approved Codes of Practice — including Safe Design of Structures — the minimum performance standard PCBUs must comply with or meet by an equivalent or higher standard.
From 1 July 2026, section 26A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) requires PCBUs to comply with approved Codes of Practice or manage hazards and risks in a way that is equivalent or higher than the Code's standard. This lifts Codes from guidance documents to enforceable minimum standards. For the Safe Design of Structures Code, PCBUs who design structures for workplaces must now demonstrably meet or exceed the Code's requirements.
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- What
- NSW WHS Act s.26A commenced 1 July 2026, making approved Codes of Practice — including Safe Design of Structures — the minimum performance standard PCBUs must comply with or meet by an equivalent or higher standard.
- Source
- safework.nsw.gov.au
description
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codes-of-practice
pcbu-duty
s26a
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Mandatory compliance with Codes of Practice (WHS Act s.26A) from 1 July 2026 is a WHS requirement set out in Safe design of structures (NSW). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The relevant provision is Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) > s.26A > Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice § s.26A.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Mandatory compliance with Codes of Practice (WHS Act s.26A) from 1 July 2026 is a WHS obligation under Safe design of structures (NSW). In short, NSW WHS Act s.26A commenced 1 July 2026, making approved Codes of Practice — including Safe Design of Structures — the minimum performance standard PCBUs must comply with or meet by an equivalent or higher standard.
What changed recently?
Mandatory compliance with Codes of Practice (WHS Act s.26A) from 1 July 2026 was last updated on 13 August 2026.
