Aged Care Worker WHS SWMS
WHS management for aged care workers — manual handling, client aggression, biological exposures, fatigue, lone working, and psychological safety.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Aged care work involves a complex intersection of physical, biological, and psychosocial hazards that place workers at significantly elevated risk of injury and illness. Workers performing personal care, transfers, medication administration, palliative support, and behaviour management are exposed to manual handling strain, infectious agents, occupational violence from cognitively impaired residents, fatigue from shift rotations, and chronic psychological stress. Safe Work Australia data consistently identifies the health care and social assistance sector — particularly residential aged care — as having the highest serious workers' compensation claim rate in Australia, with body stressing and mental health conditions dominating claims.
Under the model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and corresponding state variants (with Comcare jurisdiction applying to providers covered under the SRC Act), the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) operating an aged care service owes a primary duty of care under section 19 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons. This duty is reinforced by the WHS Regulation 2025 obligations to manage musculoskeletal disorder risks (Part 4.2), hazardous chemical exposure, and — following the 2022/2023 amendments — explicit duties to manage psychosocial hazards.
A Safe Work Method Statement is a critical risk control document for aged care providers. While aged care is not classified as High Risk Construction Work, a documented SWMS is required to demonstrate compliance with section 19 primary duties, the consultation requirements under sections 47–49, and the psychosocial hazard management duties under WHS Regulation 55A–55D. It also supports compliance with the Aged Care Quality Standards (Standard 8 — Organisational Governance) and is routinely requested by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission during audits.
Hazards identified
13 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Acute lumbar disc injury, chronic musculoskeletal disorders, shoulder rotator cuff tears requiring surgery and extended time off work
Physical injury from hitting, biting, scratching; psychological trauma; PTSD; loss of confidence returning to work
Infection with blood-borne viruses (HIV, Hep B, Hep C), gastrointestinal illness, skin sensitisation
Acute respiratory illness, hospitalisation, long-term post-viral conditions, transmission to family members
Medication errors, slips/trips, motor vehicle accidents driving home, chronic sleep disorders, cardiovascular impacts
Delayed emergency response if injured, increased vulnerability to assault, psychological isolation
Compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety disorders, vicarious trauma, suicide risk
Anxiety, depression, resignation, increased turnover, psychological injury claims
Fractures (especially wrist, hip), head injuries, soft tissue sprains
Needlestick injury with risk of HIV, Hep B and Hep C seroconversion, prolonged post-exposure monitoring
Occupational asthma, contact dermatitis, chemical burns, reproductive harm from cytotoxics
Verbal abuse, physical assault, psychological harm, complaints-related stress
Motor vehicle collisions, whiplash injuries, fatalities while travelling between clients
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Implement a no-lift / minimal-lift policy with mandatory use of mechanical hoists, slide sheets, sit-to-stand lifters and ceiling tracks for any resident assessed as requiring assistance, in line with the Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
- 2Complete and review individual resident manual handling risk assessments on admission and after any change in condition, documenting required equipment and number of staff
- 3Apply Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions per the NHMRC Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, including fit-tested P2/N95 respirators for airborne precautions
- 4Provide and enforce use of PPE: gloves, gowns, eye protection, surgical and P2 masks, with documented annual respirator fit testing per AS/NZS 1715:2009
- 5Implement behaviour support plans for residents with BPSD, including documented triggers, de-escalation strategies, and minimum two-staff approach for known high-risk care episodes
- 6Provide accredited training in Managing Aggressive and Violent Behaviour (MAVB) or equivalent, with annual refreshers and post-incident debriefing
- 7Establish lone worker monitoring with duress alarms, GPS-enabled mobile devices, scheduled check-ins, and a documented escalation protocol for missed contacts
- 8Roster design that limits consecutive night shifts to a maximum of four, mandates minimum 10-hour breaks between shifts, and avoids quick-return rosters in line with Safe Work Australia fatigue guidance
- 9Implement a psychosocial hazard management program addressing the 14 hazards identified in the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice, including workload review and EAP access
- 10Provide structured clinical supervision, peer support and post-incident psychological first aid following resident deaths, assaults or critical incidents
- 11Maintain sharps safety with engineered safety devices, point-of-use sharps containers compliant with AS 4031, and a documented post-exposure protocol including HIV PEP access within 72 hours
- 12Conduct environmental audits to identify slip/trip hazards, ensure non-slip flooring in wet areas, and implement immediate spill response procedures
- 13Provide hepatitis B vaccination, annual influenza vaccination and other recommended immunisations free of charge per the Australian Immunisation Handbook
- 14Establish a Code Black response procedure with trained responders for visitor/family aggression, with documented post-incident reporting via the WHS incident management system
Applicable Codes of Practice
Provides the approved methodology for assessing and controlling manual handling risks during resident transfers, repositioning and personal care
Mandates risk management of the 14 psychosocial hazards including high emotional demands, exposure to traumatic events and occupational violence — all prevalent in aged care
Establishes the hierarchy of controls and consultation framework underpinning the SWMS
Required where multiple PCBUs share aged care facilities (e.g. agency staff, allied health providers, contracted cleaners)
National benchmark for Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions, hand hygiene and PPE selection in aged care
Governs P2/N95 respirator fit testing program required for airborne precautions
Specifies the design and use of sharps containers for insulin pens, lancets and needles
Requires effective risk management systems including workforce safety, audited by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Who this is for
- →Residential aged care facility operators and approved providers under the Aged Care Act 1997
- →Home care package providers and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) operators
- →Personal care workers, assistants in nursing (AINs) and registered/enrolled nurses delivering direct resident care
- →Aged care facility managers, clinical care coordinators and WHS officers responsible for safe systems of work
- →Agency and labour-hire PCBUs supplying staff to aged care settings who share consultation duties under section 46
- →Allied health practitioners (physiotherapists, OTs, podiatrists) working in aged care environments
What you receive
- ✓Fully editable Microsoft Word (DOCX) SWMS template ready for site-specific customisation
- ✓State-specific legislation schedule covering NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT and Comcare jurisdictions
- ✓Comprehensive hazard register with 13 pre-identified aged care hazards, risk ratings and hierarchy-based controls
- ✓Worker sign-on register meeting WHS Regulation consultation evidence requirements
- ✓Resident-specific manual handling assessment template
- ✓Behaviour support plan reference template for residents with BPSD
- ✓Psychosocial hazard risk assessment aligned with the Managing Psychosocial Hazards Code of Practice
- ✓Post-incident debrief and notification flowchart referencing section 38 notifiable incident criteria
- ✓PDF guidance notes for facility managers on implementing and reviewing the SWMS
Worked example
Maria is an experienced AIN working a 2pm–10pm shift at a 90-bed residential aged care facility in regional Victoria. Her allocated residents include Mr H, an 84-year-old with advanced dementia who has a documented history of striking out during showering. Before commencing the evening care round, Maria reviews the SWMS at handover with her shift coordinator, confirms Mr H's behaviour support plan requires a two-person approach with a same-gender preference, and verifies the ceiling hoist in his room has been serviced. She dons appropriate PPE, follows the documented de-escalation script, and uses the slide sheet and hoist for the transfer rather than a manual lift. Mid-shift, Mr H attempts to strike Maria's colleague during continence care. They disengage following the SWMS-defined withdrawal procedure, document the incident in the facility's WHS incident system within the required timeframe, and Maria's coordinator initiates a post-incident debrief and reviews the behaviour support plan. Because the SWMS clearly documented the controls, training, and escalation pathway — and because Maria's consultation and sign-on were recorded — the provider is able to demonstrate to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and WorkSafe Victoria that reasonably practicable controls were in place, satisfying their primary duty under section 19 and psychosocial duties under WHS Regulation 55B.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth model) and state variants — NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, ACT, NT, WA (WHS Act 2020), VIC (OHS Act 2004)
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 — including Part 4.2 (Hazardous Manual Tasks) and psychosocial hazard provisions (reg 55A–55D)
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (for Comcare-covered providers)
- Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018
- Aged Care Quality Standards (Quality of Care Principles 2014)
- Fair Work Act 2009 — including provisions relating to fatigue, breaks and the Aged Care Award 2010
- Privacy Act 1988 — relevant to handling of resident health information during incident reporting
- Public Health and Wellbeing Act / state public health legislation governing notifiable disease reporting
Frequently asked questions
Is aged care work classified as High Risk Construction Work (HRCW) requiring a mandatory SWMS under WHS Regulation 291?
No. Aged care is not construction work and does not trigger the mandatory SWMS requirement under WHS Regulation 291. However, a SWMS remains the most effective documented control to demonstrate compliance with the section 19 primary duty of care, consultation duties (s47–49), and the psychosocial hazard management duties under WHS Regulation 55A–55D. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission also expects documented safe systems of work under Standard 8.
How does this SWMS address the new psychosocial hazard regulations?
The SWMS includes a dedicated psychosocial hazard register aligned with the 14 hazards listed in the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice, covering high emotional demands, exposure to traumatic events, occupational violence, role overload, and poor support. It documents controls including clinical supervision, EAP access, workload review, post-incident debriefing and structured peer support — meeting the explicit duties introduced into the model WHS Regulations from 2022 onwards.
Does this SWMS cover both residential aged care and home/community care?
Yes. The template includes specific sections addressing lone working, vehicle/driving fatigue, and home environment hazard assessment relevant to home care package and CHSP delivery, alongside residential facility-based controls. Workers operating in client homes face distinct hazards (no controlled environment, presence of pets, hoarding, family aggression) which are addressed in the hazard register.
How often must this SWMS be reviewed?
Under WHS Regulation 38, a SWMS must be reviewed and revised whenever there is a change in the work, after a notifiable incident under section 38 of the WHS Act, when a control measure is found to be inadequate, or when consultation with workers or HSRs identifies a need. As best practice for aged care, we recommend a scheduled annual review plus event-triggered reviews after any Code Black incident, resident assault, infectious disease outbreak, or change to the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Will this SWMS satisfy Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission auditors?
The SWMS is designed to support evidence requirements under Standard 8 (Organisational Governance) of the Aged Care Quality Standards, which requires effective risk management and a workforce that is competent and supported. While the Commission does not prescribe a specific document format, this SWMS provides the documented risk assessment, control hierarchy, consultation evidence and review schedule that auditors typically request. It should be implemented alongside your provider's broader clinical governance and quality framework.
Does this SWMS apply to Comcare-regulated aged care providers?
Yes. The state-specific legislation schedule includes the Commonwealth WHS Act 2011 and Comcare jurisdiction provisions, which apply to providers self-insured under the SRC Act 1988 or otherwise covered by the Commonwealth scheme. Duties of care are equivalent to state WHS legislation, and Comcare actively investigates psychosocial and manual handling incidents in aged care.