SWMS Templates › South Australia

SWMS templates for South Australia

South Australia adopted the model laws as the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA), but for years kept its own 3-metre fall threshold for high risk construction work where every other state used 2 metres. That changed on 1 July 2026: the threshold is now 2 metres. Older South Australian documents that say 3 metres now understate when a SWMS is required.

The law in South Australia

What a SA safe work method statement must get right

Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) · Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)

High risk construction work

Defined in regulation 291 of the WHS Regulations 2012 (SA): 18 categories, paragraphs (a) to (r).

When a SWMS is required

Regulation 299: before high risk construction work starts, and kept readily accessible for the duration of the work.

Fall threshold changed 1 July 2026

A fall of more than 2 metres. Until 30 June 2026 South Australia used 3 metres; the amendment regulations lowered it to the national figure.

Notifiable incidents

SafeWork SA on 1300 365 255. A death or life-threatening injury goes to 1800 777 209, 24 hours. An electric shock is also reported to the Office of the Technical Regulator on 1800 558 811.

Trench threshold

A shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres.

What the SA version of every template carries

• Cites the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA).
• States the 2-metre fall threshold that applies from 1 July 2026, not the former 3 metres.
• Names SafeWork SA with both incident lines, 1300 365 255 and the 24-hour 1800 777 209.

SA questions