100% free safety & compliance HR policy templates
Essential WHS policies, risk management frameworks and compliance documents for Australian SMEs. 100% free, professionally written and ready to customise.
Browse templatesWhat are safety & compliance policies?
Safety and compliance policies establish how your business meets its legal obligations under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. They define responsibilities, procedures and standards for keeping workers safe.
These policies are essential for Australian employers of all sizes. They demonstrate due diligence, protect workers from harm and help avoid penalties from regulators like SafeWork. A strong safety framework also reduces workers compensation costs and improves workplace culture.
Contractor & Visitor Safety Policy
Sets safety expectations and requirements for contractors, subcontractors and visitors entering your workplace. Covers inductions, supervision and compliance with site rules.
Read moreEmergency Management & Evacuation Policy
Outlines procedures for emergency situations including fire, medical emergencies and evacuations. Covers warden roles, assembly points and emergency contact procedures.
Read moreEmployee Health & Safety Policy
Employee-focused policy outlining individual safety responsibilities, reporting obligations and rights. Complements the organisational WHS policy with practical staff guidance.
Read moreEmployee Privacy Policy
Explains how employee personal information is collected, used, stored and protected. Covers Privacy Act compliance, access rights and data security measures.
Read moreFatigue Management Policy
Addresses fatigue risks from shift work, long hours or demanding roles. Covers rostering practices, rest breaks and employee responsibilities for fitness for duty.
Read moreFirst Aid Policy
Sets requirements for first aid equipment, trained personnel and response procedures. Covers first aid kit locations, officer responsibilities and incident documentation.
Read moreFitness for Work Policy
Defines expectations for employees arriving fit to perform their duties safely. Covers impairment, fatigue, illness and the process for standing down unfit workers.
Read moreHazard Identification & Risk Assessment Policy
Establishes the process for identifying workplace hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls. Covers risk matrices, documentation and review requirements.
Read moreIncident Reporting & Investigation Policy
Defines requirements for reporting and investigating workplace incidents, injuries and near-misses. Covers notification timeframes, investigation steps and corrective actions.
Read moreInjury Management & Return to Work Policy
Outlines support for injured workers and the return to work process. Covers suitable duties, medical clearances and rehabilitation in line with workers compensation requirements.
Read moreManual Handling Policy
Addresses risks from lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling tasks. Covers safe techniques, equipment use, training requirements and injury prevention strategies.
Read morePersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy
Sets requirements for PPE provision, use and maintenance. Covers employer obligations to supply PPE, employee responsibilities to use it, and compliance monitoring.
Read moreRecord Keeping & Compliance Policy
Establishes requirements for maintaining workplace records including safety documentation, training records and incident reports. Covers retention periods and audit requirements.
Read moreRegulatory Compliance Policy
Outlines the organisation's commitment to complying with all applicable laws and regulations. Covers WHS, Fair Work, privacy and industry-specific obligations.
Read moreRisk Management Policy
Establishes the framework for identifying, assessing and managing workplace risks. Covers risk appetite, assessment methodology and management responsibilities.
Read moreSafety Training & Induction Policy
Sets requirements for safety training and workplace inductions. Covers mandatory training, refresher schedules, record keeping and competency verification.
Read moreWork Health & Safety (WHS) Policy
The foundational safety policy for Australian workplaces. Outlines employer and employee obligations under WHS legislation, consultation requirements and commitment to safety.
Read moreWorkplace Inspections & Audits Policy
Establishes requirements for regular workplace safety inspections and audits. Covers inspection frequency, checklists, corrective actions and documentation.
Read moreWorkplace Safety Consultation Policy
Defines how the organisation consults with workers on safety matters. Covers health and safety representatives, committees and consultation procedures required by WHS law.
Read moreWorkplace Wellbeing Policy
Promotes physical and mental health in the workplace. Covers wellbeing initiatives, mental health support, work-life balance and access to employee assistance programs.
Read moreCommon safety & compliance issues employers face
Without proper policies, these risks increase significantly
Workplace injuries
Preventable incidents due to lack of procedures
Regulator notices
Improvement or prohibition notices from SafeWork
Legal liability
Personal liability for directors and managers
Workers comp costs
Rising premiums from preventable claims
Contractor incidents
Injuries involving untrained contractors
Poor documentation
No evidence of safety efforts when audited
These templates help you demonstrate due diligence and meet your WHS obligations.
What should a WHS policy include?
Essential elements for compliance
Our templates cover these elements and more, tailored for Australian SMEs.
Who these templates are best for
What happens without proper safety policies?
Without policies
- No evidence of due diligence
- Personal liability for officers
- Higher workers comp premiums
- Risk of prosecution
With policies
- Clear safety expectations
- Documented due diligence
- Reduced incident rates
- Audit-ready documentation
Legal disclaimer
These templates are designed to reflect Australian WHS requirements and workplace standards at the time of publication. They are provided as a general guide only and do not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor each template to suit your business, industry, workplace hazards and specific circumstances. For high-risk industries or complex situations, independent legal or WHS professional advice should be sought.
Why safety policies matter
Under Australian WHS law, businesses have a primary duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers. Officers (directors and senior managers) have personal due diligence obligations that cannot be delegated.
Clear, documented safety policies are essential evidence of due diligence. They show that you have identified risks, implemented controls and communicated expectations to workers. Without them, defending against prosecution is significantly harder.
These templates give you a strong foundation for WHS compliance, ready to customise for your specific workplace.
Safety & compliance policies FAQ
- You must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others at your workplace. This includes providing safe systems of work, safe premises and equipment, information and training, and proper supervision. Our WHS Policy covers these obligations.
- Company directors and senior managers must take reasonable steps to ensure the business complies with WHS obligations. This includes understanding hazards, ensuring resources and processes are in place, and verifying safety measures. Officers can be personally liable for breaches.
- Yes, all Australian businesses with employees must have WHS policies demonstrating their commitment to safety and outlining responsibilities. Our WHS Policy template provides the foundation for compliance.
- A hazard is anything that could cause harm (sharp knife, slippery floor, heavy lifting). A risk is the likelihood and severity of harm from that hazard. Our Hazard & Risk Policy and Manual Handling Policy explain identification and assessment processes.
- WHS law requires meaningful consultation with workers on safety matters. This can be through health and safety representatives, committees, meetings or direct discussions. Our Safety Consultation Policy establishes your consultation framework.
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This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.