Safety consultation policy template
A free, ready-to-edit safety consultation policy template for Australian workplaces. Set out how you consult workers on health and safety matters — covering health and safety representatives, safety committees, when and how to consult, and issue resolution under WHS law. No signup required.
Safety consultation policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This safety consultation policy template reflects Australian work health and safety consultation requirements at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your business. It is not legal advice. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why safety consultation is a legal requirement
Health and safety consultation is a two-way process where employers and workers share information so hazards are identified, risks assessed and safety decisions made together. Simply telling workers about a decision after it’s been made doesn’t count — their views must be genuinely sought and considered before you decide.
Under Australian WHS law, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must, so far as is reasonably practicable, consult workers who carry out work for the business and who are, or are likely to be, directly affected by a health and safety matter. This duty isn’t optional, and it extends to employees, contractors, labour-hire and volunteers alike.
Done well, consultation leads to fewer incidents, more practical risk controls and stronger worker buy-in — the people doing the work usually know best where the risks are. A documented policy shows regulators you have consultation mechanisms in place and pairs naturally with your WHS policy and hazard & risk policy. Store it and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood it.
What a safety consultation policy should cover
The essentials of a compliant WHS consultation framework
Consultation duty
The obligation to consult workers on health and safety matters under WHS law.
Health & safety reps
The role, rights and powers of elected HSRs in your consultation process.
Safety committees
How a health and safety committee is formed, who sits on it and what it does.
When to consult
The specific circumstances that legally trigger consultation with workers.
How to consult
Practical methods for sharing information and giving workers a real say.
Issue resolution
An agreed process for resolving safety issues raised through consultation.
What's included in this template
A complete consultation framework aligned with WHS requirements
Purpose & scope
Why consultation is required and which workers it covers.
Consultation duty
The legal obligation to consult under the WHS Act and Regulations.
Health & safety representatives
Election, training and functions of HSRs in your workplace.
Health & safety committees
Composition, meetings and responsibilities of the committee.
When we consult
Identifying hazards, deciding controls and proposing changes.
How we consult
Methods, communication channels and giving workers a reasonable say.
Roles & responsibilities
What officers, managers, supervisors and workers must each do.
Issue resolution procedure
Agreed steps for raising and resolving safety concerns.
Documentation
Recording consultation activities, decisions and outcomes.
Review & acknowledgement
How the framework is reviewed and employee sign-off.
Getting consultation right
What genuine WHS consultation looks like in practice
Consultation is two-way, not a notice
Telling workers after a decision is made isn’t consultation. You must share relevant information, give workers a reasonable opportunity to express views, and genuinely consider those views before deciding. Document what you shared, what workers said and how it shaped the outcome.
Respect the powers of HSRs
Health and safety representatives are elected by their work group and have real powers under WHS law — including requesting a committee, issuing provisional improvement notices and, where trained, directing that unsafe work cease. Your policy should explain how managers will work with HSRs, not around them.
When you must consult
Identifying hazards
When assessing risks to health or safety in the workplace.
Deciding controls
When making decisions on how to eliminate or minimise risks.
Proposing changes
Before changes that may affect health or safety are introduced.
Resolving issues
When setting procedures for consultation, monitoring or issue resolution.
Where multiple businesses share a workplace, they must also consult, cooperate and coordinate with each other so far as is reasonably practicable — for example, head contractors and subcontractors on a site. Set this out alongside your hazard & risk policy.
If a safety issue can’t be resolved through normal consultation, follow your agreed issue resolution procedure and, if needed, run a structured WHS assessment to investigate and document controls. Safe Work Australia’s Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice and your state WHS regulator provide further guidance on meeting these duties.
Who should use this template?
Every Australian PCBU has a duty to consult workers on safety
Especially important for higher-risk industries with HSRs and safety committees, such as construction, manufacturing and healthcare.
Compliance resources
Official guidance on WHS consultation, cooperation and coordination.
Manage your safety policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store WHS policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail — all in one place.
Related guides
Build and run your consultation framework
Related templates
Build a complete safety management system
Safety consultation policy FAQ
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A safety consultation policy sets out how an organisation consults workers on health and safety matters. It explains the legal duty to consult, the role of health and safety representatives and committees, when and how consultation happens, and how safety issues are resolved — giving workers a genuine say in decisions that affect their health and safety.
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Yes. This template is a solid starting point, but you should tailor it to your specific hazards, industry, workforce and any WHS arrangements already in place. Consult your workers and any health and safety representatives while you customise it, then store it in your HR software and capture acknowledgements.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
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.