From 1 December 2026, Australia will replace the current Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) list with the new Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list, but until then you must still comply with the WES list Safe Work Australia+2.
Current rules
Today, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure no worker is
exposed to an airborne contaminant above its Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) Safe Work Australia+1.
The WES list, maintained by Safe Work Australia (SWA), sets the maximum airborne concentration for specific hazardous substances (e.g., dusts, gases, fumes, vapours, mists) that can cause health effects. This includes substances like respirable crystalline silica, benzene, chlorine, and others WorkSafe Victoria+1.
Transition to WEL list
- 1 December 2026: SWA’s WEL list replaces the WES list nationally Safe Work Australia+2.
- Until 30 November 2026: You must still comply with the WES list Safe Work Australia+1.
- Victoria-specific: 15 substances will have a separate three‑year transition to 1 December 2029 WorkSafe Victoria+1.
The WEL list uses the same purpose — to set legal limits to prevent harmful exposure — but aligns terminology and limits with international practice Safe Work Australia+1.
How limits are set and applied
- Airborne contaminants: Harmful dusts, gases, fumes, vapours, or mists inhaled at work Safe Work Australia+1.
- PCBU duty: Eliminate or minimise risks so workers are not exposed above the limit; use the hierarchy of controls; RPE can be considered if higher‑order controls are in place Safe Work Australia.
- Monitoring: Air monitoring is required to determine exposures and verify compliance Safe Work Australia+1.
- Not a “safe” threshold: Exposure below the WEL does not guarantee no harm; individual susceptibility matters Safe Work Australia.
Example of changes
Some WELs will remain the same; others may be tightened, relaxed, or introduced for the first time (e.g., diesel particulate matter limits) cmpa.com.au. Certain substances will be removed from the WEL list and classified as non‑threshold genotoxic carcinogens (NTGCs), meaning no safe exposure level is considered possible cmpa.com.au.
Where to find the limits
- SWA WEL list: safeworkaustralia.gov.au – Workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants Safe Work Australia.
- WES list: Available on SWA’s site for current compliance before 1 Dec 2026 WorkSafe Victoria.
- State regulators: WorkSafe Victoria provides jurisdiction‑specific guidance, including transition arrangements WorkSafe Victoria.
In summary:
Until 1 Dec 2026, follow the WES list; from that date, follow the WEL list (with some Victorian transitional delays). Always manage exposure through control measures, monitoring, and compliance with WHS laws.
For more information visit Safe Work Australia