SWMS rules in South Australia

• From 1 July 2026, work with a risk of a person falling more than 2 m is high risk construction work and needs a SWMS. Before that, SA used 3 m.
• A construction project (principal contractor and WHS management plan) is construction work costing $450,000 or more (r.292). SafeWork SA says the $250,000 figure in national codes does not apply in SA.
• SafeWork SA says a generic SWMS is not acceptable unless it is made site specific. A copy must stay at the work location for the whole job, and a copy on a phone is fine.
• SWMS penalties in SA: up to $6,000 for an individual and $30,000 for a body corporate for not preparing (r.299) or not following (r.300) a SWMS.
• Failing to give demolition notice (r.142) can attract an expiation fee of $144 for an individual and $720 for a body corporate.
• White cards are issued by the training provider (RTO), not SafeWork SA, and must always be available on a construction site. You must have worked in construction in the last 2 years for the card to stay current.
• Electric shock, gas infrastructure and gas fitting incidents also go to the Office of the Technical Regulator (1800 558 811). SafeWork SA says you must notify that regulator yourself.
• SA approved codes of practice include Demolition work, Excavation work, Managing the risk of falls at workplaces, and the National Code of Practice for Precast, Tilt Up and Concrete Elements in Construction.

• Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)
• Work Health and Safety (High Risk Construction Work) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SA)

Regulator: SafeWork SA, phone 1300 365 255 (business hours), 1800 777 209 (critical incidents, 24 hours).

• Death or life threatening incident: phone SafeWork SA on 1800 777 209 (24 hours). Other notifiable incidents: phone 1300 365 255, use the online notifiable incident form or email [email protected]. Do not disturb the site (Act s.39) except to help the injured, remove a deceased person, make the area safe or follow police directions.
• Demolition (r.142): written notice at least 5 days before demolishing a load bearing structure at least 6 m high, using load shifting machinery on a suspended floor, or using explosives. Lodge through SWSA Online.
• Licensed asbestos removal (r.466): Class A and Class B licence holders notify at least 5 days before work through SWSA Online. In an emergency, phone immediately and follow up in writing within 24 hours.
• Engineered stone (r.529G): written notice to SafeWork SA before removing, repairing, modifying or disposing of engineered stone.

SafeWork SA HRCW SWMS template (June 2026 update, Word). Our builder covers the same fields and adds the hazards and controls for your job.