Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Australia (Ratification: 2004)

The Committee notes the Government’s very comprehensive first report concerning the application of the Convention in the different jurisdictions in Australia. It also notes, however, that the main commonwealth legislation in the area of occupational safety and health – Australian Workplace Safety Standards Act 2005 (AWSS Act) – was repealed in its entirety by the Safe Work Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2008 of 18 December 2008. Given the significance of this development and in order to enable it to assess the situation in the country, the Committee requests the Government to submit a renewed detailed report on the application of Convention No. 155 including information on relevant national legislation and, as appropriate, copies of documents concerning the national policy in this area. Against the background of the detailed information provided regarding the application of Convention No. 155 in the different territories and jurisdictions in Australia, the Committee would also request the Government to indicate whether and to what extent the repeal of the AWSS Act will affect the implementation of Convention No. 155 in these territories and jurisdictions. The Committee requests the Government to also include relevant information regarding the application of the Convention in Tasmania, which was not included in the Government’s first report.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2010.]