Australia’s peak safety body has backed a AU$42.7 million Federal Budget commitment to make mandatory national safety standards available online at no direct cost, removing a major financial hurdle for local businesses and tradespeople.
The funding, spread over four years, will deliver free read-only access to more than 600 Australian Standards referenced across Commonwealth, state, and territory legislation. The overhaul covers key occupational health and safety areas, including working at heights, asbestos identification, construction-site electrical installations, pressure equipment, occupational noise, and respiratory protection.
The federal government estimates the reform could save small businesses and trades people up to AU$1,600 each year in direct compliance costs.
The Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS), which has advocated for sponsored access to mandatory safety standards since 2018, welcomed the measure as an essential step toward safer, more efficient workplaces.
“If a business or worker is required to comply with a standard, they should be able to access the information they need to work safely without having to pay for it,” AIHS CEO Julia Whitford said.
“For small businesses in particular, every additional compliance cost matters. Removing the cost barrier could make it easier to access the information needed to meet safety obligations and protect workers.”
Standards Australia CEO Rod Balding echoed those sentiments, labelling the announcement a practical policy reform that directly lowers regulatory costs.
“Australian Standards are essential to a safe and productive Australia,” Balding said.
“This is a welcome, meaningful reform that will lower compliance costs and enhance accessibility for the businesses, workers and communities that rely on standards every day. We’re continuing to work closely with government to implement this productivity-focused reform before year end.”
Whitford noted that while the budget allocation marks a significant milestone, ongoing investment will remain crucial to ensuring national safety frameworks keep pace with modern workplace environments across Australia.
“This is an important step, but we cannot stop here. We need to keep investing in the standards that help protect Australian workers and give businesses access to the standards they rely on to stay safe without unnecessary barriers.”