What's changing in chemical safety.

1. Starts 1 December 2026 Coming up Safe Work Australia

   Model WHS Regulations amended for workplace exposure limits

   The model WHS Regulations swap 'exposure standard' for 'exposure limit' from 1 December 2026, including the SDS ingredient disclosure rules, once each jurisdiction adopts the change.

   Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

2. Proposed start 1 December 2026 Coming up Victorian Government

   Victoria's draft regulations to adopt workplace exposure limits

   Victoria's exposure draft regulations change 'standards' to 'limits' from 1 December 2026, including what an SDS must contain; public comment was open until 27 February 2026.

   Read it on engage.vic.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

3. Page reviewed 5 October 2026 WorkSafe Victoria

   WorkSafe Victoria: WEL list replaces the WES list on 1 December 2026

   WorkSafe Victoria confirms the national WEL list replaces the WES list from 1 December 2026, and employers must keep complying with the WES list until then.

   Read it on worksafe.vic.gov.au · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

4. Starts 9 September 2026 ACT Government

   ACT adopts Safe Work Australia's November 2025 exposure standards

   The ACT declared the exposure standards in Safe Work Australia's November 2025 workplace exposure standards list, commencing 9 September 2026 and replacing the 2024 declaration.

   Read it on legislation.act.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

5. Page reviewed 31 August 2026 WorkSafe WA

   WorkSafe WA campaign on the move to workplace exposure limits

   WorkSafe WA says workplace exposure limits apply in Western Australia from 1 December 2026 and suggests reviewing your chemical inventory, risk assessments and safety data sheets.

   Read it on worksafe.wa.gov.au · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

6. Published 10 August 2026 Safe Work Australia

   Consultation on health and air monitoring rules for hazardous chemicals

   Safe Work Australia sought feedback on clarifying health and air monitoring requirements for hazardous chemicals in the model WHS Regulations; consultation was open until 21 September 2026.

   Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · Link checked 14 October 2026

7. Published 4 August 2026 Safe Work Australia

   New Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS) now available

   Safe Work Australia's new HCIS shows GHS classifications and WEL data on one page, helping manufacturers prepare SDS and labels and helping users check them.

   Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · Our guide: SDS requirements for manufacturers and importers in Australia · Link checked 14 October 2026

8. Published 30 July 2026 Safe Work Australia

   Three new guides on air monitoring and exposure limits

   Safe Work Australia published air monitoring guides for employers and hygienists, plus diesel emissions guidance; a new diesel particulate limit of 0.01 mg/m3 applies from 1 December 2026.

   Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

9. Published 24 June 2026 Safe Work Australia

   No change on 1 December 2026 to limits for 9 chemicals

   WHS ministers didn't reach a majority on new limits for 9 chemicals, including benzene, formaldehyde and silica, so their current WES levels carry over into the WEL list.

   Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

10. Published 9 June 2026 Safe Work Australia

    Stakeholder pack for the switch to workplace exposure limits

    Safe Work Australia released a stakeholder pack of key messages and ready-to-use resources to help workplaces prepare, including reviewing safety data sheets, for limits starting 1 December 2026.

    Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

11. Published 17 November 2025 Safe Work Australia

    Exposure standard for aluminium welding fumes cut to 1 mg/m³

    The workplace exposure standard for aluminium welding fumes dropped from 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³ (8-hour average), and Safe Work Australia published an updated WES list.

    Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

12. Published 23 April 2024 Safe Work Australia

    Workplace exposure limits (WEL) list published

    WHS ministers agreed the new WEL list, which replaces the workplace exposure standards across Australia from 1 December 2026; until then, the WES list still applies.

    Read it on safeworkaustralia.gov.au · PDF · Our guide: Workplace exposure limits 2026: what changes on 1 December for SDS · Link checked 14 October 2026

This page links to official sources and summarises them briefly; it isn't legal advice. Always read the regulator's own page, and check with your state or territory regulator for anything that applies to your workplace.