South Australia has strengthened its workplace safety framework with amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 that took effect on 1 July 2026. The changes lower the threshold for high-risk construction work (HRCW) involving fall hazards from a risk of falling more than three metres to more than two metres. This aligns South Australia with model WHS laws and other Australian states and territories to create clearer more consistent expectations.
The amendment significantly broadens the range of construction activities that are now classified as HRCW, triggering additional compliance obligations for duty holders across the construction industry. Activities that previously sat outside the HRCW definition will need to be revised to ensure that a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is in place before work commences.
What Does This Mean for Industry?
Builders, principal contractors, subcontractors and other duty holders should have reviewed existing work-at-height activities to determine whether they now fall within the updated HRCW definition. Organisations may need to:
- Update or develop their SWMS, in consultation with workers to:
- Be specific to the site and task
- Identify hazards and risks involved
- Describe the control measures that will be used keep everyone safe
- Be readily available on site
- Reassess fall prevention and fall protection controls
- Update work procedures and training materials
- Ensure workers understand the new requirements
The change reflects growing recognition that serious injuries and fatalities can occur from falls at relatively low heights, reinforcing the need for appropriate controls whenever work is undertaken above two metres.
Supporting Compliance Through Cm3
Contractors completing their Cm3 submissions are required to provide samples of completed SWMS for HRCW, to demonstrate their capability in managing construction risks. With South Australia’s fall-risk threshold now reduced to more than two metres, contractors should ensure their submitted SWMS reflect the updated legislative requirements.
By maintaining up-to-date compliance documentation within Cm3, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, support contractor competency assessments and help ensure workers are adequately protected when undertaking high-risk activities.