SWMS template Victoria: check yours against the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Already have a SWMS, from a template or written by a chatbot? Paste it below and see which content rules it covers for Victoria. We do not sell a template here. This is a free check of the one you have.
Which law applies in Victoria
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic). Regulator: WorkSafe Victoria.
Victoria does not use the model WHS Regulations. It uses the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017. High risk construction work is regulation 322, what a SWMS is is regulation 324, when one is required is regulation 327, review is regulation 328 and keeping a copy is regulation 329 (read on legislation.vic.gov.au, version in force 20 Oct 2026). Regulation 324 asks a SWMS to identify the work, state hazards and risks, describe control measures and how they are implemented, and be readable. It has no "monitored" wording and no rule on workplace circumstances, so those lines in the checker are good practice here, not a Victorian rule. For asbestos, an asbestos control plan counts as a SWMS (regulation 327(3)).
What it looks for
- Whether the SWMS names the high risk construction work, the hazards and risks, the control measures, and how controls are implemented, monitored and reviewed.
- Whether it says it is based on the circumstances at the workplace, is readable, says to stop work if not followed, and goes to the principal contractor.
- Where your text mentions them: fall controls beyond a harness or PPE, asbestos licence and clearance, trench shoring, confined space permit and rescue, isolation for energised electrical work.