Is the WHS documentation for your business out of date, or even worse… non-existant? When was it last reviewed for changes in the legislation?
Step 1: Identify the Problem- All Australian businesses no matter what their size, need to manage their WHS obligations by law.
Step 2: Find a Solution– Safe-R Outcomes has a variety of WHS document solutions available for all Australian businesses.
Step 3: Purchase the Product That Will Suit Your Business Needs – Purchase your documents and download within minutes.
Step 4: Implement the WHS – Review your documents, fill in your business details and notify your employees.
Step 5: Back to Work– Within minutes you can be back to running your business and making money.
What Is WHS and Why Is It Legally Required in Australia?
Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws in Australia require every business—big or small—to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of workers and contractors. If your documentation is out of date or incomplete, you’re not just exposed to workplace risk… you’re potentially non-compliant with Safe Work Australia or state legislation.
👉 Still using outdated templates? See our WHS Management Plan Templates built to meet 2025 standards.
What WHS Documents Does My Business Need?
Here’s a list of the most commonly required WHS documents:
- WHS Management Plan
- Site-Specific Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment
- Workplace Risk Assessments
- Registers (Training, Hazardous Substances, etc.)
- Toolbox Talk Templates
- Policies for PPE, Drug and Alcohol, Bullying & Harassment
Different industries have different requirements. See what’s required for your business on our Industries & Professions page.
How Often Should WHS Documentation Be Reviewed?
Many businesses write their WHS documentation once and forget about it — which is a serious mistake. As your work environment changes, so should your safety procedures. We recommend reviewing:
- WHS Plans – annually or with any job scope change
- SWMS – before each high-risk job or when new hazards are introduced
- SOPs – yearly or when purchasing new equipment
- Registers and checklists – monthly or quarterly
📌 Safe-R Outcomes subscriptions include updates and alerts to help you stay compliant automatically.
Real-World Penalties for Non-Compliance
Here are just some of the penalties small businesses have faced for not having proper WHS documentation:
- $5,000+ fines for not providing SWMS on a high-risk job
- Job delays due to missing induction or SOPs
- Termination of contracts with Tier 1 builders for inadequate site-specific WHS plans
Investing in pre-filled, compliant documentation isn’t just easier, it protects your bottom line.
WHS Made Easy for Every Industry
Whether you’re a builder, painter, plumber, or operate a warehousing business, Safe-R Outcomes has industry-specific packs designed to get you job-ready, fast.
Popular industry packs include:
- Construction & Demolition
- Electrical & Plumbing
- Landscaping & Gardening
- Retail & Hospitality
- Agriculture & Machinery
- Civil & Traffic Management
👉 Browse our full Industry Solutions to find yours.
Common Questions About WHS Documentation
Do sole traders need WHS documents?
Yes. Even if you’re a one-person business, WHS laws still apply. You’re legally responsible for managing risk and can be held liable if documentation is missing.
Can I use a generic SWMS for all my jobs?
No. Your SWMS must reflect site-specific hazards and controls. Safe-R Outcomes provides editable templates designed for each trade.
What happens if I don’t have a safety management plan?
You may be barred from worksites, fined by WHS regulators, or lose contracts with larger clients or government projects.
How can Safe-R Outcomes help your business?
Our Professional subscriptions contain many essential documents including:
- WHS Management Plans / Safety Manuals
- SWMS (if the job entails high risk tasks)
- a range of SOPs, Registers, Toolbox Talks, Checklists and Policies
These can all be downloaded and are not blank templates, so can be used immediately.
We also provide Induction training to help you on-board new employees and contractors.
As you can see it is all done for you so it makes it nice and simple. You can find out more on the Industries and Professions page.
If you’re concerned about the time commitment and knowledge required to implement the correct documents, procedures and training for forklift safety, Safe-R Outcomes can help. We strive to reduce the time and cost for businesses to implement their legally necessary safety requirements.
