It’s 6 PM. The tools are packed, the ute is a mess, and the last thing on your mind is paperwork. But you’ve still got one more job to do before you can call it a day: the bloody Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).
For many tradies, it’s the most frustrating part of the job. You know you need one, but you’re not a lawyer. How do you make sure it’s compliant? How do you do it quickly without cutting corners that could lead to a fine?
The truth is, writing a SWMS doesn't have to take all night. Here’s a simple 4-step process to get a compliant document sorted in about 15 minutes.
The 15-Minute SWMS: The Manual Way
If you're using a standard template, here is the essential process you must follow to meet your legal obligations.
Step 1: Identify the High-Risk Work (HRCW) (Approx. 2 minutes)
First, confirm that you actually need a SWMS. A SWMS is only legally required for jobs that involve one or more of the 18 official High-Risk Construction Work activities . Grab your job sheet and quickly tick off which HRCW activities apply. Are you working above 2 metres? Is there mobile plant moving around? If the answer is yes, you need a SWMS.
Step 2: Consult Your Crew (Approx. 5 minutes)
This is the most important—and legally required—step that many people miss.
A SWMS must be prepared in consultation with the workers who are actually doing the job.
Run a quick toolbox talk. Discuss the tasks, the specific site hazards, and get their input on the best control measures. You’re legally required to take their feedback on board. A SWMS written in an office without worker input isn't compliant.
Step 3: Identify Hazards & List Your Controls (Approx. 6 minutes)
This is the core of the document. For each HRCW task you identified in Step 1, you need to:
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List the potential hazards and risks. (e.g., Hazard: "Falling from roof edge", Risk: "Serious injury or death").
- Describe the control measures you'll use to make it safe .
Crucially, you should apply the Hierarchy of Controls. This means considering the most effective controls (like elimination or engineering controls) before falling back on simpler ones (like PPE).
Step 4: Sign Off & Keep It On-Site (Approx. 2 minutes)
Once the SWMS is written and everyone agrees, each worker involved in the HRCW must sign the document to acknowledge they’ve been consulted and understand it.
Finally, you must ensure the SWMS is kept on-site and is available for inspection at all times until the job is complete.
The 2-Minute Shortcut: Do It All With a Generator
The 4-step process above is what you have to do. But you don't have to do it the slow way.
A template is just a dumb document. A generator is a smart tool that automates the entire process. Here’s how the Aussie Toolkit SWMS Generator turns a 15-minute headache into a 2-minute task:
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It automates Step 1 with a simple, guided HRCW checklist.
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It automates Steps 2 & 4 by capturing digital signatures on-site, providing a formal, time-stamped record of your worker consultation.
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It automates Step 3—the hardest part—with pre-written libraries for your trade and a guided process for the Hierarchy of Controls.
Stop wrestling with Word templates and get back to what you do best. The Aussie Toolkit gives you a faster, smarter, and safer way to manage your compliance.
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See the professional end result: View a sample of a completed SWMS PDF.
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Ready to save hours every week? Get the SWMS Generator Now.