Ever wonder if you really need a SWMS for a particular job? It’s a question every tradie asks, and the answer all comes down to one thing: are you doing High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW)?
This isn't guesswork—it's an official list defined by WHS Regulations across Australia. If your work involves even one of the activities on this list, preparing a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) isn't just a good idea, it's the law. Getting it right keeps everyone safe and keeps you in business. Getting it wrong can mean serious fines or being kicked off-site.
So, to make your life easier, we’ve translated the official legal jargon into a simple guide with real-world examples.
The Official HRCW List (in Plain English)
Here are the 18 activities that legally trigger the need for a SWMS in Australia.
1. Work involving a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
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In Plain English: Working at Heights
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What it means for you: If you're on a roof, first-floor scaffolding, in a scissor lift, or on any unprotected edge over 2 metres high, this is you.
2. Work on a telecommunication tower
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In Plain English: Telco Tower Work
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What it means for you: Any installation, maintenance, or repair work on a telco tower.
3. Work involving demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing
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In Plain English: Demolishing a Supporting Structure
- What it means for you: Taking out a load-bearing wall, beam, or column that is essential to the structure's integrity.
4. Work that involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos
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In Plain English: Disturbing Asbestos
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What it means for you: Any work on older buildings where you might cut, drill, or handle materials containing asbestos.
5. Work that involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
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In Plain English: Propping or Bracing Structures
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What it means for you: Using Acrow props, bracing, or other temporary supports to hold something up while you work on it.
6. Work carried out in or near a confined space
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In Plain English: Confined Spaces
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What it means for you: Working in tanks, manholes, crawl spaces, or any area that isn't designed to be worked in and has restricted entry/exit.
7. Work carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel
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In Plain English: Deep Trenches & Tunnels
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What it means for you: Digging or working in any trench over 1.5m deep.
8. Work that involves the use of explosives
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In Plain English: Using Explosives
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What it means for you: Any blasting or use of explosive power tools.
9. Work carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
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In Plain English: Working Near Gas Mains
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What it means for you: Any excavation or plumbing work near a live, high-pressure gas line.
10. Work carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
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In Plain English: Working Near Chemical Lines
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What it means for you: HVAC work on large systems or any job involving industrial fuel or chemical pipes.
11. Work carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services
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In Plain English: Live Electrical Work
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What it means for you: Working near live switchboards, overhead power lines, or any circuit that hasn't been properly isolated.
12. Work carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
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In Plain English: Flammable or Contaminated Air
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What it means for you: Working in an area with potential gas leaks, high dust levels, or a lack of oxygen.
13. Work involving tilt-up or precast concrete
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In Plain English: Tilt-Up Concrete Panels
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What it means for you: The manufacturing, transporting, or erection of concrete panels.
14. Work carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, or shipping lane that is in use
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In Plain English: Working Near Traffic
- What it means for you: Any job on or next to a road, railway or other traffic corridor that is open to vehicles, trains or ships.
15. Work carried out in an area where there is any movement of powered mobile plant
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In Plain English: Movement of Heavy Machinery
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What it means for you: Working on any site where mobile equipment like excavators, cranes, or forklifts are operating.
16. Work carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature
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In Plain English: Extreme Hot or Cold Work
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What it means for you: Working inside large freezers, boiler rooms, or other environments with extreme artificial temperatures.
17. Work carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning
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In Plain English: Risk of Drowning
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What it means for you: Working on bridges, piers, or next to any body of water where there's a risk of falling in.
18. Work that involves diving work
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In Plain English: Diving Work
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What it means for you: Any construction or inspection work performed underwater.
A Quick Note on States: While these 18 activities are the national standard, some states like Victoria have minor variations (e.g., they list 19 activities). It's another headache you shouldn't have to worry about.
So, Is Your Job on the List? Don't Risk It.
If you answered ‘yes’ to even one of the items above, you legally need a Safe Work Method Statement before you pick up a tool.
The good news is, creating a compliant SWMS doesn't have to be a nightmare. The Aussie Toolkit SWMS Generator has all of these rules and lists built-in. Just select your state, tick the boxes that apply to your job, and let the tool guide you the rest of the way.
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See the final result: View a sample of the professional PDF you can create in minutes.
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Ready to stop the paperwork? Get the SWMS Generator Now and get your evenings back.