National aluminium welding fume WES reduced to 1 mg/m3
Australia's national list reduced the eight-hour aluminium welding-fume standard to 1 mg/m³ on November 17, 2025. Local adoption dates vary; the Australian Capital Territory's separate commencement is recorded in the related finding.
The national-list revision date does not establish the legal commencement date in every jurisdiction.
- Legal status
- national list in force local adoption varies
- Source check
- Sep 17, 2026
- Topic
- Aluminium welding fumes
- Technical review
- Jiaxi · 2026-09-23
What changed
Previous requirement
5 mg/m3 8-hour TWA.
New requirement or current position
1 mg/m3 8-hour TWA.
Who it affects
- Boat building
- Metal fabrication
- Vehicle manufacturing
- Maintenance
Dates and milestones
Commencement and compliance dates can differ. Read the conditions beside each date, including any stay or local adoption requirement.
- Announcement or publication
- Oct 21, 2025
- Recorded effective date
- Nov 17, 2025
Selected exposure values
These values need the scope, limit type and averaging period shown below. A proposed or advisory value is not a binding limit.
Aluminium (welding fumes) as Al
1 mg/m3| Averaging period | 8-hour TWA |
|---|---|
| Limit type | WES |
| Scope | National WES list; local commencement varies |
What this could mean for your IH program
Check which list revision local law incorporates. ACT implementation occurred later.
Confirm applicability with a qualified practitioner before changing your program.
Questions and qualifications
- Local adoption dates are not complete; see the separately verified ACT record.
Source evidence
- Aluminium (welding fumes) information sheet
Safe Work Australia · Published 21 October 2025
National-list aluminium welding fume WES reduced from 5 to 1 mg/m3 8-hour TWA on 17 November 2025.
- Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, November 2025
Safe Work Australia · p. 36 silica entries; p. 42 amendment history
Current list records RCS at 0.05 mg/m3 and the January 2024 general welding and November 2025 aluminium welding amendments.
- Welding fumes
SafeWork NSW · Opening; Exposure standard
NSW regulator confirms both general and aluminium welding fume WES reductions to 1 mg/m3; component-specific limits also apply.
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