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Australia · Australia: national model guidanceModel code

New model silica Code of Practice and November clarifications

Safe Work Australia published a model silica Code of Practice in August 2025 and clarified professional titles and reporting in November. It provides a reference for silica assessment and controls; local approval of this edition requires confirmation.

Scope to keep in mind

Model publication does not establish automatic legal adoption in every jurisdiction. The November 13 update is a publication milestone.

Legal status
model code local approval requires check
Source check
Sep 17, 2026
Topic
Silica controls and monitoring
Technical review
Jiaxi · 2026-09-23

What changed

Previous requirement

Earlier silica guidance and locally approved codes were available.

New requirement or current position

Current model edition provides an updated reference for silica assessment, controls and reporting.

Who it affects

  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Other CSS processing

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
Aug 11, 2025
Recorded effective date
Not established or not applicable
Nov 13, 2025

Model code users

Publication page records November clarification update; this is not a local commencement date.

What this could mean for your IH program

Record the edition and local approval status; retain reporting duties even when RPE reduces wearer exposure.

Confirm applicability with a qualified practitioner before changing your program.

Questions and qualifications

  • Local approval of this edition is not proven for every jurisdiction. Do not treat model publication as automatic legal adoption.

Source evidence

  1. Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace

    Safe Work Australia · Publication 11 August 2025; update 13 November 2025

    New model code and November clarifications provide silica control and monitoring guidance; model publication alone is not proof of local approval.

  2. Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace, November 2025

    Safe Work Australia · pp. 35-36 and 47

    Exceedance reporting remains required even with correctly fitted RPE. Guidance specifies regulator notification within 14 days; Victoria is excepted from legacy-work notification.

Managing your IH program

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