A $7 million industrial manslaughter fine and a director fined personally: what May’s WHS penalties mean for contractors
A $7 million industrial manslaughter fine in Queensland and a $480,000 fine plus a personal penalty for a director in NSW, both on 1 May 2026. The five things a safety management system must be able to prove.
NSW codes of practice become mandatory on 1 July 2026: what contractors need to check now
From 1 July 2026 NSW businesses must comply with approved codes of practice or demonstrate an equivalent or higher standard. A nine week plan to check your procedures, safe work method statements and training.
ISO 14001:2026 is published: what changed, and the transition deadlines for certified organisations
ISO 14001:2026 was published on 15 April 2026. The five changes that matter for contractors, the three year transition to 30 April 2029 and the 31 October 2027 cut off for new certifications to the 2015 edition.
The M12 is open: what Western Sydney’s next decade of contracts will ask of subcontractors
The toll free M12 opened on 14 March 2026, the first of Western Sydney Airport’s road connections. What the next round of Western Sydney contracts will require, and why SafeWork NSW hired 20 psychosocial inspectors.
Rail Safety National Law review: 12 proposed reforms are open for comment until 4 May 2026
The National Transport Commission’s consultation on the Rail Safety National Law proposes 12 reforms, with submissions closing 4 May 2026. What the review covers and how to write a submission that carries weight.
Three changes hitting NSW construction on 1 March 2026: the Construction Compliance Unit, union prosecutions and the digital work systems duty
A Construction Compliance Unit with a subcontractor database and a local supplier rule, union WHS prosecution powers and a new digital work systems duty. What each change means on site from 1 March 2026.
Rail interoperability: the Interoperability Management Plan deadline is 28 February 2026
The interoperability regulation commenced on 1 November 2025 and operators must comply from 28 February 2026. What an Interoperability Management Plan must contain and how to fit it into your safety management system.
IAF and ILAC have become Global ACI, and ISO 14001 has reached its final draft: what changes on your certificate
On 1 January 2026 IAF and ILAC merged into Global ACI, and ISO released the final draft of ISO 14001:2026. Neither invalidates a certificate, but both change what to expect this year.
Sydney Metro West awards $11.5 billion of contracts: how subcontractors get on board
On 5 January 2026 the NSW Government announced four Sydney Metro West contracts worth $11.5 billion. What the packages contain and what the supply chain will be asked to prove.
Melbourne opens the Metro Tunnel and the West Gate Tunnel, and Suburban Rail Loop East awards its $8.8 billion line contract
Two megaprojects opened within a fortnight and Suburban Rail Loop East signed its $8.8 billion line wide contract on 18 December 2025. What the handover from delivery to operations means for contractors.