When must I set up a health and safety committee?

Under s75 of the model Work Health and Safety Act, a PCBU must establish a health and safety committee within 2 months of a request by a health and safety representative (HSR) or by 5 or more workers at the workplace, or when the regulations require one. If no request has been made and the regulations do not require it, there is no duty to set one up — but a PCBU may establish one voluntarily.

Who can request a health and safety committee?

A health and safety committee can be requested by a health and safety representative (HSR) for the workplace, or by 5 or more workers (s75 model WHS Act). The regulations can also require a committee for certain work or workplaces. Any one of these triggers the duty to establish a committee.

Who has to be on a health and safety committee?

Under s76 of the model WHS Act, at least half the members of the committee must be workers who are not nominated by the PCBU. A health and safety representative (HSR) for the workplace who consents to be a member is automatically a member of the committee. The rest of the membership is agreed between the PCBU and the workers.

How often must a health and safety committee meet?

At least once every 3 months. Section 78 of the model WHS Act requires a health and safety committee to meet at least once every 3 months, and also at any reasonable time at the request of at least half of its members.

Are the rules different in Victoria?

Yes. Victoria is not part of the harmonised WHS scheme. It runs health and safety committees through designated work groups under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), using the terms 'employer' and 'employee' rather than 'PCBU' and 'worker'. The model WHS Act figures (2 months, half the members, every 3 months) apply in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth, and Western Australia mirrors them under the WHS Act 2020 (WA). Check the Act that applies to your workplace.

Do I Need a Health and Safety Committee?

Q: How soon must a committee be established after a request?

Within 2 months. Section 75 of the model WHS Act requires a PCBU to establish a health and safety committee within 2 months of a request by an HSR or 5 or more workers, or when required by the regulations.

Check when a workplace must set up a health and safety committee, who can request one, and what it does under the WHS Act.

Last verified: 21 June 2026

A PCBU must establish a health and safety committee within 2 months of a request by a health and safety representative (HSR) or 5 or more workers, or where the regulations require one (s75 model WHS Act). At least half the members must be workers not nominated by the PCBU, and any consenting HSR is a member (s76). The committee must meet at least once every 3 months (s78). Answer two questions to see your exact position.

Do you need a health and safety committee?

Answer two questions to see whether the PCBU must set up a health and safety committee, by when, who has to be on it, what it does, and how often it must meet. This is general information — check the Act that applies in your state or territory.

1. Has a health and safety committee been requested?

2. The workplace already has a health and safety committee.

Choose an option above to see whether you need a committee and what the rules are.

Related: HSR Powers Checker, WHS Consultation Duty Checker, or visit the Safety Hub for the full WHS tool set.

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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.

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