How do I know if workplace noise is too loud?

A simple rough guide: if you have to raise your voice to be understood by someone about a metre away, the noise is likely around or over 85 dB(A) — that is a prompt to get it assessed, not a precise measurement. Impact or sudden noise (hammering, nail guns, anything like a gunshot) can also breach the 140 dB(C) peak limit even when the average seems lower. To know for certain whether the exposure standard is exceeded, the employer should arrange noise measurement by a competent person.

Do I need hearing (audiometric) testing at work?

Audiometric (hearing) testing is required under reg 58 where a worker is frequently required to use hearing protectors to keep within the noise exposure standard. It must be provided within 3 months of the worker starting that work, and then at least every 2 years, at the employer's cost. Note that reg 58 was omitted and then progressively reintroduced in some jurisdictions, so check your WHS regulator for what applies where you are.

Workplace Noise Exposure Checker

Q: What is the workplace noise limit in Australia?

The exposure standard for noise (model Work Health and Safety Regulations reg 56) has two parts: an eight-hour equivalent continuous A-weighted level of 85 dB(A) (LAeq,8h), and a peak C-weighted level of 140 dB(C) (LC,peak) for sudden or impact noise. If either limit is exceeded, the noise is too high and the employer (the PCBU) must manage the risk so workers are not exposed above the standard. The 85 dB(A) and 140 dB(C) figures are consistent across Australia, though Victoria and Western Australia run their own WHS laws.

Check workplace noise against the exposure standard, when hearing protection and audiometric testing are required under the WHS Regs.

Last verified: 21 June 2026

The exposure standard for workplace noise (model WHS Regulations reg 56) is 85 dB(A) averaged over an eight-hour day (LAeq,8h) and 140 dB(C) for peak or impact noise (LC,peak). If either is exceeded the noise is too high and your employer must manage the risk using the hierarchy of controls (reg 57). A rough guide that it may be over the standard: if you have to raise your voice to be heard about a metre away — but that is a prompt to measure, not a measurement. Where workers frequently wear hearing protection to stay within the standard, audiometric (hearing) testing is required within 3 months of starting and at least every 2 years (reg 58).

The workplace noise standard is 85 dB(A) over 8 hours and 140 dB(C) peak.

If either limit is exceeded, the noise is too high and must be controlled. This tool uses rough warning signs to flag when the noise likely needs measuring and managing — it does not measure your noise.

Describe the noise at your workplace

Answer the closest yes/no for each. These are guides, not measurements. Your answers stay in your browser.

1. Do workers have to raise their voice to be understood by someone about a metre away?

This is a well-known rough sign that the noise is likely around or over 85 dB(A) — a prompt to assess it, not a precise reading.

2. Is there impact, sudden or banging noise?

For example hammering, nail guns, drop forges, riveting or anything like a gunshot — this can breach the 140 dB(C) peak limit even when the average level seems lower.

3. Do workers regularly wear hearing protection to cope with the noise?

Earmuffs or earplugs worn frequently to stay within the standard. If yes, audiometric (hearing) testing is triggered.

The noise likely needs assessment and control

Likely over the standard

From your answers, the noise is likely around or over the exposure standard, because workers having to raise their voice to be heard about a metre away is a rough sign the noise may be around or over 85 dB(A). The noise should be properly assessed and, if it is over the standard, controlled using the hierarchy of controls. The exposure standard is 85 dB(A) over an eight-hour day and 140 dB(C) for peak/impact noise.

The exposure standard

The exposure standard for noise (model WHS Regulations reg 56) has two limits: an eight-hour equivalent continuous level of 85 dB(A) (LAeq,8h) averaged over an eight-hour day, and a peak level of 140 dB(C) (LC,peak) for sudden or impact noise. If either limit is exceeded the noise is too high, and your employer (the PCBU) must manage the risk so workers are not exposed above the standard.

What your employer should do about it

Where noise is at or over the standard, the employer must manage the risk using the hierarchy of controls (reg 57): first try to eliminate the noise; if not, reduce it at the source — quieter plant and processes, maintenance, isolating or enclosing noisy equipment, barriers and damping, and moving the noise or the worker away. Hearing protection (earmuffs or earplugs) is the last line of defence, not the first, and does not remove the duty to reduce noise at the source so far as is reasonably practicable.

Audiometric (hearing) testing

Audiometric (hearing) testing is required (reg 58) where a worker is frequently required to use hearing protectors to keep within the noise standard — it must be provided within 3 months of starting that work and then at least every 2 years, at the employer's cost. From your answers, workers are not regularly relying on hearing protection, so testing may not be triggered yet — but if hearing protection becomes a regular control, this requirement applies. (Note: reg 58 was omitted then progressively reintroduced in some jurisdictions — check your WHS regulator.)

This is not a measurement

This tool does not measure noise. The "having to raise your voice to be heard about a metre away" test is only a rough guide that the noise may be around or over 85 dB(A) — it is a prompt to get the noise properly assessed, not a measurement. To know whether the exposure standard is actually exceeded, the employer should arrange noise measurement by a competent person.

The law: Model Work Health and Safety Regulations reg 56 (exposure standard for noise — 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h and 140 dB(C) peak), reg 57 (managing the risk of hearing loss from noise) and reg 58 (audiometric testing). These are the model regulations adopted by NSW, Queensland, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT.

Victoria and WA: Victoria runs its own Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Western Australia its own Work Health and Safety Act 2020, so the exact regulation numbers and audiometric-testing rules can differ there — check your WHS regulator (WorkSafe Victoria or WorkSafe WA). The 85 dB(A) and 140 dB(C) exposure standard is consistent across Australia.

This is general information about managing workplace noise under work health and safety law, not legal advice, and it does not decide your situation or measure your noise exposure. If you are unsure, or you believe your workplace is not managing noise safely, talk to your health and safety representative, your WHS regulator, your union or a workplace lawyer.

This checker is a guide, not a noise measurement. For a quick run-through of your wider work health and safety duties, try the WHS Quick Check, or browse all the work health and safety tools in the Safety Hub.

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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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