What is a notifiable incident under work health and safety law?

Under the model Work Health and Safety Act (and Victoria's Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004), a notifiable incident is the death of a person, a serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident that arises out of the conduct of a business or undertaking. A serious injury or illness is one that requires immediate treatment such as admission to hospital as an in-patient, amputation, a serious head, eye or burn injury, degloving or scalping, a spinal injury, loss of a bodily function, or serious lacerations.

When do I have to report a notifiable incident?

You must notify the regulator immediately by the fastest means — usually phone — as soon as you become aware of a notifiable incident (s38 of the model WHS Act). If the regulator asks, you then give written notice within 48 hours of that request. In Victoria you notify WorkSafe immediately and then in writing within 48 hours.

Who do I call to report a workplace incident in my state?

SafeWork NSW 13 10 50; WorkSafe Victoria 13 23 60; Workplace Health and Safety Queensland 1300 362 128; SafeWork SA 1800 777 209; WorkSafe WA 1800 678 198; WorkSafe Tasmania 1300 366 322; WorkSafe ACT 13 22 81; NT WorkSafe 1800 019 115; and Comcare 1300 366 979 for Commonwealth-covered workplaces.

Does Western Australia have a 10-day notification rule?

No. Western Australia has no "10-day" notification rule. Under s38 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) you must notify WorkSafe WA immediately, give written notice within 48 hours if the regulator requests it, and keep a record of the notifiable incident for 5 years.

How long do I have to keep a record of the incident?

A person conducting a business or undertaking must keep a record of each notifiable incident for at least 5 years from the day notice of the incident is given to the regulator (s38 of the model WHS Act).

What can I disturb at the incident site before an inspector arrives?

You must not disturb the site where a notifiable incident occurred until an inspector arrives or the regulator directs otherwise (s39 of the model WHS Act; s40 of the OHS Act 2004 (Vic)). You may disturb it to help an injured person, to remove a deceased person, to make the site safe, or where the regulator allows it.

Notifiable Incident Checker — Do I Have to Report This to WorkSafe?

Check if a workplace death, serious injury or dangerous incident is notifiable in your Australian state, who to call and your deadline.

Last verified: 20 June 2026

Notifiable incidents — deaths, serious injuries or illnesses, and dangerous incidents — must be reported to your WHS regulator immediately. This tool tells you whether your incident is notifiable, who to call and what to do next, for every Australian state and territory.

Check if a workplace incident is notifiable

Answer two questions to see whether you must report the incident to your work health and safety regulator, who to call, and your deadline. This is general information — when in doubt, call the regulator.

1. Your state or territory

2. What kind of incident was it?

Select the incident type above to see your reporting obligations.

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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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