What is a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN)?

A Provisional Improvement Notice is a written notice a trained Health and Safety Representative (HSR) can issue under the model Work Health and Safety Act (ss90-101) when they reasonably believe a person is contravening, or has contravened and is likely to again, the WHS Act or Regulations. It states the belief, identifies the specific provision contravened, says briefly how, and sets a day to remedy the contravention.

Only a Health and Safety Representative who has completed the approved HSR training course can issue a PIN (s90(3)). The HSR must reasonably believe a person is contravening, or has contravened and is likely to again, a WHS duty, and must first consult the person about the contravention before issuing the notice (s91).

How long does the recipient have to comply with a PIN?

The PIN must specify a day to remedy the contravention that is at least 8 days after the notice is issued (s92). This 8-day minimum is consistent across the harmonised jurisdictions. The HSR can allow a longer period.

Can a PIN be challenged or reviewed?

Yes. Under the model Act the person issued with a PIN may ask the regulator to appoint an inspector to review it within 7 days of being given the notice, and the PIN is stayed until the inspector confirms, changes or cancels it (ss100-101). The 7-day window is the model figure — in Queensland it is 3 days. Victoria, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, differs.

Does Victoria use the same PIN rules?

No. Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), not the model WHS Act, with different section numbers and 'designated work groups'. The PIN content requirements and review window differ — check WorkSafe Victoria and the OHS Act. Western Australia uses the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA), an equivalent of the model Act.

Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) Builder

Build a Provisional Improvement Notice as a trained Health and Safety Representative. Enter the person or PCBU it is issued to, the provision you believe is contravened, briefly how, and a remedy date the tool checks against the 8-day minimum — then print a compliant PIN that sets out the recipient's review rights.

Last verified: 21 June 2026Jump to calculator ↓

A trained HSR may issue a Provisional Improvement Notice stating their belief, the specific provision contravened, briefly how, and a day to remedy that is at least 8 days after issue (model WHS Act ss90-101). The recipient may seek an inspector review within 7 days (Queensland 3 days; Victoria's OHS Act differs).

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Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) Builder

Step 1 — Consult first (s91)

The notice

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