A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a document that, for high risk construction work, identifies the work, the hazards and risks, the control measures used to manage those risks, and how those controls will be implemented, monitored and reviewed. Under the model WHS Regulation reg 299 those four elements are mandatory; Victoria applies the same four elements under reg 327 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic).

When is a SWMS legally required?

A SWMS must be prepared before any high risk construction work starts. In the harmonised states and territories (NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT, NT and the Commonwealth) there are 18 high risk construction work categories under WHS Regulation reg 291, and reg 299 requires the SWMS to be prepared first. In Victoria, reg 322 of the OHS Regulations 2017 lists 19 categories and reg 327 requires the SWMS. Examples include a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres, a trench deeper than 1.5 metres, work near energised electrical services, demolition of a load-bearing structure, and disturbing asbestos.

Who prepares the SWMS?

In harmonised jurisdictions the PCBU carrying out the high risk construction work must ensure the SWMS is prepared before work starts (reg 299). In Victoria it is the employer or self-employed person who carries out the work (reg 327). On a construction project of $250,000 or more a principal contractor is appointed and must obtain a copy of each subcontractor's SWMS before their high risk construction work starts. Workers must be consulted and follow the SWMS.

Is this SWMS generator free?

Yes. The Free SWMS Generator is completely free to use. You enter your project details, select the high risk construction work that applies, edit the pre-filled hazards and control measures, then print the SWMS or save it as a PDF using your browser. There is no sign-up, payment or watermark.

How is Victoria different for a SWMS?

Victoria is not part of the harmonised WHS scheme. It uses the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), the terms 'employer' and 'self-employed person' instead of 'PCBU', and lists 19 high risk construction work categories under reg 322 — including a 19th category involving diving. Reg 327 requires the SWMS, and reg 329 only requires it to be kept for the duration of the work, with no 2-year retention extension.

How do I use this tool to build a SWMS?

Choose your state or territory, fill in the project and site details (project name, address, PCBU or principal contractor, date and who prepared it), then tick each high risk construction work category that applies. The tool pre-fills typical hazards, risks and control measures mapped to the hierarchy of controls for each one. Edit those to match your actual site, then use the Print / Save as PDF button to produce a clean printable SWMS document.

Free SWMS Generator — Safe Work Method Statement

Pick your state, enter your project details and tick the high risk construction work that applies. The tool builds a Safe Work Method Statement around the four reg 299 elements — identify the work, hazards and risks, control measures, and how they are implemented and reviewed — with editable pre-filled content you can print or save as a PDF.

Last verified: 20 June 2026

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Free SWMS Generator — Safe Work Method Statement

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