From 1 December 2026, the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) list will be replaced by the Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list.
The list is developed, maintained and published by Safe Work Australia (SWA). WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe) adopts the list in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) and Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022 (DG SH Regulations). Victorian regulations will continue to incorporate the Workplace exposure limits (WEL) for airborne contaminants published by SWA.
CMPA has been engaged in the consultation process on Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) (mining industry) as differentiated in the Consultation Paper and with reference to the related but lower risk in the quarry sector.
We supported retaining the current TWA WES of 0.05 mg/m3 for respirable crystalline silica for quarry and C&D waste recycling sectors.
While limits for most chemicals will remain unchanged, some may have a WEL introduced, removed, increased or reduced.
1 December 2029 commencement for some substances in Victoria.
It is proposed to delay the commencement of the WEL for 15 airborne contaminants until 1 December 2029 to provide businesses with additional time to comply with the new limits for those substances.
The substances are:
- bitumen fumes
- diesel particulate matter (DPM) measured as respirable elemental carbon
- flour dust
- grain dust
- hydrogen fluoride
- manganese fume
- methyl bromide
- nickel fume
- nitric oxide
- perchloroethylene
- phosphine
- portland cement
- styrene monomer
- sulphur dioxide
- wood dust
Diesel particulate matter (DPM) in Victoria
The WEL list introduces specific exposure limits for DPM for the first time and is measured as respirable elemental carbon.
In Victoria the exposure limit for DPM measured as respirable elemental carbon will differ from the WEL. The proposed limits are:
- Underground mining work
- Limit of 0.1 mg/m³ applies from 1 December 2026
- All other industries
- Limit of 0.1 mg/m³ applies from 1 December 2026
- WEL of 0.01 mg/m³ applies from 1 December 2029.
Proposed workplace exposure limits for 9 chemicals
Following consideration of the Decision RIS, Work Health and Safety Ministers agreed there will be no change to the exposure limits for these 9 chemicals at this time:
Benzene, chlorine, copper, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable crystalline silica and titanium dioxide.
The current exposure standards for these chemicals will be adopted as WEL on 1 December 2026.
Non-threshold genotoxic carcinogens (NTGCs)
Some substances have been removed from the WES list and classified as NTGCs. This reflects current scientific evidence that no safe level of exposure can be established.
As these substances do not have a WEL, employers must eliminate exposure so far as is reasonably practicable, or if this is not reasonably practicable, minimise exposure using the highest level of controls available.
The list of NTGCs is included in Appendix B of the WEL.
What this means for operators
To prepare for the changes commencing on 1 December 2026, operators should:
- identify airborne contaminants used or generated in their workplace
- understand which exposure limits may apply to their operations
- review hazardous chemical registers and safety data sheets (SDS)
- assess current exposure controls
- plan for any changes needed to meet future requirements.
For the list of changes between WES and WEL visit: Safe Work Australia Workplace Changes between the WES and WEL |
The CMPA will continue to advocate for a regulatory framework that recognises the diversity of Victoria’s extractive industry and the significant contribution made by businesses of all sizes.
Read more in CMPA’s Submission to WorkSafe Victoria