Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Australia
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
In Australia, ergonomic risks are managed under general work health and safety duties and hazardous manual task requirements rather than a standalone ergonomics regulation. Work health and safety legislation is harmonised across most Australian states and territories; however, specific guidance and enforcement practices may vary between jurisdictions. Employers must comply with the WHS laws and regulator guidance applicable in the state or territory in which they operate.
Page last updated: 05/02/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
Under Australian work health and safety law, employers (PCBUs) must manage ergonomic risks so far as is reasonably practicable. The following points reflect key risk-management expectations and guidance.
- Workstation setup - Employers must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that risks associated with DSE workstations are identified and controlled, taking into account factors such as screen height and angle, keyboard and mouse positioning, and chair design.
- Ergonomic design - Workstations should be designed using ergonomic principles where relevant, to assist in minimising the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and other health issues.
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Seating - For tasks undertaken in a seated position, workers should be provided with seating that:
- provides good body support, especially for the lower back.
- provides foot support, preferably with both feet flat on the floor, otherwise a footrest should be provided.
- allows adequate space for leg clearance and freedom of movement.
- is fully adjustable to accommodate different sized workers (with seat height, back rest height and back rest tilt adjustments). - User training - Employers must provide information, instruction and training, so far as is reasonably practicable, to enable workers to use DSE workstations safely and minimise health and safety risks.
- Regular reviews - Employers should review DSE workstations where changes occur or risks are identified, to ensure controls remain effective and do not pose health and safety risks.
- Adjustments - Employers should ensure that workers can easily adjust their DSE workstations to suit their individual needs and preferences.
- Record-keeping - Employers may be required to keep records of DSE assessments and any actions taken to address identified issues.
- Equipment provision - For employees working from home, employers may be required to implement appropriate control measures, which in some circumstances may include providing equipment, to manage work health and safety risks for home working employees.
The Duties of
The Employer
🏠 for Remote Work
- Duty of care - Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of their employees, even when they are working from home. This includes providing a safe working environment and ensuring that workstations meet ergonomic standards.
- Equal application - The WHS Act applies to home-based work in the same way it applies to traditional workplaces. Employers are required to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees while they are working from home.
- Workstation assessments - Employers should conduct workstation assessments for employees working from home to ensure that their home office setups meet ergonomic standards and do not pose health and safety risks.
- Training and information - Employers should provide training and information to employees on how to set up their home offices correctly and use DSE safely to minimize health and safety risks.
- Regular reviews - Employers should conduct regular reviews of home office setups to ensure they continue to meet ergonomic standards and do not pose health and safety risks.
- Equipment provision - Employers may be required to provide equipment, such as ergonomic chairs or keyboards, to employees working from home to ensure their health and safety.
The Duties of
The Employee
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While at work, a worker must:
(a) take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety
(b) take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons
(c) comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the person conducting the business or undertaking to allow the person to comply with this Act
(d) co‑operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the person conducting the business or undertaking relating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers.
The information on this page comes from...
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
