Notifiable incidents in the ACT and the 2025 changes
Short answer
In the ACT, a business notifies WorkSafe ACT as soon as it becomes aware of a death, serious injury or illness, dangerous incident or workplace sexual assault incident. A phone notice can be followed by written notice within 48 hours of a request. The 2025 amendments commenced on 19 November 2025.
Automatically checked against WorkSafe ACT on 31 Oct 2026.
What counts, and who to call
WorkSafe ACT widens the usual three triggers. It adds a workplace sexual assault incident, including a suspected one, that arises out of the conduct of the business. It also says notice is given by the fastest possible means, and a phone call may be followed by a request for written notice.
How ACT differs from the model law
The ACT’s own incident notification amendments commenced on 19 November 2025. WorkSafe ACT says they clarify that an incident needs to arise from the conduct of a business or undertaking. They also update which serious injuries and illnesses are notified. The examples of dangerous incidents include electrical explosions or arc flashes, mobile plant overturns and serious falls. A workplace sexual assault incident is also notifiable. The immediate area where the incident occurred is what is preserved, not the whole workplace.
A worked example
An excavator on a Gungahlin site partly overturns while crossing a slope. The operator is shaken but unhurt. Nobody was injured, but the machine put a person at serious risk, so it’s a dangerous incident. The supervisor notifies WorkSafe ACT at once and leaves the machine and the immediate patch of ground as they are. Unaffected work elsewhere on site carries on.
How Haznote handles it
For an ACT site, Haznote names WorkSafe ACT on the flag. The manager confirms, and photos and GPS from the original report show the machine’s position before anything is moved.
What the regulator says
Each row shows the source’s own words, who published them and when they were last checked by script.
| Item | What it says | Source and check date |
|---|---|---|
| What is notifiable | A workplace sexual assault incident is notifiable to WorkSafe ACT, alongside a death, serious injury or illness, and a dangerous incident. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| Site preservation | Only the immediate area where the incident occurred needs to be preserved, not the whole workplace. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| Written notice on request | If notice is given by telephone, WorkSafe ACT may request follow-up written notice of the incident. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| Written notice deadline | Written notice that WorkSafe ACT asks for must be provided within 48 hours of the request. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| 2025 amendments | Key changes to incident notification requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 commenced in the ACT on 19 November 2025. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| Record keeping | A record of each notifiable incident is kept for at least five years. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
| Clinical judgement | PCBUs are not expected to make clinical judgements about whether an injury is notifiable. Source says: | WorkSafe ACT Checked 31 Oct 2026 |
Plain answers.
Is the whole site preserved?
WorkSafe ACT says the immediate area where the incident occurred is what needs to be preserved, not the whole workplace.
When did the ACT changes start?
WorkSafe ACT says the key changes commenced on 19 November 2025.
Is a near miss notifiable?
A dangerous incident can be notifiable even if no one is hurt, such as a mobile plant overturn. WorkSafe ACT lists examples on its amendments page.
Where this comes from.
- Incident notification and investigation · WorkSafe ACT
- Preserving a site · WorkSafe ACT
- Incident notification amendments · WorkSafe ACT
General information, not legal advice. Check the current rules with WorkSafe ACT.
Flag likely-notifiable reports with WorkSafe ACT named. You confirm.
Run it on one site and see the first report land in the manager’s list.