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2010-2011
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education,
Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations,)
Outline
WORK HEATH AND SAFETY (TRANSITIONAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS)
BILL 2011
OUTLINE
The Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011 (the WHS
(T&C) Bill) makes transitional and consequential provisions in relation to the new
Commonwealth occupational health and safety (OHS) system set out in the Work Health and
Safety Bill 2011 (the WHS Bill).
The WHS Bill will implement the Model Work Health and Safety Bill (the model Bill) within the
Commonwealth jurisdiction and form part of a system of nationally harmonised OHS laws.
The Bill:
repeals the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the OHS Act);
makes transitional provisions covering a range of matters where action of some kind may
have commenced under the OHS Act before it was repealed or where breaches of
that Act might have occurred before it was repealed; and
makes consequential amendments to the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act
1988 and the Social Security Act 1991 that arise from the WHS Bill.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
A financial impact statement is provided in relation to the WHS Bill. No financial impact arises
from this Bill separate from the impact of the WHS Bill.
REGULATION IMPACT STATEMENT
A regulation impact statement is provided in relation to the WHS Bill. No regulation impact
arises from this Bill separate from the impact of the WHS Bill.
House of Representatives Page 1 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Outline
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations are used in this Explanatory Memorandum:
ADF Australian Defence Force
Commission Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission
HSR Health and safety representative
OHS occupational health and safety
OHS Act Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991
SRC Act Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
WHS Work health and safety
WHS Act Work Health and Safety Act 2011
WHS Bill Work Health and Safety Bill 2011
WHS inspector Inspector appointed under Part 9 of the WHS Bill
WHS (T&C) Act Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequential) Act
2011
WHS (T&C) Bill Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequential) Bill
2011
House of Representatives Page 2 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Notes on Clauses
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Part 1 - Preliminary
Clause 1 - Short title
This is a formal provision specifying the short title of the Act.
Clause 2 - Commencement
This clause specifies when the Act commences.
Whilst the Act itself will commence on the day of Royal Assent, the substantive parts of the
Act, sections 3 and 4 and Schedules 1 to 4, will commence at the same time as the Work
Health and Safety Act 2011, 1 January 2012.
Clause 3 - Definitions
This clause contains a number of definitions relevant to this Bill. The main ones being:
commencing day means 1 January 2012, which is the date the Work Health and Safety Act
2011 is expected to commence.
modifications include additions, omissions and substitutions
OHS Act means the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and includes any instrument
made under that Act.
For the purposes of this Bill, plant, structure, substance and supply, have the same
meanings as in the OHS Act, where a provision of this Bill continues to apply duties to those
items. Otherwise, in relation to duties imposed under the WHS Act, the items have the
meanings given in that Act.
residual operation of OHS Act has the meaning given by Item 13 of Schedule 2 of this Bill.
SRC Act means the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and includes any
instrument made under that Act.
WHS Act means the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and includes any instrument made
under that Act.
Clause 4 - Regulations
This clause allows the Governor-General to make regulations to prescribe matters required
or permitted by this Bill to be prescribed or that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed
for carrying out or giving effect to this Bill.
House of Representatives Page 3 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 1 ~ Repeal of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991
Schedule 1 - Repeal of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991
Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991
Item 1 - The whole of the Act
Item 1 repeals the OHS Act in its entirety. The OHS Act will be replaced by the Work Health
and Safety Act 2011.
House of Representatives Page 4 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
Schedule 2 - Transitional provisions
Schedule 2 of the Bill includes provisions to deal with the transition from the OHS Act to the
WHS Act and are based on principles developed and agreed to by Safe Work Australia as
part of a coordinated approach to implementation.
Part 1 - Application generally
Item 1 - Application of OHS Act to certain breaches etc
Subitem 1(1) provides that the OHS Act continues to apply to a breach, or alleged breach, of
that Act which occurred before the day the WHS Act commenced. The relevant provisions in
the OHS Act would also apply to any proceedings for breaches of the OHS Act.
In the case of continuing breaches, the OHS Act would not apply to actions or inactions to
the extent that they occur on or after the day that the WHS Act commences. For example, if
two days after commencement an inspector attends a workplace and discovers an unsafe
piece of plant, the WHS Act would apply even though the plant may have been unsafe for 2
months and would have also constituted a breach of the OHS Act.
Subitem 1(2) however, would not apply where subitems 3(2), 4(2), 5(2), and 6(3) apply.
These items are explained below and preserve the OHS Act in relation to specific duty
holders and certain activities that had commenced prior to the commencement of the WHS
Act for a transitional period.
Part 2 - Application of duties imposed under WHS Act
Item 2 - Duties of designers
Subitem 2(1) provides that, subject to other provisions in the item, the duties imposed on a
designer under section 22 of the WHS Act will not apply to design activities if the designer
started or completed the design before the day that the WHS Act commenced.
Subitem 2(2) provides for the phasing in of the designer duties. If a designer has the benefit
of an exemption because of subitem 2(1), but has not completed the design on the second
anniversary of the day the WHS Act commences, then the designer must comply with the
duties in the WHS Act.
Subitem 2(3) further limits the exception in subitem 2(1) and provides that where a designer
carries out any calculations, analysis, testing, or examination to ensure that a product is safe
the duties in paragraph 22(4)(b) of the WHS Act will apply. This means that the designer
must provide certain information to any person who is given the design for use and must also
provide this information on request from a person who is using, or will use, the design.
Item 3 - Duties of manufacturers
Item 3 sets out the way that the duties placed on manufacturers in the OHS Act and WHS
Act will operate on and after commencement. Subitem 3(1) provides that, subject to other
provisions in the item, the duties imposed on a manufacturer under section 23 of the WHS
Act will not apply in relation to the manufacture of plant, substances or structures if the
House of Representatives Page 5 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
manufacturer started or completed any process associated with the manufacture before the
day that the WHS Act commenced.
Subitem 3(2) provides that where a process is exempt from the operation of the WHS Act
because it was started (or started and completed) before commencement, the relevant
provisions of the OHS Act will apply.
Subitem 3(3) clarifies that if a duty under the OHS Act applies because of subitem 3(2), then
the OHS Act will apply in relation to any breach.
Subitem 3(4) provides for the phasing in of all of the new duties in section 23 of the WHS
Act. If a manufacturer has the benefit of an exemption because of subitem 3(1), but has not
completed the manufacture on the first anniversary of the day the WHS Act commences,
then the manufacturer must comply with the duties in the WHS Act.
Subitem 3(5) further limits the exception in subitem 3(1) and provides that where a
manufacturer carries out any calculations, analysis, testing, or examination to ensure that a
product is safe the duties in 23(4)(b) and 23(5) of the WHS Act apply. This means that the
manufacturer must provide certain information to any person who is provided with the
product and must also provide this information on request from a person who is using, or will
use, the product.
Item 4 - Duties of importers
Item 4 sets out the way that the duties placed on importers in the OHS Act and WHS Act will
operate on and after commencement. The OHS Act deems importers to be manufacturers in
certain circumstances and subject to the same duties in section 18 of the OHS Act (see
section 18(3)).
Subitem 4(1) provides that, subject to other provisions in the item, the duties imposed on an
importer under section 24 of the WHS Act will not apply in relation to the importation of any
plant, substance or structure if the importer started or completed any steps in the importation
before the day that the WHS Act commenced.
Subitem 4(2) provides that where a process is exempt from the operation of the WHS Act
because it was started (or started and completed) before commencement, the relevant
provisions of the OHS Act will apply.
Subitem 4(3) clarifies that if the OHS Act applies because of subitem 4(2), then the OHS Act
applies in relation to any breach.
Subitem 4(4) provides for the phasing in of all of the importer duties. If an importer has the
benefit of an exemption because of subitem 4(1), but has not completed the importation on
the first anniversary of the day the WHS Act commences, then the importer must comply with
the duties in the WHS Act.
Subitem 4(5) further limits the exception in subitem 4(1) and provides that where an importer
carries out any calculations, analysis, testing, or examination to ensure that a product is safe
the duties in 24(2)(b) and section 24(5)of the WHS Act will apply. This means that the
importer must provide certain information to any person who is provided with the product and
must also provide this information on request by a person who is using the product.
House of Representatives Page 6 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
Item 5 - Duties of suppliers
Item 5 sets out the way that the duties placed on suppliers in the OHS Act and WHS Act will
operate on and after commencement. Subitem 5(1) provides that, subject to other provisions
in the item, the duties imposed on a supplier under section 25 of the WHS Act will not apply
in relation to the supply of plant, substances or structures if the supplier started (or started
and completed) any process associated with the supply before the day that the WHS Act
commenced.
Subitem 5(2) provides that where a process is exempt from the operation of the WHS Act
because it was started (or started and finished) before the WHS Act commenced, the
relevant provisions of the OHS Act will apply. In the case of suppliers and persons deemed
to be suppliers under subsection 19(2) of the OHS Act, subitem 5(2) provides that section
19(1) applies. This section provides, in summary, that a supplier must ensure that plant and
substances are safe for use, have been appropriately tested, and are accompanied by
adequate information.
Subitem 5(3) clarifies that if the OHS Act applies because of subitem 5(2), then the OHS Act
applies in relation to any breach.
Subitem 5(4) provides for the phasing in of all of the supplier duties. If a supplier has the
benefit of an exemption because if subitem 5(1), but has not completed the supply on the
first anniversary of the day the WHS Act commences, then the supplier must comply with the
duties in the WHS Act.
Subitem 5(5) further limits the exception in subitem 5(1) and provides that where a supplier
carries out any calculations, analysis, testing, or examination to ensure that a product is safe
the duties in 25(4)(b) and 25(5) of the WHS Act would apply. This means that the supplier
must provide adequate information to any person who is supplied with the product and must
also provide this information on request from a person who is using, or will use, the product.
Item 6 - Duties of persons who install, construct or commission plant or structures
Item 6 sets out the way that the duties of persons who install, construct or commission plant
or structures in the OHS Act and WHS Act will operate on and after commencement of the
WHS Act.
Subitem 6(1) defines `OHS installer' and `WHS installer'. WHS installer is defined to include
persons who construct and commission plant in order to reflect the wider scope of duties in
the WHS Act.
Subitem 6(2) provides that, subject to other provisions in the item, the duties imposed on a
WHS installer under section 26 of the WHS Act do not apply in relation to the installation,
construction or commissioning of plant or structures if the person started (or started and
completed) any process associated with the installation, construction or commissioning
before the day that the WHS Act commenced.
Subitem 6(3) provides that where a process is exempt from the operation of the WHS Act
because it was started (or started and completed) before commencement of the WHS
Act,the duties imposed on OHS installers by section 20(1) of the OHS Act apply. This section
of the OHS Act provides, in summary, that an installer must ensure that plant is erected or
House of Representatives Page 7 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
installed in a manner that poses no risks to the health and safety of employees at the
workplace, and is safe for its intended use.
Subitem 6(4) clarifies that if the OHS Act applies because of subitem 6(3), then the OHS Act
applies in relation to any breach.
Subitem 6(5) provides for the phasing in of all of the duties of WHS installers. If a person
has the benefit of an exemption because of subitem 6(1), but has not completed the relevant
activity on the second anniversary of the day the WHS Act commences, then the person
must comply with the duties in the WHS Act.
Part 3 - Notifiable incidents etc.
Item 7 - Notifiable incidents etc.
Item 7 provides that the incident notification provisions in the WHS Act will apply to a
notifiable incident if the relevant person becomes aware of the incident on or after the day
the WHS Act commences. For example, if a notifiable incident occurred on the day before
the WHS Act commenced but the relevant person only became aware of the incident 3 days
later, they would be required to notify Comcare of the incident in accordance with section 38
of the WHS Act.
Item 8 - Accidents and dangerous occurrences
Item 8 ensures that the relevant provisions in the OHS Act relating to the keeping of records
of accidents and occurrences will be preserved. This means that employers will be required
to keep these records for the length of time set out in the OHS Act.
Part 4 - Work groups, health and safety representatives and health and safety
committees
Item 9 - Work groups, health and safety representatives and health and safety
committees continue as such
Item 9 preserves certain appointments made immediately prior to the repeal of the OHS Act
and ensures they will be recognised for the purpose of the WHS Act. Paragraph 9(1)(a)
provides for the continuation of a designated work group in operation immediately before the
repeal of the OHS Act for the purpose of the WHS Act.
Paragraph 9(1)(b) deems a person appointed as a Health and Safety Representative (HSR)
or deputy HSR immediately prior to the repeal of the OHS Act to have been appointed as an
HSR under the WHS Act for a period of 3 years from the most recent date of appointment
under the OHS Act.
Paragraph 9(1)(c) deems a Health and Safety Committee (HSC) established under the OHS
Act to have been established under the WHS Act subject to the adjustments required (if any)
set out in subitem 9(4).
Subitem 9(2) provides that processes to establish or vary a designated work group, appoint
an HSR, or establish an HSC will be preserved and recognised under the WHS Act. On
House of Representatives Page 8 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
commencement of the WHS Act these processes will continue to be subject to the
requirements in the OHS Act and related regulations.
Subitem 9(3) provides that if a process to appoint an HSR is not completed within 3 months
of the day the WHS Act commences, then the process will not be preserved and a new
process must be recommenced under the WHS Act.
Clause 65 of the WHS Bill provides that if there is an HSR at a workplace, that HSR must be
a member of the HSC, if he or she consents. Subitem 9(4) deems the HSR to also be
appointed to an HSC that is preserved by subitem (1)(c) to ensure that it is consistent with
the requirements in the WHS Act.
Subitem 9(5) clarifies that subitem 9(4) does not prevent parties from making any changes to
a HSC that are permitted by the WHS Act.
Item 10 - Training
This item provides that a person who has completed a course of HSR training accredited by
the Commission for the purpose of section 27 of the OHS Act will be taken to have
completed an approved course of training under the WHS Act as required by sections 86(6)
or 90(4) of the WHS Act for 12 months following commencement of the WHS Act.
This means that a person who continues to be appointed as a HSR upon the
commencement of the WHS Act will continue to have the power to issue an improvement
notice or to direct that work cease, albeit under sections 86 and 90 of the WHS Act.
Subitem 10(2) provides that subitem 10(1) will cease to apply 12 months after the WHS Act
commences. After this time, a HSR will need to have completed an approved course of
training under the WHS Act before exercising powers and functions under sections 86 and
90 of the WHS Act.
Item 11 - Provisional improvement notices
Item 11 provides that a provisional improvement notice that is in effect on the day the WHS
Act commences will be preserved. The OHS Act will continue to apply in relation to the
procedural aspects of the notices, and also in relation to any parts of the OHS Act that the
notice concerns. For example, if a person wanted to appeal a notice, the procedures in the
OHS Act would apply. If the notice concerned compliance with the general duty in section 16
of the OHS Act, then that section would also continue to apply.
Item 12 - Disqualification
Item 12 deems a person who is disqualified from being an HSR under the OHS Act to also
be disqualified from being an HSR under the WHS Act. Subitem 12(2) provides that the
period of disqualification is the period of disqualification outstanding on the day the WHS Act
commences, which may be a set period or indefinitely.
Subitem 12(3) provides that if an application is made to disqualify an HSR under the WHS
Act then any improper performance of their powers, or misuse of information acquired in the
course of their role under the OHS Act should be a relevant factor.
Subitem 12(4) clarifies that the item applies to a deputy HSR in the same way that it applies
to an HSR.
House of Representatives Page 9 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
Part 5 - Comcare and inspectors
Item 13 - Residual operation of OHS Act
This item defines `residual operation of the OHS Act' for the purposes of this Part.
Item 14 - Appointment
Subitem 14(1) provides that a person who, on commencement of the WHS Act, holds office
as an investigator under the OHS Act and is a member of the staff of Comcare, is taken to
have been appointed as an inspector under the WHS Act.
Subitem 14(2) deems an identity card issued to an inspector under the OHS Act that is valid
immediately prior to commencement of the WHS Act to be an identity card given by the
Regulator under the WHS Act.
Item 15 - Use of WHS functions and powers to enforce OHS Act
Subitems 15(1), (2) and (3) enable inspectors appointed (or deemed to be appointed) under
the WHS Act to exercise their powers and functions under the WHS Act in relation to the
residual operation of the OHS Act.
Inspectors will be able to exercise their functions and powers under the WHS Act in relation
to actions or failures that occurred before the commencement of the WHS Act when
investigating matters after commencement of the WHS Act, whether or not the investigation
commenced prior to the commencement of the WHS Act.
For example an inspector will be able to enter premises for the purpose of investigating a
matter relating to the residual operation of the OHS Act in accordance with Division 3 of Part
9 of the WHS Act.
Subitem 15(4) further provides that any action taken or information that is acquired through
the exercise of functions or powers under the WHS Act may be used for the purposes of the
OHS Act. This would, for example, permit the use of information acquired during an interview
as evidence in a prosecution of a breach of the OHS Act.
Subitem 15(5) provides, for the avoidance of doubt, that inspectors are also able to exercise
compliance powers for the purposes of the item.
Subitem 15(6) clarifies that nothing in the item affects or limits any action that may be taken
in relation to the residual operation of the OHS Act.
Item 16 - WHS inspectors may exercise functions and powers under OHS Act
Item 16 provides that inspectors may also exercise the functions and powers of an
investigator under the OHS Act in relation to the residual operation of the OHS Act.
Item 17 - Comcare may use powers of investigation under WHS Act for OHS Act
Subitems 17(1), (2) and (3) enable Comcare to exercise the power to obtain information
under section 155 of the WHS Act for the purpose of investigating matters relating to the
residual operation of the OHS Act.
Comcare will be able to obtain information in relation to actions or failures that occurred
before the commencement of the WHS Act when investigating matters after commencement
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Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
of the WHS Act, whether or not the investigation began prior to the commencement of the
WHS Act.
Subitem 17(4) further provides that any action taken or information that is acquired through
the exercise of functions or powers under the WHS Act may be used for the purposes of the
OHS Act. This would, for example, permit information acquired on Comcare's request under
section 155 to be used as evidence in a prosecution of a breach of the OHS Act.
Subitem 17(5) clarifies that nothing in the item affects or limits any action that may be taken
in relation to the residual operation of the OHS Act.
Part 6 - Enforcement measures
Item 18 - Prohibition notices
Item 19 - Improvement notices
These items provide that a prohibition notice or improvement notice that was in effect on the
day the WHS Act commenced will be preserved. The OHS Act will continue to apply in
relation to the procedural aspects of the notices, and also in relation to any parts of the OHS
Act that the notice concerns. For example, if a person wanted to appeal a notice, the
procedures in the OHS Act would apply. If the notice concerned compliance with the general
duty in section 16 of the OHS Act, then that section would also continue to apply.
Item 20 - Undertakings
Item 20 preserves undertakings entered into under clause 16 of Schedule 2 of the OHS Act
for `a transitional period'.
Subitem 20(1) provides that the item applies to undertakings entered into under item 16 of
schedule 2 to the OHS Act.
Subitem 20(2) provides that the OHS Act continues to apply to undertakings during a
`transitional period'. Subitem 20(3) defines the transitional period for the undertaking as
beginning at the start of the day the WHS Act commences and ending:
· 2 years later; or
· when the undertaking is revoked or ceases to be in force if this happens earlier.
Part 7 - Other matters
Item 21 - Authorisations
Item 21 preserves any registration, licence, permit, accreditation or other form of
authorisation under the OHS Act that is prescribed in the Regulations. A preserved
authorisation will be recognised as an authorisation under the WHS Act.
Item 22 - Exemptions
Item 22 preserves any exemption under the OHS Act that is prescribed in the Regulations. A
preserved exemption will be recognised as an exemption under the WHS Act.
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Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
Item 23 - Codes of practice
Item 23 deals with the preservation of the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice
2008 (OHS code of practice) for a transitional period. To assist the harmonisation of WHS
laws, SWA will developee a number of model codes of practice to support key duties under
the model WHS Act and Regulations. While many of these codes will be in place on
commencement of the new WHS law on 1 January 2012, a number of `second stage' codes
will be finalised after commencement. The codes will ultimately replace the OHS code of
practice; however, to avoid gaps, parts of the code will need to be preserved for a transitional
period.
This item preserves those parts of the OHS code of practice that are prescribed in the
regulations for a transitional period of up to 2 years.
Item 24 - Annual reports
Subitem 24(1) provides that despite the repeal of the OHS Act, sections 74, 75 and 75A of
the OHS Act continue to apply in relation to the financial year beginning on 1 July 2011.
These sections require certain matters to be included in the annual reports of
Commonwealth bodies, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and
Comcare.
Subitem 24(2) limits this requirement and provides that the information in the reports need
only relate to the period beginning on 1 July 2011 and ending on 31 December 2011. This
means that reports are not required to include statistics in relation to the second six months
of the financial year beginning on 1 July 2011.
House of Representatives Page 12 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
Schedule 3 - Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
Part 1 - Consequential amendments
Item 1 - Subparagraph 69(ef)(ii)
This item is consequential on the commencement of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
(WHS Act) and the Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequential provisions) Act
2011. Section 69 of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) sets
out a number of functions given to Comcare. Item 1 expands subparagraph 69(ef)(ii) to
provide that Comcare may apply regulatory contributions, application and licence fees
together with interest earned on those contributions in meeting the costs incurred by the
Commission and Comcare in carrying out their respective functions under the new WHS Act
and the Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequential provisions) Act 2011 (the
Transitional Act) as well as the OHS Act which will continue to have residual operation as a
result of item 1 of Schedule 2.
Item 2 - Section 69 (note)
This item is consequential on the repeal of the OHS Act and commencement of the WHS
Act. It will omit the reference to the OHS Act in the note at the end of section 69 and replace
it with a reference to the new WHS Act.
Item 3 - Subsection 73(1)
Section 73 of the SRC Act provides the Minister with the power to give written directions to
Comcare with respect to the performance of its functions or exercise of its powers. Section
12A of the OHS Act contains a similar provision, but with the repealing of that Act it is
convenient to have all the Minister's powers to give directions to Comcare located in the one
provision of the SRC Act. Accordingly, item 3 amends subsection 73(1) by inserting a
reference to the WHS Act.
Item 4 - Subsection 73A(3)
This amendment is consequential to the repeal of the OHS Act and the commencement of
the WHS Act.
Under section 12A of the OHS Act, the Minister may give directions to Comcare. As the OHS
Act is being repealed, item 4 omits the reference to provisions of the OHS Act.
Item 5 - Section 73B
Item 5 clarifies that Comcare's power to delegate its functions and powers under section 73B
does not extend to its functions and powers under the new WHS Act. Clause 154 of the WHS
Act enables Comcare to delegate its powers and functions under that Act.
Item 6 - Section 73B (note)
Item 7 - At the end of section 73B
Item 7 adds a new `Note 2' to aid readers of the SRC Act by advising them that the
delegation of Comcare's functions and powers under the WHS Act are dealt with in section
154 of that Act.
House of Representatives Page 13 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 3 ~ Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
Item 6 adds a number `1' to the current note as a consequence of the second `note' being
adde by item 7.
Item 8 - At the end of section 89B
Section 89B of the SRC Act sets out the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation
Commission's (the Commission) functions under that Act. Item 8 adds a new note as an aid
to readers, advising them that additional functions are conferred on the Commission by the
WHS Act.
Item 9 - Subsection 89D(1)
This is a consequential amendment to the repeal of the OHS Act and the commencement of
the WHS Act.
Subsection 89D(1) of the SRC Act provides the Minister with the power to give written
directions to the Commission with respect to the performance of its functions or the exercise
of its powers. A similar provision is contained in subsection 12(2) of the OHS Act, but as that
Act is being repealed, item 9 inserts a reference to the WHS Act in subsection 89D(1), so
that the Minister's power to give directions to the Commission on OHS matters would be
retained.
Item 10 - Paragraph 89E(1)(b)
Item 11 - Paragraph 89E(1)(c)
Items 10 and 11 amend the composition of the membership of the Commission.
The current composition of the Commission comprises:
· 2 employee representatives nominated by the ACTU
· 3 employer representatives representing the Commonwealth and Commonwealth
authorities, licensees and ACT public sector employers
· 1 member who represents the members and former members of the Defence Force
· 2 `experts'
· An independent Chairperson
· the CEO of Comcare
· the CEO of SWA
Item 10 provides for the CEO of Comcare to no longer be a member of the Commission.
Item 11 provides for an additional employee representative nominated by the ACTU to be
appointed as a member of the Commission.
Item 12 - Subsection 89R(1)
Item 13 - After subsection 89R(1)
Item 12 amends subsection 89R(1) by adding a reference to new subsection 89R(1A). The
current subsection 89R(1) provides that the Commission may delegate to the CEO of
Comcare or any of its members all or any of its functions or powers.
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Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
Item 13 would insert a new subsection 89R(1A), which would qualify subsection 89R(1) by
providing that the Commission must not delegate to the CEO of Comcare any of its functions
or powers under the WHS Act. This is because under the WHS Act, the Commission has a
role separate from that of Comcare, and accordingly, it would not be appropriate for any of
the Commission's functions or powers to be delegated to Comcare.
Item 14 - Subsection 91(3)
This is a minor technical amendment that updates the language of the subsection by omitting
"shall" and substituting "must". No change is made to the meaning of the subsection by this
proposed amendment.
Item 15 - Paragraph 91(3)(a)
This is a consequential amendment to the commencement of the WHS Act.
Subsection 91(3) of the SRC Act sets out how the money of Comcare may be applied.
Paragraph 91(3)(a) provides that the money may be applied towards the costs incurred by
Comcare in relation to a number of Acts including the OHS Act. Item 15 updates the
paragraph by adding references to the WHS Act and the Transitional Act.
Item 16 - Section 96
This is a consequential amendment to the repeal of the OHS Act and the commencement of
the WHS Act. Item 16 will extend the meaning of `Commonwealth authority' for the purposes
of the provisions in relation to regulatory contributions to include a body that would not
otherwise be a Commonwealth authority for the purposes of the SRC Act if it is a public
authority for the purposes of the WHS Act.
This amendment is required to ensure that all public authorities covered by the WHS Act are
liable to pay a regulatory contribution to meet the costs incurred by Comcare and the
Commission in exercising their powers and functions under the WHS Act.
Item 17 - Paragraph 97D(2)(d)
This is a consequential amendment to the commencement of the WHS Act.
Section 97D of the SRC Act provides for Comcare to make determinations in relation to the
OHS regulatory contribution to be paid by premium paying employers. These determinations
are made subject to any guidelines issued by the Commission. Paragraph 97D(2)(d)
provides that the regulatory contribution to be paid includes the estimated cost incurred by
the Commission and Comcare in carrying out their respective functions under the OHS Act.
Item 17 amends the paragraph to include references to the WHS Act and the Transitional
Act.
Item 17A - After subsection 104(2)
Item 17A inserts a news subsection (2A) into section 104 of the SRC Act. The new
subsection provides that the Commission must not grant a licence to an applicant where,
because of the past conduct of the applicant in complying with laws or meeting obligations in
relation to OHS, rehabilitation or claims management it is unlikely, if licensed, to meet the
standards set by the Commission.
Item 18 - Paragraph 104A(2)(b)
House of Representatives Page 15 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 3 ~ Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
This is a consequential amendment to the commencement of the WHS Act.
Section 104A of the SRC Act provides that a licensee under the SRC Act is liable to pay a
licence fee and the Commission is to estimate the licence fee based on certain matters.
Paragraph 104A(2)(b) currently provides that in the case of a licensee covered by the OHS
Act, part of the fee is to cover the cost of carrying out the Commission's and Comcare's
functions under the OHS Act.
Item 18 repeals the current paragraph and substitutes a new paragraph which provides that
part of the cost of the licence includes the cost incurred, if any, by the Commission and
Comcare in carrying out their functions under the OHS Act, WHS Act and the Transitional
Act.
Item 19 - Subsection 150(2)
This is a consequential amendment to the commencement of the WHS Act.
Section 150 of the SRC Act provides, in part, that the Commission may make general policy
guidelines and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) must
comply with those guidelines.
Item 19 repeals the current paragraph and substitutes a new paragraph which would qualify
the Commission's power to make guidelines by providing that those guidelines must not be
inconsistent with any directions made by the Minister under section 149 to the MRCC or with
any directions given to Comcare under section 73 of the SRC Act in relation to the WHS Act.
See also item 3 which deals with the Minister's powers to give directions under section 73.
Item 20 - Paragraph 158(2)(b)
This is an amendment consequential to the repeal of the OHS Act and the commencement of
the WHS Act. Item 20 omits the reference to the OHS Act and substitutes references to the
WHS Act and the WHS (T&C) Bill.
Item 21 - Application of items
Item 21 provides that the amendments made by items 17, 18 and 20 not only have
application to the financial year starting on 1 July 2011 but also on going application to future
financial years. Items 17 and 20 relate to regulatory contributions and item 18 relates to
licence fees.
Item 22 - Application of items
This item provides that all the other amendments in this Part apply on and from 1 July 2011.
Part 2 - Transitional provisions relating to regulatory contributions and licence fees
This part includes transitional provisions relating to determinations made by Comcare of the
amount of regulatory contributions and licence fees for the 2011/2012 financial year.
The determinations made by Comcare for the 2011/2012 financial year will have been made
prior to the commencement of the WHS Act on 1 January 2012 and will be based on the
costs incurred by the Commission and Comcare in carrying out their respective functions
under the OHS Act for the entire financial year.
House of Representatives Page 16 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 2 ~ Transitional Provisions
These provisions would enable Comcare to issue, following enactment of the provision, a
revised estimate for the 2011/2012 financial year which takes into account what would be the
altered state of the law from 1 January 2012.
Item 23 - Variation of determination of regulatory contribution
Divsion 4A of the SRC Act deals with premiums and regulatory contributions. Section 97E of
the SRC Act provides, in part, that the Commission may issue guidelines to Comcare in
relation to regulatory contributions (subsection 97E(2)). Subsection 97M(1) provides that
Comcare may vary the regulatory contribution payable by an entity or authority.
Subitem 23(1) provides that Comcare may vary a determined regulatory contribution for the
2011-12 financial year in order that the regulatory contribution not only include the estimated
cost, for each entity and authority, of the Commission and Comcare carrying out their
functions under the OHS Act but also the WHS Act and the WHS (T&C) Act.
Current subsection 97M(1) of the SRC Act provides that a variation to a regulatory
contribution may be made by Comcare if, and only if, certain factors apply. Subitem 23(2)
has the effect of excluding subsection 97M(1) by providing that item 23 applies despite what
subsection 97M(1) says.
Subitem 23(3) makes clear that the remaining parts of section 97M apply to a variation under
this item, in the same way that they apply to a normal variation.
Item 24 - Variation of licence fee
Current section 104A of the SRC Act provides that a licence holder under the Act is required
to pay a licence fee. Part of the licence fee goes towards the cost of the Commission and
Comcare in carrying out their functions under the OHS Act, in relation to the licence holder.
Item 24(1) provides that Comcare may vary a licence fee for the 2011-12 financial year so
that the fee not only includes the estimated cost to the Commission and Comcare of carrying
out their functions under the OHS Act but also the WHS Act and the WHS (T&C) Act.
Subitem 24(2) provides that if the variation to a licence fee is a variation that increases the
fee, that increased amount is payable to Comcare.
Subitem 24(3) makes clear that this item does not prohibit Comcare from varying a licence
fee for another reason.
Item 25 - Variation of determination of regulatory contribution by Defence Department
This item deals with the ability of Comcare to vary a regulatory contribution for the 2011-12
financial year, for Australian Defence Force personnel (the ADF). Any variation to the
regulatory contribution covering civilian employees of the Department of Defence is covered
by item 21.
Section 158 of the SRC Act provides that Comcare must determine the regulatory
contribution to be paid by the Department of Defence `in relation to employees engaged in
defence service' (the ADF).
Subitem 23(1) provides that Comcare may vary a determined regulatory contribution for the
2011-12 financial year so that the regulatory contribution not only includes the estimated cost
of the Commission and Comcare in carrying out their functions under the OHS Act but also
the WHS Act and the WHS (T&C) Act.
House of Representatives Page 17 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 3 ~ Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
Current subsection 97M(1) of the SRC Act provides that a variation to a regulatory
contribution may be made by Comcare if, and only if, certain factors apply. Subitem 23(2)
has the effect of excluding subsection 97M(1) by providing that item 23 applies despite what
subsection 97M(1) says.
Subitem 23(3) makes clear that the remaining parts of section 97M apply to a variation under
this item, in the same way that they apply to a normal variation.
Current section 159 of the SRC Act provides that sections 97 to 97P of that Act apply to the
Department of Defence in relation to ADF personnel but only so far as they relate to
determinations under section 158. The references to section 159 in this item make clear that
this item does not modify the application of that section.
House of Representatives Page 18 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011
Schedule 4 ~ Other consequential amendments
Schedule 4 - Other consequential amendments
Social Security Act 1991
Item 1 - Paragraph 120(a)
Item 2 - Paragraphs 501D(4)(a), 544B(8)(a), 631C(a) and 745L(a)
Item 3 - Paragraph 1188BB(a)
These amendments are consequential to the repeal of the OHS Act and the commencement
of the WHS Act.
All these paragraphs of the Social Security Act 1991 currently exclude a relevant person from
being taken to be an `employee' of the Commonwealth for the purposes of the OHS Act.
These items repeal the relevant paragraphs in the Social Security Act 1991 and make it clear
that a person will not be taken to be a worker carrying out work for the Commonwealth, or an
employee of the Commonwealth for the purpose of the new WHS Act.
House of Representatives Page 19 Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2011