Perth Hazardous Work Bylaws - Safety Rules WA

Labor and Employment Western Australia 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia regulates hazardous work through a mix of City of Perth local laws for public spaces and state workplace safety rules administered by WorkSafe WA. This guide explains how municipal bylaws interact with state occupational health and safety requirements, what permits or notices you may need for hazardous activities in public places, who enforces the rules, and practical steps to reduce legal and safety risk when working in Perth.

Check both the City of Perth local laws and WorkSafe WA guidance before starting hazardous operations.

Scope & When Municipal Bylaws Apply

Municipal bylaws typically control hazardous activities that affect public land, thoroughfares, parks, footpaths and council-managed property, including works that create risks to the public (for example, demolition access adjacent to a footpath, storage of hazardous materials on a verge, or hoardings over a public way). State workplace safety law covers duties to workers and workplace safety systems; councils regulate the use of their land and the consequences for public safety. For City of Perth local laws and permit requirements see the City of Perth local laws page [1]. For state workplace duties and hazardous substances see WorkSafe WA guidance [2].

Key Duties for Contractors and Employers

  • Identify hazardous activities and prepare a safe work method statement or equivalent.
  • Obtain any City permits for works in thoroughfares, vehicle crossings, hoardings or scaffolding on public land.
  • Notify the council and affected utilities where works may affect services, trees or public infrastructure.
  • Comply with WorkSafe WA requirements for hazardous substances, confined spaces, and high-risk work.
Permit requirements and workplace duties are complementary — you may need both a council permit and compliance with WorkSafe WA rules.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is shared: the City of Perth enforces its local laws for activities affecting public land, and WorkSafe WA enforces state occupational safety laws for hazardous work on sites and to protect workers. Specific monetary penalties, escalations and time limits vary by instrument; where an amount or time period is not shown on the official page it is noted below as such.

  • Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited City of Perth local laws page or the general WorkSafe WA guidance pages cited; check the specific local law or infringement notice for amounts.[1]
  • Escalation for repeat or continuing offences: not specified on the cited pages; local laws or infringement schedules will state continuing offence rates where applicable.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: councils may issue removal or abatement orders, require restoration of public land, or seize unsafe structures; WorkSafe WA can issue improvement or prohibition notices and may initiate prosecution in court.
  • Enforcers and complaints: City of Perth By-law Enforcement and Rangers handle municipal breaches; WorkSafe WA inspectors handle workplace safety. Use the City of Perth contact or the WorkSafe WA contact pages for reporting and inspections.[1][2]
  • Appeals and review: specific appeal routes and time limits are set out in the instrument or notice; if a timeframe is not shown on the cited page it is not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences and discretion: enforcement officers may consider permits, approvals or reasonable excuse; specific statutory defences depend on the law under which action is taken and are not specified on the cited pages.
Where penalties or time limits are critical, obtain the exact local law or infringement notice text before acting.

Common Violations & Typical Outcomes

  • Unpermitted works in road reserves — council orders, removal requirements, possible fines.
  • Unsafe storage or handling of hazardous substances on public land — abatement notices and WorkSafe action.
  • Inadequate hoardings or scaffolding endangering pedestrians — removal, rectification orders and prohibition notices.

Applications & Forms

Permit names, forms and fees are set by the City of Perth for works on council-managed land; the City publishes permit application pages and details for activities in thoroughfares and public places. Where a specific form name, fee or deadline is not shown on the cited City of Perth page it is noted as not specified on the cited page. For workplace licences, registrations or notifications (for example, licences for high-risk work or notifications for hazardous substances) see WorkSafe WA guidance and forms.[1][2]

If your work touches public land or affects the public, check council permits early — delays often stem from late permit applications.

Action Steps

  • Identify whether the work affects City property or public thoroughfares and apply for the relevant City permit before starting.
  • Prepare safe work method statements and evidence of training for workers handling hazardous tasks.
  • Report unsafe public impacts to the City of Perth By-law Enforcement and serious workplace risks to WorkSafe WA immediately.
  • Pay any published fees for permits and follow requirements to avoid enforcement action.

FAQ

Do I need a City permit to store hazardous materials on a verge?
Often yes if materials are on council-managed land or a public thoroughfare; check the City of Perth permits pages and apply before placing materials on public land.[1]
Who enforces workplace safety for hazardous work in Perth?
WorkSafe WA enforces state occupational health and safety duties for hazardous work and workers; councils enforce their local laws for impacts on public land.[2]
How do I appeal a council order or a WorkSafe notice?
Appeal rights and time limits depend on the specific order or notice and the instrument under which it was issued; the cited pages do not specify uniform time limits and direct you to the issuing body for details.[1][2]

How-To

  1. Confirm whether the proposed work affects City-managed land and identify the applicable local law or permit requirement.
  2. Consult WorkSafe WA guidance on hazardous substances, confined spaces and high-risk work to determine workplace duties.
  3. Complete any required City permit applications and submit supporting safety documentation early.
  4. Implement traffic and pedestrian controls, safe work methods and training before starting work.
  5. Keep records of permits, notifications, safety plans and incident reports; respond promptly to any council or inspector notices.

Key Takeaways

  • Both City bylaws and state workplace law can apply to hazardous work in public spaces in Perth.
  • Obtain council permits for works affecting public land and comply with WorkSafe WA duties for worker safety.
  • Report unsafe public impacts to council and serious workplace risks to WorkSafe WA without delay.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth local laws and permits
  2. [2] WorkSafe WA guidance and contacts

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