Construction-site facilities: Australian requirements

Identify the state or territory WHS regulator for the workplace. Most jurisdictions have implemented versions of the model WHS laws; Victoria retains its OHS framework. Model law and model codes do not take effect solely because Safe Work Australia publishes them. Confirm the legislation and approved guidance that apply locally.

Record the location, maximum number of workers present, shifts, project duration, tasks, accessibility needs and servicing arrangements. Check the applicable rules before work starts and when these conditions change.

Check the locally applicable facilities duties and codes, including any construction-specific scope or exclusions. Planning permission, building approval, licensed trade work and wastewater disposal are additional checks; a workplace facilities checklist does not settle them.

Identify the duty holders and coordinate provision for all crews. Under applicable WHS laws, duty holders may need to consult, cooperate and coordinate; Victorian OHS responsibilities follow its own law. Agree who provides equipment, water, power, cleaning, waste removal, fault response and replacement units.

The rental agreement should identify included services, response times and exclusions. Buying a servicing package does not transfer every legal responsibility to the rental company.

Plan adequate toilets for the people using the workplace under the applicable state or territory WHS or OHS rules. Check the locally approved facilities code, building requirements and any construction-specific guidance before selecting fixture numbers.

What to arrange: Record peak workforce, shifts, privacy, individual needs, accessible use, safe access, lighting, handwashing and servicing. Confirm portable units and wastewater arrangements for this site.

Provide suitable washing arrangements with water, cleansing products and hygienic drying. Assess the actual work: exposure to hazardous substances or contamination may need additional washing, showers or specialist decontamination.

What to arrange: Describe supply, drainage, temperature, consumables and cleaning. Keep contaminated equipment and clothing away from clean facilities; agree controls for hazardous tasks with the responsible safety professional.

Provide accessible drinking water and keep the supply safe and hygienic. Assess heat, physical work, remote access and interruptions in supply when planning replenishment.

What to arrange: Assign filling, storage, cleaning and backup supply. Separate drinking water from non-potable outlets. Plan shade, rest and heat controls for the actual conditions.

Assess whether the work requires changing rooms, secure personal storage, drying facilities and separation of contaminated protective clothing. Provide privacy and arrangements suitable for the workers using them.

What to arrange: State the work, contaminants, wet clothing and laundering or disposal responsibilities. An ordinary site cabin does not establish compliance with specialist asbestos or other hazardous-work requirements.

Plan clean eating and break facilities away from contaminants, with suitable seating, shelter and facilities for food and drink. Assess heat, cold and remote work as part of the workplace risk assessment.

What to arrange: Record simultaneous users, furniture, weather protection, ventilation, cleaning and any food storage or preparation needs. Maintain access while units move or are serviced.

Determine toilet, urinal and washbasin provision using the applicable local code and actual workforce. Include peak attendance, shift patterns, privacy, accessibility and the nature of the work. Do not treat a supplier capacity rating as a national statutory ratio.

Victoria: the Facilities in construction code excludes specified Class 1 and 2 residential work with associated Class 10 structures, and civil or infrastructure maintenance sites meeting both the small-workforce and short-duration conditions. Those scope exclusions do not remove the OHS duty to provide adequate facilities. Establish which Victorian guidance applies before using a fixture table.

Portable facilities: verify safe access, ventilation, handwashing and servicing, together with public-health and wastewater requirements. Agree a lawful disposal route and response to full tanks or faults. Equipment on site is insufficient if workers cannot use it.

Check the permitted arrangement of separate or individual facilities, locks, lighting and sanitary waste disposal for the workforce. Describe accessibility needs when requesting equipment.

Assess access for the actual users and building use under the applicable NCC, disability-access and employment requirements. Include safe paths, steps or ramps, doors, clearances and accessible sanitary provision where required; do not assume a temporary cabin is exempt.

Assess showers and decontamination for the actual substances and tasks. Confirm whether a standard toilet or shower trailer is suitable; an ordinary handwashing station does not establish adequacy for hazardous exposure.

For remote, mobile or shared arrangements, confirm reliable access throughout work hours with the responsible duty holders. Record travel, weather, security, cleaning, supplies and backup arrangements. A short project or a nearby public toilet does not establish adequacy by itself.

Include travel distance, heat, wet-season or flood access, water delivery, wastewater handling, generator fuel and a replacement plan. Include freezing conditions where relevant to the site. Nearby public toilets or a short project duration do not by themselves establish compliance.

Name the person checking cleanliness, water, temperature, lighting, supplies and waste levels. Schedule servicing to match actual use and keep cleaning records where required. Protect pipes and tanks for the local climate and ensure safe cooling, heating and ventilation.

Review the arrangement when workforce, shifts or tasks change. Keep break rooms available and separate food from contaminated clothing and work materials.

Cleaning and service evidence: record inspection, cleaning, consumables, tank service, faults and corrective actions. Agree response times and retain the records required by the applicable rules and contract. Increase service when workforce, weather or use changes.

Changing conditions: increase servicing when peak use, hot weather or tank capacity requires it. A unit on site but locked, inaccessible, full or unsanitary may not provide usable facilities. Recheck the state requirements whenever the site moves into another jurisdiction.

Heat hazards: assess hot weather, humidity, physical work, protective clothing and individual needs. Plan drinking water, shade or cooling, work scheduling, rest, training and emergency response. A cooled break room alone does not establish a complete heat-risk plan.

The tool records the project and provides a specification checklist. It does not determine statutory fixture numbers or certify the site.

Prepare your site facilities enquiry

Workplace facilities guidance reviewed on 2 October 2026. Use the jurisdiction contacts above to confirm the project requirements.