Management system: inspection and testing intervals

Item	How often	Basis	Reference	Applies to
Health and safety committee meetingsBy: Health and safety committee State notes Model WHS Act s.78 and VIC OHS Act 2004 s.72(4): at least once every 3 months, and whenever at least half the members ask.	At least every 3 monthsAnd at any reasonable time at request of at least half the members	Mandatory	Model WHS Act s.78; OHS Act 2004 (Vic) s.72(4)Comcare	All workplaces
SWMS reviewBy: Employer / PCBU with workers and HSR State notes Both regimes are trigger-based; no fixed review interval.	When high-risk construction work changes, or controls are not adequate (incl. after an incident)Stop work if the SWMS is not followed; keep SWMS for the duration of the work	Mandatory	VIC OHS Regs r.328, r.329; model WHS Reg 302 (via r.38)Victorian Legislation, Federal Register of Legislation, WorkSafe Victoria	Construction
Risk control measure review (risk register)By: PCBU / employer State notes VIC has review duties per hazard Part rather than one general regulation.	Trigger-basedControls ineffective; before workplace change; new hazard; consultation indicates; HSR request	Mandatory	Model WHS Reg 38; VIC OHS Regs hazard-specific review regs (e.g. r.36, r.121, r.164, r.326)Federal Register of Legislation, Victorian Legislation	All workplaces
Workplace safety inspectionsBy: Supervisor / HSR / safety officer State notes No regulation prescribes a general workplace-inspection frequency in any jurisdiction reviewed.	Not prescribed - set by risk assessment	Good practice	General duty: model WHS Act s.19; VIC OHS Act 2004 s.21From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.Victorian Legislation	All workplaces
Internal OHS management system auditBy: Competent internal auditor State notes Annual coverage of all clauses is common practice, not a requirement.	At planned intervals (organisation sets the programme)	Standard	ISO 45001:2018 cl.9.2From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.Auditor Training Online (secondary)	All workplaces
Management reviewBy: Top management State notes Annual is common practice, not a requirement.	At planned intervals	Standard	ISO 45001:2018 cl.9.3From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.Auditor Training Online (secondary)	All workplaces
High risk work licence (e.g. forklift, crane, scaffolding, dogging, rigging)By: Licence holder State notes 5-year term in VIC and the model WHS jurisdictions. VIC allows renewal up to 12 months after expiry; check your regulator for the renewal window.	Every 5 yearsVIC: renewal application within 12 months of expiry	Mandatory	Model WHS Reg 92; VIC OHS Regs Part 3.6 & r.490 (renewal)Federal Register of Legislation, WorkSafe Victoria	All workplaces
General construction induction card (white card)By: Worker / employer State notes VIC: card is of unlimited duration but lapses (r.349). Model WHS: retraining required if trained > 2 years ago and no construction work in preceding 2 years.	No expiry - lapses after 2 consecutive years without construction workRedo induction training if lapsed	Mandatory	VIC OHS Regs r.347, r.349; model WHS Regs r.316, r.317Victorian Legislation, Federal Register of Legislation	Construction

What the basis labels mean

A planning guide, not legal advice. Intervals are minimums under normal conditions: shorten them where use, environment, damage or a risk assessment calls for it, and follow the current edition of the standard, your regulator's guidance and the manufacturer's instructions. Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017; the other states and territories under the model WHS laws as adopted locally. Items checked 28 October 2026.

Sources

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