What are your WHS obligations as a Victorian small business?

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Vic) applies to every business that employs workers in Victoria - regardless of size. Whether you have one part-time staff member or a team of twenty, the law requires you to provide a safe workplace.

As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), your primary duty of care is to ensure the health and safety of your workers and anyone else who might be affected by your work - including customers and visitors.

In practical terms, this means you need to identify hazards in your workplace, assess the risks they create, and put controls in place to eliminate or minimise those risks. This is known as the risk management process, and it's the foundation of WHS compliance.

You're also required to consult with your workers on health and safety matters. This doesn't have to be formal - it can be as simple as talking through hazards at a team meeting or asking staff to flag issues as they arise.

Documentation matters too. While small businesses aren't required to have a full safety management system, you should have basic records in place - including a hazard register, incident reports, and evidence that you've addressed identified risks.

If you're not sure where your business stands, a WHS workplace audit is the best starting point. It gives you a clear picture of what's in place, what's missing, and what to prioritise - without the overwhelm.