Please note: this notice has been superseded by a new audiometric testing exemption granted until 31 December 2023.
Updated 2 March 2023
From 1 January 2024, the NSW Government will commence Clause 58 “Audiometric testing” of the NSW WHS Regulation 2017.
This means that from that date a PCBU will be required to provide audiometric testing to any of their workers who are frequently required by them to use personal protective equipment (hearing protection) to protect the worker from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard for noise.
Prior to 31 December 2023, SafeWork NSW will be developing and distributing a range of guidance material.
Watch a recording of a webinar on the new requirements for audiometric testing.
Previous notice
SafeWork NSW has issued a further two year exemption for the audiometric testing requirements of clause 58(2) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. This exemption is granted until 31 December 2020.
This exemption is to ensure persons conducting a business or undertaking in NSW are provided with an appropriate time frame to prepare for the implementation of audiometric testing of workers who are frequently required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in workplaces with noise levels that exceed the 'exposure standard for noise'.
Exemption history
The exemption was first published on 9 December 2016 in the NSW Government Gazette number 111, page 3528. A two-year extension until 31 December 2020 was granted in Gazette number 144, page 10161-10162. A further one-year extension until 31 December 2021 was granted in Gazette number 372, page 4756, with the most recent extension (until 31 Dec 2023) granted on 17 December 2021 in Gazette No 648, page 22-23.
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