These do not replace the WHS laws, but codes of practice can be issued to help make understanding what you have to do a little easier.

An inspector can refer to a code of practice when issuing an improvement or prohibition notice.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, codes of practice are admissible in court proceedings.

Courts may regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control, and rely on it to determine what is 'reasonably practicable in the circumstances to which the code relates.

It is recognised that equivalent or better ways of achieving the required work health and safety outcomes may be possible. For that reason compliance with codes of practice is not mandatory providing that any other method used provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety than suggested by the code of practice.

As well as codes of practice, Safe Work Australia has guidance material that can also help you achieve the standards under WHS laws.

All codes of practice are listed below.