Excavation permit template
An excavation permit, often called a ground disturbance permit or permit to dig, is a form completed and signed before digging starts, confirming underground services are located and the excavation will be controlled. No WHS regulation requires a permit by name. The law does require the person with management or control of the workplace to take all reasonable steps to obtain current underground essential services information before excavation starts (WHS Regulations reg 304), the risks of excavation to be managed (reg 305), and a SWMS before work in a trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 metres (reg 291 and reg 299).
Excavation permit template
Company: ____________
Site: ____________
Date: ____________
Permit details
| Permit number: ____________ | N/A · Action | |
| Location and extent of the excavation (attach a sketch): ____________ | N/A · Action | |
| Purpose of the excavation: ____________ | N/A · Action | |
| Planned depth: ____ m width: ____ m length: ____ m | N/A · Action | |
| Dig method: hand dig / non-destructive (vacuum) / machine | N/A · Action | |
| Valid from (date and time): ____________ to: ____________ | N/A · Action | |
| Permit issued to: ____________ | N/A · Action |
Underground services (before any digging)
| Before You Dig Australia (byda.com.au) enquiry lodged and current plans received for this location. Enquiry number: ____________ | N/A · Action | |
| Underground essential services information passed to the person doing the excavation (reg 304) | N/A · Action | |
| Plans compared with the site; services located, by a locator if needed, and marked on the ground | N/A · Action | |
| Services near the dig line exposed by hand or vacuum digging before any machine digging | N/A · Action | |
| Asset owner's conditions noted (for example minimum clearances or a stand-by officer) | N/A · Action |
The excavation
| Trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 m: SWMS for this work is on site and the crew has been through it | N/A · Action | |
| Trench at least 1.5 m deep: work area secured from unauthorised access, and all sides supported by shoring, benching or battering, unless a geotechnical engineer has advised in writing that the sides are safe (reg 306) | N/A · Action | |
| Edge protection or barricades in place so no one can fall in; signage set | N/A · Action | |
| Safe way in and out of the excavation | N/A · Action | |
| Spoil and materials kept back from the edge; plant kept back from the edge | N/A · Action | |
| Nearby structures, footings and retaining walls checked for undermining | N/A · Action | |
| Water, weather and ground conditions considered; dewatering planned if needed | N/A · Action | |
| Deep or enclosed excavation assessed for a confined space and a poor atmosphere | N/A · Action |
Plant and people
| Plant operators competent and licensed where required; pre-start checks done | N/A · Action | |
| Spotter and exclusion zone for plant moving near workers on foot | N/A · Action | |
| Overhead power lines checked and approach distances for this state confirmed | N/A · Action | |
| Inspection of the excavation before each shift and after rain or any change (good practice) | N/A · Action | |
| Emergency and rescue arrangements known; Triple Zero 000 (112 from a mobile) | N/A · Action |
Close-out
| Excavation backfilled or left secured and barricaded as planned | N/A · Action | |
| Any damage to services reported to the asset owner | N/A · Action | |
| Permit closed and signed by the issuer: ____________ | N/A · Action |
Completed by: ____________________
Signature: ____________________
swmspack.com · Free printable checklist. Not legal advice; adapt to your site.
Common questions
▸Is an excavation permit a legal requirement in Australia?
Not by name. The legal duties are to obtain current underground essential services information before excavation starts (reg 304), to manage the risks of the excavation (reg 305), and to prepare a SWMS for a trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 metres (regs 291 and 299). Many principal contractors require a ground disturbance permit on top of that.
▸What is Before You Dig Australia?
The free national service for requesting underground asset plans before you dig, formerly called Dial Before You Dig. You lodge an enquiry online at byda.com.au and the asset owners send their plans.
▸When does a trench need shoring?
For a trench at least 1.5 metres deep, the work area must be secured from unauthorised access and all sides supported by shoring, benching or battering, unless a geotechnical engineer advises in writing that the sides are safe from collapse (reg 306). A shallower trench can still collapse, so manage that risk too.
▸How long do I keep the underground services information?
Keep it available until the excavation work is completed, or for 2 years if a notifiable incident happens in connection with the work (reg 304).
A trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 m needs a SWMS as well as the permit.
A checklist confirms controls are in place; a SWMS is the document the law requires before high risk construction work starts. Generate a site-specific one for your trade.