WHS Documents for Demolitions
Site-specific, delivered in about 4 minutes · free revision within 24h if your builder asks for changes
Demolitions on an Australian construction site need a core WHS document set built around the SWMS: a site-specific Safe Work Method Statement for each high risk activity, a SWMS register, current licences, Safety Data Sheets, and induction and sign-on records. Which SWMS you need is driven by the high risk construction work a demolition does: unplanned structural collapse, asbestos-containing materials, live services (electrical, gas).
The core WHS documents a demolition needs
- ✓ Site-specific SWMS covering each high risk activity (legally required under your state's WHS Regulations, provision 299)
- ✓ A SWMS register indexing every document, version and review date
- ✓ High risk work licences and demolition trade licences
- ✓ Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals, and a chemical register
- ✓ Site induction record and daily sign-on / SWMS acknowledgement sheets
The SWMS a demolition usually needs
A SWMS must cover each of these high risk construction work activities before the work starts. The Trade SWMS Pack generates one for each, site-specific to your job:
- ✓ Demolition of load-bearing structures
- ✓ Internal strip-out of non-structural elements
- ✓ Service isolation and disconnection before demolition
- ✓ Mechanical demolition with excavator
- ✓ Manual demolition above 2 m
- ✓ Temporary propping and structural support
- ✓ Debris handling, chutes and exclusion zones
- ✓ Work in areas that may contain asbestos (identification and stop-work triggers)
The high risk construction work that triggers a demolition's SWMS
A SWMS is legally required because demolitions routinely do this high risk construction work:
- ✓ Demolition of a load-bearing structure
- ✓ Work likely to disturb asbestos
- ✓ Structural alterations or repairs requiring temporary support
- ✓ Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
See all 18 high risk construction work categories and how they map to your work.
Same documents, different state citations
A demolition in NSW and one in Victoria need the same documents, but each SWMS must cite the right law: the harmonised WHS Regulations in seven jurisdictions, or the OHS Regulations 2017 in Victoria. See the full SWMS requirements by state, or open the demolition WHS documents page for your state:
Demolition WHS documents NSWDemolition WHS documents VICDemolition WHS documents QLDDemolition WHS documents WADemolition WHS documents SADemolition WHS documents TASDemolition WHS documents ACTDemolition WHS documents NT
Common questions
▸What WHS documents does a demolition need on site?
At minimum, site-specific SWMS covering every high risk activity you perform (one SWMS can cover several activities), a SWMS register, your high risk work and trade licences, Safety Data Sheets for any hazardous chemicals, and proof of induction. The SWMS is the legally required one and the one a principal contractor checks first.
▸How many SWMS does a demolition need?
Every high risk construction work activity you do must be covered, which for demolitions is usually the 8 activities listed above. One SWMS can legally cover several activities, but most trades keep one per activity because that is how builders review them. The Trade SWMS Pack generates all of them from one questionnaire for A$179.
▸Do demolitions need different documents in different states?
The documents are the same; the legislation they cite differs. Seven jurisdictions use the harmonised WHS Regulations (provision 299 for the SWMS duty; NSW's WHS Regulation 2025 cites it as s 299); Victoria uses its OHS Regulations 2017. A SWMS should be re-cited and re-reviewed before it is used in another state.
Every SWMS a demolition needs, in one go
The Trade SWMS Pack generates all 8 SWMS above from a single questionnaire, plus the register, toolbox talks and sign-on sheets, for A$179.
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