Consultation
Also known as: s47 consultation · Worker consultation
Consultation is the model WHS Act s47 duty for PCBUs to consult workers (so far as is reasonably practicable) on matters affecting their health and safety. The duty is positive, structured and ongoing — not a one-off briefing.
Legal context
s47 sets out what consultation involves: sharing relevant information, giving workers a reasonable opportunity to express views and contribute, taking those views into account, and informing workers of decisions in a timely manner. s48 specifies when consultation is required — including identifying or assessing hazards, making decisions on controls, proposing changes that may affect health and safety, and making decisions about consultation procedures themselves. s49 governs Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and committees. Where workers have elected HSRs, consultation must occur through them. The 2022 amendments added explicit psychosocial-hazard consultation. ISO 45001 Cl 5.4 (worker participation) is the standards-side mirror.
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Related terms
Toolbox talk
A toolbox talk is a short on-site safety briefing — typically 5–15 minutes before a shift — covering a specific hazard, control or change. It is the most regular consultation touchpoint between supervisors and workers and is logged with attendees and topic so it forms an audit trail of consultation.
PCBU
PCBU stands for Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking — the primary duty-holder under model WHS legislation in Australia. It is broader than “employer”: a PCBU can be a company, a sole trader, a partnership or an unincorporated association, and the duty applies whether or not workers are paid.
Psychosocial hazard
A psychosocial hazard is a hazard that may cause psychological or physical harm and arises from how work is designed, organised and managed, or from the social context of work. Examples include high job demands, low job control, poor support, role conflict, exposure to traumatic events, harassment and bullying.
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47 WHS and HSWA terms with legal context, FAQs and regulator references.