Safe Work Australia Best Practice Review of the Model Work Health and Safety Laws

The agricultural sector supports a nationally consistent WHS framework
that promotes clarity, efficiency, and fairness across jurisdictions. However,
harmonisation must remain practical and avoid imposing overly restrictive
rules without proven safety benefits. Harmonisation must:

Improve clarity and reduce red tape.

Provide alignment in licensing and enforcement that supports safer,
simpler compliance.

Stay evidence-based and proportionate.

Differences such as telehandler licensing (Vic vs NSW) show the need
for flexibility.

National standards should only apply where clear safety gains are
demonstrated.

The NFF's full submission can be found here.