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Published 27 May 2020 | Updated 8 December 2022
Creating a safe work environment is a legal requirement for employers. Employees and other workers also need to take care of their own and others’ safety.
On this page, find out where you can get the right information and help for any workplace health and safety (WHS) issues.
On this page:
In this section:
Wearing masks at work
Workplace health and safety information
Some states and territories have requirements (public health orders) about wearing face masks at work including for certain industries and workplaces. Learn more about public health orders for your state or territory on our Orders and directions during coronavirus page.
Safe Work Australia has guidance about WHS laws during coronavirus. This includes when an employer can direct a worker to wear face masks in the workplace. Check what information is available for your industry at Safe Work Australia – COVID-19 information for workplaces 
.
Contact your state or territory body
If you have concerns or questions about masks and WHS issues, contact your local regulator. Each state and territory has a WHS body that regulates and investigates breaches of WHS laws:
- Australian Capital Territory: Work Safe ACT
- New South Wales: SafeWork NSW
- Northern Territory: NT WorkSafe
- Queensland: WorkSafe Qld
- South Australia: SafeWork SA
- Tasmania: WorkSafe Tasmania
- Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria
- Western Australia: WorkSafe WA
- Commonwealth: Comcare
Temperature checks at work
Workplace health and safety information
Safe Work Australia has guidance about WHS laws during coronavirus. This includes information about monitoring health in the workplace. Check what information is available for your industry at Safe Work Australia – COVID-19 information for workplaces .
Contact your state or territory body
If you have questions about temperature checks and WHS issues, contact your local regulator. Each state and territory has a WHS body that regulates and investigates breaches of WHS laws:
- Australian Capital Territory: Work Safe ACT
- New South Wales: SafeWork NSW
- Northern Territory: NT WorkSafe
- Queensland: WorkSafe Qld
- South Australia: SafeWork SA
- Tasmania: WorkSafe Tasmania
- Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria
- Western Australia: WorkSafe WA
- Commonwealth: Comcare
Privacy information
There may be privacy implications for employers using technology to monitor the health of employees during coronavirus.
Find information about privacy rights at work during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC is the independent national regulator for privacy and freedom of information. Learn more about workplace privacy at OAIC – COVID-19 advice and guidance .