WHS Management Plan Template

A WHS Management Plan is the central document that describes how an organisation or project will manage workplace health and safety. It sets out the WHS objectives, the organisational structure and responsibilities for WHS, the risk management methodology, the key procedures and processes, and the monitoring and review arrangements.

For construction projects, a WHS Management Plan is a regulatory requirement under WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.4. The principal contractor must prepare the plan before construction work commences and ensure it addresses all the matters specified in the regulation including site-specific hazards, induction arrangements, emergency procedures, and the management of subcontractor safety documentation.

This template is structured around the Plan-Do-Check-Act management system cycle, making it compatible with ISO 45001:2018 and suitable for organisations seeking certification. It covers policy, planning (hazard identification, risk assessment, legal requirements, objectives), implementation (responsibilities, competency, communication, documentation, operational controls, emergency preparedness), performance evaluation (monitoring, audit, management review), and improvement (incident investigation, corrective action, continual improvement).

A WHS Management Plan is required under WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.4 for construction projects where the principal contractor has management or control of the workplace. The plan must be prepared before construction work commences and must be kept and maintained for the duration of the project.

Beyond construction, many organisations maintain a WHS Management Plan as part of their overall management system. It is commonly required by client organisations as a prequalification requirement, by insurance providers as evidence of safety management capability, and by certification bodies as part of ISO 45001 certification.

The plan must be reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes to the workplace, work activities, or organisational structure. For construction projects, the plan must be updated as the project progresses through different phases with changing risk profiles.

How This Is Different

This WHS management plan template is authored by safety professionals who develop and audit management systems. The template provides a practical, implementable framework rather than a theoretical document that cannot be applied in a real workplace. Each section includes guidance notes explaining what content is expected and how to customise it for your organisation. The template is structured for dual compliance with WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.4 (construction) and ISO 45001:2018, so organisations can use a single document framework for both regulatory and certification purposes. Generic templates typically address one or the other but not both.