Australia has introduced major workplace health and safety reforms to reduce exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), including stronger regulation of silica-containing substances and the nationwide engineered stone ban. As a result, workers who may be exposed to crystalline silica now face training and instruction requirements across Australia, with the exact obligation depending on the jurisdiction and the work being performed.
For employers, safety managers and PCBUs, understanding what training is required has become an essential part of meeting WHS obligations. While the details vary between states and territories, the direction is clear: workers exposed to crystalline silica hazards must receive appropriate information, instruction and training to protect their health and safety.
This guide explains why silica awareness training became a national priority, which course is widely accepted across Australia, and what employers need to know in each jurisdiction.
Why silica training became a legal requirement across Australia
Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in materials such as concrete, bricks, tiles, stone, mortar and engineered stone. When these materials are cut, drilled, ground or polished, they can release fine airborne particles known as respirable crystalline silica.
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to serious and irreversible health conditions, including silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. You can learn more about the health risks in our guide to what silica dust is and how silicosis develops.
The growing number of silicosis cases among Australian workers prompted a coordinated national response led by Safe Work Australia and state and territory regulators. This included tighter exposure standards, stronger controls for high-risk activities and, ultimately, the national ban on the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone from July 2024. Our article on Australia’s engineered stone ban explains the background in more detail.
Training became a critical part of these reforms because even the best control measures can fail if workers do not understand the hazards, the required controls or their responsibilities under the WHS Regulations.
What course satisfies the mandatory silica training requirement?
The most widely recognised course used to meet silica awareness training requirements is 10830NAT Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention.
This nationally recognised course provides workers with the knowledge required to identify silica hazards, understand health risks and apply appropriate control measures when working with silica-containing materials.
Topics typically covered include:
- Understanding crystalline silica and respirable crystalline silica (RCS)
- Health effects, including silicosis and other respiratory diseases
- Identifying high-risk tasks and work activities
- Hierarchy of controls and exposure prevention measures
- Dust suppression and ventilation controls
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Employer and worker responsibilities under WHS legislation
- Monitoring, reporting and compliance requirements
For organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions, 10830NAT provides a practical and consistent training pathway that aligns with silica risk management obligations nationwide.
Workers can complete 10830NAT silica awareness training through AlertForce, with delivery options available across Australia.
Mandatory silica training requirements: State and territory breakdown
The following table summarises the current position across Australia. It distinguishes between jurisdictions that have specific silica training requirements and those where obligations arise through broader WHS duties relating to training, instruction and supervision.
| Jurisdiction | Requirement type | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Specific approved silica training requirements for covered workers and activities | SafeWork NSW |
| ACT | Specific silica awareness training requirements for covered occupations and activities | WorkSafe ACT |
| QLD | Training and instruction obligations linked to crystalline silica substances and processing | Workplace Health and Safety Queensland |
| WA | Training and instruction obligations under strengthened silica regulations | WorkSafe WA |
| VIC | General training, instruction and supervision duties for silica exposure risks | WorkSafe Victoria |
| SA | General training and instruction obligations under WHS legislation | SafeWork SA |
| TAS | General silica risk management and training obligations | WorkSafe Tasmania |
| NT | General training, instruction and supervision duties for silica exposure risks | NT WorkSafe |
New South Wales
New South Wales has introduced some of the most explicit silica training requirements in Australia.
Workers undertaking certain high-risk crystalline silica processing work must complete approved silica awareness training. Employers must ensure affected workers have received the required training before undertaking covered work activities.
Regulator: SafeWork NSW.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has implemented specific training requirements for workers involved in activities that may expose them to crystalline silica.
Employers should ensure affected workers complete recognised silica awareness training and maintain records demonstrating compliance.
Regulator: WorkSafe ACT.
Queensland
Queensland has strengthened its regulatory framework around crystalline silica substances and processing.
While obligations are linked to broader risk management requirements, employers must ensure workers receive appropriate training, information and instruction relating to silica hazards and control measures.
Regulator: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Western Australia
Western Australia has introduced strengthened silica controls as part of broader efforts to reduce worker exposure.
Employers must provide suitable training and instruction for workers undertaking tasks that may generate respirable crystalline silica.
Regulator: WorkSafe WA.
Victoria
Victoria requires employers to provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision where workers may be exposed to silica hazards.
Although Victoria’s approach differs from jurisdictions with specific course mandates, employers still have clear obligations to ensure workers understand silica risks and controls.
Regulator: WorkSafe Victoria.
South Australia
South Australian employers must provide suitable training and instruction to workers exposed to workplace hazards, including crystalline silica.
Training forms part of broader WHS obligations relating to risk management, consultation and worker protection.
Regulator: SafeWork SA.
Tasmania
Tasmanian employers have obligations to manage silica risks and provide workers with appropriate training and instruction.
While requirements are generally framed through broader WHS duties, silica awareness training remains an important component of compliance.
Regulator: WorkSafe Tasmania.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory requires employers to provide workers with suitable information, instruction, training and supervision to manage workplace risks, including silica exposure.
Employers should ensure workers understand silica hazards and the controls required for their specific work activities.
Regulator: NT WorkSafe.
Who needs silica training? Occupations and industries covered
Silica awareness training is relevant to a wide range of industries where workers may encounter silica-containing materials.
Common occupations include:
- Stonemasons
- Engineered stone installers
- Construction workers
- Concreters
- Demolition workers
- Bricklayers
- Tilers
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Roof tilers
- Civil construction workers
- Tunnel and mining workers
- Quarry workers
- Manufacturing workers involved in silica-containing products
If workers cut, grind, drill, crush, polish or otherwise disturb materials containing crystalline silica, they are likely to require training.
Our guide to occupations that require silica awareness training provides more detailed industry-specific examples.
How to get your team compliant: What employers need to do
For PCBUs and safety managers, achieving compliance generally involves four key steps.
Identify workers at risk
Review work activities and determine whether employees may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica. Consider contractors as well as direct employees.
Provide recognised training
Enrol affected workers in appropriate silica awareness training. For many organisations, the nationally recognised 10830NAT course provides a practical solution.
Maintain training records
Keep evidence of completed training, statements of attainment and any site-specific instruction provided. These records may be requested during audits, inspections or investigations.
Review controls regularly
Training should support broader risk management measures, including engineering controls, dust suppression, ventilation, PPE and health monitoring where required.
For workers undertaking training, our article on getting the most out of your silica training provides practical advice.
Book silica awareness training
AlertForce delivers 10830NAT silica awareness training nationally, helping organisations meet their obligations and protect workers from crystalline silica exposure.
Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Perth | Sydney
FAQs
What is the 10830NAT course and which states accept it?
10830NAT is the nationally recognised Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention. It is widely used by organisations across Australia to support compliance with silica-related training obligations and risk management requirements.
Is silica training required in every state and territory?
Workers exposed to crystalline silica face training and instruction requirements across Australia. The specific legal obligation varies between jurisdictions, with some states requiring approved silica training and others imposing broader duties to provide appropriate training, instruction and supervision.
What does silica training cover?
Silica awareness training covers the health risks associated with crystalline silica exposure, how respirable crystalline silica is generated, legal responsibilities, risk control measures, safe work practices and methods for reducing exposure.
What are the consequences of not providing silica training?
Failure to provide appropriate training can expose workers to serious health risks and may result in regulatory action, improvement notices, prohibition notices, penalties or prosecution where WHS obligations have not been met. Employers may also struggle to demonstrate they have fulfilled their duty of care if an incident occurs.
Australia’s approach to crystalline silica continues to evolve, but the direction is clear. Employers must ensure workers understand silica hazards and know how to work safely around silica-containing materials. Providing recognised silica awareness training is one of the most effective ways to support compliance, reduce risk and protect worker health.