Working in Heat in Australia: Is There a Maximum Temperature?
There's no single stop work temperature in Australia's WHS laws. Here's what employers must do in heat and heatwaves, plus a $39 online heat stress course.
Published 2026-11-04
Short answer: not under the WHS laws. Safe Work Australia says there is no single "stop work" temperature, because one number can't account for everything that makes heat dangerous: humidity, air flow, how hard and how long people are working, and whether they're fit and used to the conditions. Some awards and workplace agreements have their own hot weather rules, so check yours.
That doesn't mean anything goes. As a business, you must eliminate or minimise heat risks so far as is reasonably practicable. That's your duty as a PCBU under the WHS laws, or as an employer under Victoria's OHS Act. Sometimes that means cancelling or rescheduling work until it's cooler.
What Employers Should Do Instead
- Identify the hazard: hot weather, hot machinery, heavy physical work, poor air flow.
- Assess the risk on the day, not just the forecast top temperature. High humidity makes it harder for the body to cool down.
- Eliminate first where you can, for example by cancelling or rescheduling outdoor work until it's cooler.
- Then reduce the risk: shade outdoors, air conditioning or fans indoors, cool fresh water, heavier tasks moved to cooler parts of the day, lighter workloads and more rest.
What Should Employers Do in a Heatwave?
A heatwave is when the maximum and minimum temperatures are unusually hot over at least three days. Warmer nights mean worse sleep, and fatigue builds. Safe Work Australia says businesses should do additional risk assessments and controls during a heatwave.
Watch New Starters and People Returning From Leave
Workers who aren't acclimatised, or who are coming back after a week or more away, are at higher risk of heat illness. Don't rely on acclimatisation as your control, because it's different for everyone.
Can a Worker Stop Work if It's Too Hot?
Under the model WHS laws, used everywhere except Victoria, a worker can stop or refuse work if they have a reasonable concern that it would expose them to a serious risk to their health or safety from an immediate or imminent hazard. They need to tell the business as soon as they can and stay available for other suitable work. A trained Health and Safety Representative can also direct a worker in their work group to stop unsafe work on the same grounds, usually after trying to resolve it with the business first. Victoria has its own rules under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. For anything specific to your workplace, contact your state or territory WHS regulator.
Train the Crew Before Summer
Our Heat Stress Awareness course takes about 35 minutes on any device and covers the warning signs, the controls that work, and what to do if a workmate goes down. Outdoor crews can add UV and Sun Safety (about 30 minutes). Each course is $39 inc GST, ends with a 10 question check (80% pass mark, retakes available), and the certificate is issued the moment they pass, with an ID anyone can verify free at workproof.com.au/verify.
Heat Stress Awareness · UV and Sun Safety · Buy seats for your team
WorkProof courses are awareness training, not accredited training. This guide is general information based on Safe Work Australia guidance, not legal advice.