New workplace protection laws coming into effect

The Workplace Protection (Personal Violence) Act 2025 takes effect from 4 May 2026.

The legislation introduces a Workplace Protection Order scheme that allows employers, including councils, unions and Health and Safety Representatives, to apply to the Magistrates Court to prevent individuals who have engaged in personal violence in a workplace from returning to that workplace for up to 12 months.

Personal violence under the Act includes physical or sexual violence or abuse, threats, stalking, harassment, intimidation, offensive behaviour and property damage that causes fear.

Breaching an order is a criminal offence that may lead to imprisonment.

Why it matters

These new laws are intended to enhance safety for public‑facing roles.

In the local government sector, this includes staff in roles involving regular face-to-face interaction with the public.

A workplace includes any place where work with direct public interaction occurs – whether or not in person – and can extend to vehicles and other work locations.

LGA welcomes these reforms as a complement to councils’ existing duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

Workplace Protection Orders provide an additional tool where a serious incident has occurred and an ongoing risk remains.

Action to take

Councils are not required to create new training or policies solely because of the Act.

However, reviewing current procedures for managing aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, confirming clear escalation pathways and identifying who may apply for an order when needed may be beneficial.

LGA will continue to monitor the implementation of the reforms and will share any guidance as further detail becomes available.

Find out more

Councils seeking more information about the new laws, or to inform their local approach, can read more on the Attorney-General’s Department website.