Do I Need a SWMS for Demolition Work?

Demolition work almost always requires a SWMS. Knocking down load-bearing or structural elements is high risk construction work under s.291(c) of the WHS Regulations, and older buildings often add asbestos disturbance (s.291(d)) and temporary structural support (s.291(e)) to the same job. This guide explains when each trigger applies, what the SWMS must contain, and how Victoria and WA differ.

Last updated 2026-07-02

The short answer: almost always yes

If the job involves demolishing any load-bearing or structural element of a building or structure, a safe work method statement is legally required before work starts. Under the model WHS Regulations, s.291(c) lists demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure as high risk construction work (HRCW), and s.299 requires a SWMS to be prepared before any HRCW begins.

In practice, demolition jobs rarely trigger just one HRCW category. Older buildings frequently contain asbestos, so s.291(d) — work involving the disturbance of asbestos — often applies on the same job. Partial demolition and strip-outs regularly involve structural alterations that need temporary support, which is a separate trigger under s.291(e). A single SWMS can cover multiple HRCW activities, but it must clearly identify every one that applies.

Demolition of load-bearing elements — s.291(c)

Section 291(c) captures the demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure. That covers structural walls, columns, beams, floor slabs, roof framing and anything else holding the building up — whether you are pulling down the whole structure or removing a single load-bearing wall during a renovation.

It does not matter how small the job is. There is no size, height or contract-value threshold in s.291(c): removing one structural wall in a domestic renovation is high risk construction work just as much as a full commercial demolition. If you are not certain whether an element is load-bearing, treat it as structural until an engineer or the building documentation confirms otherwise.

Asbestos disturbance — s.291(d)

Work involving the disturbance of asbestos is a separate HRCW category under s.291(d). Because asbestos-containing materials were used widely in Australian buildings until roughly 1990, demolition and strip-out work on older buildings very often triggers s.291(c) and s.291(d) on the same site. If asbestos is present, or is likely to be disturbed by the work, the SWMS duty applies to that work.

Keep two obligations straight: asbestos removal licensing and the SWMS duty are separate requirements. Holding an asbestos removal licence does not remove the need for a SWMS, and having a SWMS does not authorise you to carry out removal work that requires a licence. Check your state regulator's licensing requirements for the class and quantity of asbestos involved before you price the job.

Structural alterations needing temporary support — s.291(e)

Section 291(e) covers structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse. This is where a lot of partial demolition work lands: cutting an opening in a load-bearing wall, removing a section of floor or roof structure, or altering one part of a building while adjacent elements stay in place. If any part of the structure needs propping or other temporary support while the work happens, s.291(e) applies even if you would not describe the job as demolition.

For builders and renovators, this is the trigger that catches jobs that feel routine. A wall removal for an open-plan kitchen is high risk construction work twice over — s.291(c) for the demolition of the load-bearing element and s.291(e) for the temporary support — and the SWMS must identify both.

Other HRCW triggers common on demolition sites

Before you finalise the SWMS, check the full list of 18 HRCW activities in s.291 against the actual site conditions. On demolition jobs, these categories frequently apply as well:

  • Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres — s.291(a)
  • Work on or near energised electrical installations or services — s.291(k)
  • Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping — s.291(i)
  • Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant, such as excavators and skid steers — s.291(o)
  • Work on, in or adjacent to a road or other traffic corridor — s.291(n)
  • Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere — s.291(l)

What your demolition SWMS must cover

Section 299(2) sets out four things every SWMS must do: identify the work that is high risk construction work, specify the hazards relating to that work and the risks to health and safety, describe the measures to be implemented to control the risks, and describe how those control measures will be implemented, monitored and reviewed. Control measures should follow the hierarchy of control — a demolition SWMS that leans only on administrative controls and PPE will not stand up to regulator scrutiny.

The surrounding duties matter just as much. Work must be carried out in accordance with the SWMS, and if it is not, work must stop until the SWMS is complied with or revised (s.300). If a principal contractor is running the project, they must be given a copy of the SWMS before the HRCW starts (s.301). The SWMS must be reviewed and revised whenever the work or the risks change (s.302), and it must be kept and available for inspection (s.303).

If you need a starting point, GSR sells editable Word SWMS templates for demolition and 21 other trades — 753 documents across 7 document types, with SWMS from $79.95 — and every document cites the relevant WHS provisions and AS/NZS standards. Whatever template you use, you still have to make it site-specific before work starts.

Victoria and Western Australia use different numbering

Victoria is not part of the harmonised WHS scheme. Demolition and asbestos-related work are still high risk construction work there, but the source is the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic): Reg 322 defines 19 classes of HRCW, and Reg 327 requires the SWMS. The duty sits with the employer rather than the PCBU, and WorkSafe Victoria is the regulator.

Western Australia follows the model scheme but under its own instrument: in the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WA), HRCW is defined in Reg 291 and the SWMS requirement is Reg 299, enforced by WorkSafe WA. NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory all mirror the model numbering, so s.291 and s.299 references carry straight across.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a SWMS for demolition work?

Yes, in almost all cases. Demolition of any load-bearing or structural element is high risk construction work under s.291(c) of the WHS Regulations, and s.299 requires a SWMS before that work starts. Even small jobs like removing a single structural wall are captured — there is no size or value threshold. Non-structural strip-outs may still need a SWMS if another HRCW trigger such as asbestos or a fall risk over 2 metres applies.

Do I need a SWMS for asbestos removal?

Yes. Work involving the disturbance of asbestos is high risk construction work under s.291(d), so a SWMS is required before it starts. This duty is separate from asbestos removal licensing — a licence does not replace the SWMS, and a SWMS does not authorise licensed removal work. Check your state regulator's licensing rules for the type and quantity of asbestos before starting the job.

Can one SWMS cover both demolition and asbestos work?

Yes. A single SWMS can cover multiple high risk construction work activities on the same job, provided it identifies each HRCW category that applies and addresses the hazards, risks and control measures for all of them, as s.299(2) requires. On older buildings it is common for one demolition SWMS to identify s.291(c), s.291(d) and s.291(e) together. It must be reviewed under s.302 if the scope changes.

Does removing a non-load-bearing wall need a SWMS?

Not under s.291(c) on its own — that trigger only covers elements that are load-bearing or related to the structure's physical integrity. But check the other 17 HRCW categories before deciding no SWMS is needed: asbestos disturbance, work near energised electrical services or a fall risk over 2 metres would each independently require one. If you are unsure whether a wall is structural, treat it as load-bearing until confirmed.

Who has to prepare the demolition SWMS?

The PCBU carrying out the high risk construction work — usually the demolition contractor or builder doing the physical work — must ensure a SWMS is prepared before it starts. In Victoria the duty sits with the employer under Reg 327 of the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic). If there is a principal contractor, they must be given a copy of the SWMS before the HRCW begins (s.301), but that does not shift the preparation duty.

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Related guides

This guide is general information about work health and safety legislation, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state and by the specifics of your work — check with your regulator or a qualified professional before relying on it. Documents are templates and must be reviewed and adapted to your specific site conditions.