The new benzene exposure limit
From 1 June 2027, Australia’s benzene exposure limit will fall to 0.2 ppm (0.7 mg/m³), averaged over an 8-hour working day. Work health and safety (WHS) ministers have agreed to the change, which cuts the limit by 80 per cent from the current 1 ppm (3.2 mg/m³).
What applies in the meantime
Until 1 June 2027, the existing standard of 1 ppm (3.2 mg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average continues to apply. The lead-in time is meant to give businesses a chance to review their exposure monitoring and put any necessary controls in place.
Other substances on the WEL list
Separately, Australia moves to the new Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list on 1 December 2026, with updated limits for a wide range of airborne contaminants. Benzene and the eight other chemicals under review will keep their current values when that happens.
Background to the decision
In June 2026, Safe Work Australia published a Decision Regulation Impact Statement on proposed exposure limits for nine chemicals, including benzene. Ministers didn’t reach majority support at the time and asked for further work on all nine. After that work, and a recommendation from Safe Work Australia Members, ministers revisited benzene and agreed to adopt the lower limit. The remaining eight chemicals are still being examined by an independent expert panel.
You might also like: Nine killed as Bahamas-bound Learjet plunges into Florida roadside
General information only, not legal advice. Check the official source before acting.
Source: Safe Work Australia. Licence: CC BY 4.0.
