If your building has a roof — and at some point, someone needs to access it — you’re responsible for making sure that work can be done safely and legally.
That’s where anchor points come in. These safety systems allow workers to secure themselves while working at height, but more importantly, they must comply with a complex mix of national and state regulations.
Whether you’re a facility manager in Melbourne or a building owner in Brisbane, understanding the legal requirements around roof anchor points is essential — not just for safety, but to avoid fines, insurance issues or worse.
Anchor points are part of a broader height safety system designed to protect anyone working above ground level — from HVAC technicians to window cleaners. But these systems aren’t optional. They’re regulated by law and failing to meet those legal obligations carries real consequences.
Non-compliance can result in:
In short, installing a few bolts on a roof isn’t enough — the system must be fit for purpose, tested and certified to meet the standards that apply in your state.
In Australia, there are several national and state-based guidelines that apply to the installation and maintenance of roof anchor systems. The key ones include:
This is the national standard covering the selection, use and maintenance of industrial fall arrest systems and devices (Standards Australia, 2009). It outlines how anchor points must be installed, where they can be used, and how they should be tested.
This standard sets the manufacturing requirements for anchor devices, ensuring they can withstand fall arrest forces (Standards Australia, 2013).
Issued by Safe Work Australia, this document provides national guidance on planning, installing and maintaining fall protection systems (Safe Work Australia, 2021).
In Melbourne and across Victoria, WorkSafe oversees compliance. They outline specific requirements for high-risk construction work, including installing anchor systems (WorkSafe Victoria, 2019).
In Brisbane and across Queensland, WHS QLD governs safe work at heights. They provide detailed guidance on how anchor points should be installed and inspected (Safe Work Australia, 2018).
To comply with these standards, it’s not enough to just install anchor points and walk away. The process must follow several critical steps:
If your anchor system isn’t tested annually or hasn’t been documented properly, it may already be non-compliant — and unsafe.
While the national standards apply across Australia, there are subtle but important differences between Victoria and Queensland:
These local differences reinforce the need for region-specific knowledge when installing anchor systems. What works in Brisbane might not be suitable in Melbourne, and vice versa.
Under Australian workplace law, the responsibility for anchor point compliance generally falls to the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) — which is often the building owner, facility manager or property manager (Safe Work Australia, n.d.).
Contractors and workers also have obligations, but liability can fall back on the property owner if the systems in place are non-compliant, untested or unsafe.
In other words, saying “the tradie should’ve known better” won’t hold up if an incident occurs.
Staying on top of regulatory compliance doesn’t need to be complicated — if you have the right systems and support in place.
Here’s what we recommend:
The right partner won’t just install hardware — they’ll help you manage the entire compliance process.
How often do anchor points need to be inspected?
Mechanically & chemically installed anchor points must be load tested every 12 months, in accordance with AS/NZS 1891.4. Some high-use or high-risk sites may require more frequent checks.
Can I install anchor points myself?
DIY installs are not recommended. Systems must be installed by qualified professionals and tested to ensure compliance.
What if my building rarely needs roof access?
Even if access is infrequent, having a compliant system in place is still required. Temporary systems may be appropriate, but must still be certified.
Anchor point installation isn’t just a once-off job — it’s part of an ongoing compliance system. Whether you’re managing a residential complex in Brisbane or a commercial building in Melbourne, knowing the regulations and following best practices is essential.
The Lifting Guys install certified anchor systems across Melbourne and Brisbane, ensuring your operations remain safe and compliant.
Explore our anchor point inspection and installation services today — and stay safe, the right way.
Safe Work Australia. (n.d.). Duties of a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/law-and-regulation/duties-under-whs-laws/duties-pcbu
Safe Work Australia. (2018). Model code of practice: Preventing falls in housing construction. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1810/model-cop-preventing-falls-in-housing-construction.pdf
Safe Work Australia. (2021). Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-managing-risk-falls-workplaces
Standards Australia. (2009). AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 – Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection, use and maintenance. Standards Australia. Available from https://www.standards.org.au
Standards Australia. (2013). AS/NZS 5532:2013 – Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor device for use in industrial fall-arrest systems. Standards Australia. Available from https://www.standards.org.au
WorkSafe Victoria. (2019). Compliance code: Prevention of falls in general construction. https://content-v2.api.worksafe.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-02/ISBN-Compliance-code-prevention-falls-general-construction-2019-12.pdf
