Working alone · Australia
Is it legal to work alone in Australia?
Yes, it is legal to work alone in Australia. No law bans lone work outright. But the Work Health and Safety Act places a duty on employers to eliminate or minimise the risks of working alone so far as is reasonably practicable - so lone work is legal only when it is properly risk-assessed and controlled.
What the law actually says
Lone work in Australia is governed by the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations (harmonised across most states and territories; Victoria operates under its own OHS Act 2004). These place on employers a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers - which for lone workers means specifically assessing and controlling the risks of working without close supervision.
What employers are expected to do
- Complete a risk assessment that specifically considers lone and isolated work
- Provide a reliable way for a lone worker to call for help, and to be reached
- Put escalation in place for when a worker cannot be contacted
- Review the controls, especially for after-hours and higher-risk work
The common thread: working alone is legal, but the employer's duty of care doesn't shrink because a worker is on their own - if anything it grows, because the usual safety net of nearby colleagues is gone. A reliable way to raise the alarm and a response that arrives is exactly what "reasonably practicable" has come to mean for lone work.
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements are set by Safe Work Australia (model laws) and the state and territory WHS regulators. Requirements and codes of practice vary by state - check your jurisdiction's regulator for the specifics that apply to you.