Laser Regulations Western Australia

Understand the laser regulations for PCBUs and workers in Western Australia

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Commonwealth entities

Commonwealth entities are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA does not have jurisdiction over private employers in Western Australia as they are governed by state legislation. However, ARPANSA remains relevant as a source of guidance for both PCBUs and workers.

Model Work Health and Safety Laws

Similar to most Australian jurisdictions, Western Australia has adopted the Model Work Health Safety laws including the Model WHS Act (2011), and the Model WHS Regulations (2023). These are harmonised laws that bring consistency between all states and territories other than Victoria. In order to become legally binding, states and territories must incorporate the Model Work Health Safety laws into their own legislation.

Work Health and Safety Act (2020)

Western Australia has enacted many of the components of the Model WHS Act, and Model WHS Regulations through the Work Health and Safety Act (2020), and the Work Health and Safety Regulations (2022) respectively.

Regulation 223 of the WHS Regulations, relates to a person who has control over a workplace that uses lasers which may create a risk to health and safety. Key requirements of Regulation 223 include:

·       The laser equipment must be designed, constructed and installed so as to prevent accidental irradiation of any person.

·       The laser equipment on plant must be protected so that any operator of the plant or other person is not exposed to direct radiation, radiation produced by reflection or diffusion or secondary radiation.

·        Visual equipment used for the observation or adjustment of laser equipment on plant must not create a risk to health or safety.

·        Workers operating the laser equipment must be trained in the proper operation of the equipment.

·       Lasers that are Class 3B or Class 4 within the meaning of AS 2397:2015 must not be used in construction work.

Radiation Safety Act (1975)

In Western Australia, governance of lasers for private entities is centred around the Radiation Safety Act (1975). The Act (1975) regulates the keeping, use, sale, and possession of lasers in Western Australia. The Act also covers standards adoption, exemptions, maximum exposure levels, and administrative requirements. Under The Act (1975):

·       A licence or exemption is generally required for the use or manufacture of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers. This is administered by the Radiological Council of Western Australia. In some cases, with approval, a licence may not be required if working under the supervision of an appropriate licence holder.

·       Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and their premises must be registered with the Radiological Council.

·       There are different laser purposes each with different prerequisites to obtain a licence. For instance, dentists have different prerequisites to researchers. More information can be found through the Radiological Council of Western Australia

Radiation Safety (General) Regulations (1983)

The Radiation Safety (General) Regulations (1983) outlines the practical requirements for complying with the Radiation Safety Act (1975) and this process is overseen by the Radiological Council of Western Australia. Under the Radiation Safety Regulations, regulations 53-56 (inclusive) relate directly to lasers. A brief summary of these regulations are as follows:

Regulation 53:

·       A person who manufactures, sells, uses or is in possession of a laser shall comply with AS/NZS 2211.1:2004.

·       A person shall not manufacture, sell, use or possess a laser pointer unless it is Class 1 or Class 2, or there has been approval by the Radiological Council.

Regulation 54 (Applies to registrant of premises of regulated Class 3B lasers). Note: Regulated Class 3B laser is includes pulsed Class 3B lasers, and any Class 3B lasers with output >5 milliwatts.

·       Registered premises must ensure workers follow approved procedures.

·       Workers must follow procedures designed to facilitate the safe use of lasers.

·       Appropriate laser labels and warning signs should be displayed.

·       Registrant of premises should ensure that Schedule XIII is followed. Schedule XIII is included in Appendix 1.

Regulation 55: (Applies to registrant of premises of Class 4 lasers).

·       Ensure workers follow approved procedures.

·       Workers must follow procedures designed to facilitate the safe use of lasers.

·       Appropriate laser labels and warning signs should be displayed.

·       Registrant of premises shall ensure that Schedule XIV is complied with. Schedule XIV is included in Appendix 1.

 

Regulation 56: (Applies to registrant of premises using regulated Class 3B and Class 4 lasers)

·       Protective housing of a laser system should limit the maximum accessible radiation to the maximum permissible exposure level.

·       Workers servicing or maintaining enclosed laser systems shall comply with the control measures and procedural requirements.

·       The laser system is provided with safety interlocks when the removal of protective housing allows human access to radiation in excess of the maximum permissible exposure.

·       When an enclosed laser system is being operated with covers removed for the purpose of servicing, maintenance, repair, testing there shall be a temporary controlled area.

 

Australian Standards

Whilst Australian Standards are generally not legally binding, PCBUs should be aware of regulation 53 of the Radiation Safety Regulations (1983) ‘A person who manufactures, sells, uses or is in possession of a laser shall comply with AS/NZS 2211.1:2004’. This indicates that it is not only best practice to follow Australian standards, in Western Australia, compliance with AS/NZS 2211.1:2004 is legislated. Note that this standard has been superseded by AS/NZS IEC 60825.1 and AS/NZS IEC 60825.14 however the 2026 edition of the Regulations has not been updated to reflect the new Australian Standards.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace independent legal advice.

Oliver Ried B.Vis Sci, M.Optom, Grad Cert OHS

References

(2004). AS/NZS 2211.1:2004 Safety of laser products - Equipment classification, requirements and user’s guide (IEC 60825-1:2001, MOD) SUPERSEDED, Standards Australia,.

              

ARPANSA. "Laser Hazards and Safety ". Retrieved 05/09/2026, from https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/radiation-sources/more-radiation-sources/lasers.

              

ARPANSA. "Lasers." Retrieved 22/08/2026, from https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/what-is-radiation/non-ionising-radiation/laser.

              

Safe Work Australia (2025). Model WHS Regulations.

              

Western Australia Government (1975). Radiation Safety Act

              

Western Australia Government (1983). Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983.

              

Western Australia Government (2020). "Work Health and Safety Act ".

              

 

Appendix 1

Schedule XIII — [Regulation 54] Requirements to be complied with in respect of premises in which regulated Class 3B lasers are operated or used [Heading amended: Gazette 15 Oct 1996 p. 5451.]

  1. Such beam stops, beam enlarging systems, shutters or other safety devices as the Council from time to time directs shall be incorporated in the laser or its system.

  2. The beam of the laser shall be — (a) contained within enclosures; or (b) terminated at the end of the useful beam path by a beam trap or, in the case of a laser which is an infrared laser, by a highly absorbent backstop.

  3. In the case of a laser which is an ultraviolet laser, such special precautions as the Council from time to time directs for reducing radiation or preventing undesirable chemical reactions shall be taken.

  4. Any optical system used for viewing in connection with the laser shall be provided with an interlock or filter to reduce ocular irradiation to a safe level.

  5. The laser or its laser system shall be provided with a master switch which, when a key, magnetic card, cipher combination or other similar device is removed therefrom, makes it impossible to operate or use the laser or its laser system.

  6. Labels shall be affixed to the laser or to the protective housing of its laser system in accordance with the requirements of the laser safety standard.

  7. Approved instructions shall be issued to all persons operating or using the laser.

  8. Persons, other than persons authorised by the person in whose name the premises concerned are registered to operate or use the laser or its laser system, shall not operate or use the laser or its laser system.

  9. Whenever persons operating or using the laser or its laser system are exposed to potentially hazardous laser radiation, those persons shall be provided with protective eye-wear in accordance with Section 10.8 of the laser safety standard.

  10. The laser or its laser system shall be operated or used only in a controlled area.

  11. Bench and wall surfaces in the controlled area referred to in item 10 shall be painted with matt paints of approved colours so that those surfaces are not highly reflective to the radiation of the laser.

  12. Areas which are exposed to reflections from an infrared laser or its laser system shall be protected by screening the beam or target area concerned with infrared absorbent material.

  13. The illuminance level in the controlled area referred to in item 10 shall, unless the Council otherwise directs, be not less than 350 lux.

  14. Persons other than those operating or using the laser or its laser system shall not enter the controlled area referred to in item 10 unless they have the permission of the person in whose name the premises concerned are registered to do so and take such protective measures as he directs.

  15. There shall be displayed — (a) in conspicuous locations inside and outside the controlled area referred to in item 10; and (b) at all entrances giving access to the controlled area; and (c) in a prominent position near the laser, area warning signs in accordance with Section 10.5 of the laser safety standard.

  16. Persons operating or using the laser system are to undergo eye examinations in accordance with section 10.11 of the laser safety standard.

[Schedule XIII amended: Gazette 10 Oct 1986 p. 3846; 15 Oct 1996 p. 5451; 17 Aug 2010 p. 4048.]

 

Schedule XIV — [Regulation 55] Requirements to be complied with in respect of premises in which Class 4 lasers are operated or used

  1. The entire beam path of the laser shall be enclosed and that enclosure shall be equipped with interlocks in accordance with Section 4.3 of the laser safety standard in order to prevent the operation or use of the laser if that enclosure is not properly installed.

  2. The laser or its laser system shall be provided with a master switch which, when a key, magnetic card, cipher combination or other similar device is removed makes it impossible to operate the laser or its laser system.

  3. The beam of the laser or its laser system shall be terminated in an absorbent fire resistant material, which shall be inspected periodically for signs of deterioration.

  4. If the laser or its laser system is operated or used without its entire beam path and interaction site enclosed, that operation or use shall take place in a controlled area which is permanently isolated from other areas within the premises concerned.

  5. Except in medical laser installations, safety latches or interlocks designed — (a) to prevent uncontrolled entry into; and (b) to enable rapid exit from; and (c) to enable rapid entry in an emergency into, the controlled area referred to in item 4 shall be installed.

  6. It shall be possible temporarily to override entrance safety switches to permit persons to operate or use the laser or its laser system whilst that operation or use is continuous.

  7. In the case of a pulsed laser, power supplies thereto shall be as far therefrom as possible.

  8. In industrial laser installations, the laser or its laser system shall be — (a) operated or used; and (b) monitored by means of closed circuit television or through a viewing window of approved design, from a position outside the controlled area referred to in item 4.

  9. A control switch shall be situated in the controlled area referred to in item 4 for the purpose of switching off the laser in the event of an emergency.

  10. Surfaces within the controlled area referred to in item 4 must be rendered non-reflective by means of approved materials to reduce the possibility of hazardous diffuse reflections.

  11. In the case of an infrared laser, surfaces within the controlled area referred to in item 4 which are exposed to reflections from that laser shall be protected by screening with approved fire-resistant material close to the reflecting source of that laser.

[12, 13. deleted]

  1. Approved ear protection shall be provided for persons operating or using the laser during noisy applications thereof.

  2. The requirements of Part IV shall be complied with in respect of any ionising radiation produced by the laser.

  3. High pressure arc lamps and filament lamps in the laser or its laser system shall be enclosed in housings capable of withstanding the maximum explosive pressures resulting from the disintegration of those lamps.

  4. The target of the laser and elements of its optical train which are liable to shatter during the operation or use of the laser shall be enclosed in housings or otherwise protected to prevent injury as a result of any such shattering to persons operating, using or observing the laser.

  5. Approved shielding shall be provided in respect of ultraviolet, visible and infrared collateral radiation from a laser discharge tube, optical pump source or other part of the laser or its laser system.

[19. deleted]

  1. The illuminance level in the controlled area referred to in item 4 shall be not less than 350 lux at all working sites during the operation or use of the laser.

  2. An alarm system, consisting of lights visible through protective eyewear, shall be used to give warning of the operation or use of the laser.

  3. Area warning signs complying with Section 10.5 of the laser safety standard shall be displayed at the entrance to the controlled area referred to in item 4.

  4. All persons having access to the controlled area referred to in item 4 shall be authorised to do so by or on behalf of the person in whose name the premises concerned are registered.

  5. Persons operating or using the laser system are to undergo eye examinations in accordance with section 10.11 of the laser safety standard.

[Schedule XIV amended: Gazette 10 Oct 1986 p. 3846; 15 Oct 1996 p. 5452; 17 Aug 2010 p. 4048; 20 Sep 2016 p. 3968; 7 Mar 2017 p. 1527.]

Appendix 1 Reproduced from Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983 (WA), as at 1 July 2026. 

© State of Western Australia 2026. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). To view relevant information and for a link to a copy of the licence, visit www.legislation.wa.gov.au

Page last reviewed: September 2026