
Australian Workwear Standards: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know
, by Michael Chen, 5 min reading time
, by Michael Chen, 5 min reading time
Confused by all the Australian workwear standards? This no-nonsense guide breaks down hi-vis, waterproof, and flame-resistant uniform regulations so you can buy confidently and keep your team safe and compliant.
As a business owner in Australia, especially in high-risk industries like construction, logistics, or manufacturing, providing compliant workwear is more than just good practice — it’s a legal and safety requirement.
At My Promo Shop, we supply custom branded workwear that not only looks professional but also meets Australian safety standards. In this guide, we break down what you need to know to stay compliant, keep your workers safe, and avoid costly penalties.
Workwear standards in Australia are governed by a combination of national safety codes and industry-specific guidelines. The key areas to understand include:
High-visibility clothing standards
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Garment classification and usage environments
While these standards are primarily developed by Standards Australia, they’re enforced and guided by Safe Work Australia and your local workplace health and safety regulator.
👉 Learn more about PPE at Safe Work Australia – PPE
This is the most referenced standard when it comes to high-visibility garments.
AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 outlines the design, materials, and reflective qualities required for garments worn in high-risk environments (like roadwork or night shifts). It classifies garments into:
Class D (Day use only)
Class N (Night use only)
Class D/N (Suitable for both day and night)
This ensures your staff are visible in varying light conditions, reducing the risk of workplace accidents.
👉 Summary guide: High-Visibility Clothing – Safe Work Australia
In many industries, the answer is yes. If the clothing is deemed PPE (e.g., high-vis vests, protective overalls), employers are legally required to provide it at no cost to employees.
The Fair Work Ombudsman outlines that uniforms must also comply with:
Workplace agreements or awards
Safety requirements
Tax and deduction rules (i.e., employers can’t charge workers for essential PPE)
👉 Full details at Fair Work Ombudsman – Uniforms and Other Clothing
Adding your company’s logo to hi-vis clothing is a great branding move — but it must be done without compromising the garment’s visibility. That means:
Logos should not block reflective tape
Customisation must not reduce the fluorescent surface area
Printing must use approved methods that don’t damage the fabric
At My Promo Shop, we offer compliant decoration services including:
Embroidery
Digital transfer
Screen printing
Custom trims and accessories
All done in-house by our local team, with the expertise to ensure your garments remain standards-compliant.
👉 See Our Garment Decoration Services
The easiest way to stay compliant is to work with a uniform supplier that understands Australian regulations. At My Promo Shop, we help businesses across Australia with:
✅ Compliant high-vis and PPE workwear
✅ Fast turnaround on small and large orders
✅ Expert decoration advice to meet industry standards
✅ Custom garment sourcing for special requirements
We’re based in Melbourne and support both small teams and large companies nationwide.
Each Australian state and territory has its own workplace safety body. If you're unsure whether your uniforms meet the correct standard, it's best to check with your local authority:
Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria – PPE Guide
NSW: SafeWork NSW
QLD: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
(...and others)
We’re here to help. Whether you need 10 shirts or 1,000 sets of branded high-vis gear, My Promo Shop offers:
✅ No minimum order
✅ Free design advice
✅ Fast Australia-wide delivery
✅ Expert compliance knowledge
👉 Start your order or learn more about our garment decoration services
We’re a family-run business with 20+ years in custom clothing—now fully online. Order now with no minimum and free logo included!