SWMS Software for Australian Businesses
Build site-specific Safe Work Method Statements for high risk construction work, record worker acknowledgement, keep every version and its evidence, and export a professional PDF, all in one place, and always the current version on site.
What Complys SWMS software does
A SWMS is only useful if it is specific to the job, understood by the crew, and current on the day. Complys turns that from a paperwork scramble into a system: you build a job- and site-specific SWMS, have workers acknowledge it, keep it versioned as the work changes, and hold the evidence a principal contractor or regulator expects, instead of chasing signed PDFs across email and utes.
Who it's for
Builders and subcontractors doing high risk construction work; trades that need a SWMS on nearly every job, scaffolders, roofers, electricians, excavation crews; and principal contractors who have to collect and check everyone else's SWMS before work starts.
Build a site-specific SWMS
Create a SWMS for the actual job and site, the high risk work, its hazards and your controls, not a generic template with your logo on it.
Worker acknowledgement
Consult the crew and record each worker's sign-on against the current version, so you can show who acknowledged which SWMS.
Versions & review
Keep a version history and review the SWMS when the work, site or method changes, the copy on site is always the right one.
Evidence & audit trail
Hold the record a principal contractor or regulator asks for, with dates and acknowledgements attached to the work.
Professional PDF
Export a clean SWMS PDF for the site folder, the principal contractor, or the crew, while the live copy stays versioned in Complys.
Contractor SWMS
Collect and check subcontractors' SWMS, insurance, White Card and licences as part of onboarding.
When a SWMS is required: the 18 categories of high risk construction work
Under the model WHS Regulations a SWMS must be prepared before high risk construction work starts. It is the work that triggers it, not the trade, if a job involves any of these, you need a SWMS:
- 1A risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
- 2Work on a telecommunications tower
- 3Demolition of a load-bearing or structural element
- 4Work likely to disturb asbestos
- 5Structural alterations or repairs needing temporary support to prevent collapse
- 6Work in or near a confined space
- 7Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 m, or a tunnel
- 8The use of explosives
- 9Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping
- 10Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
- 11Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
- 12Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
- 13Tilt-up or precast concrete work
- 14Work on or near a road, railway or traffic corridor in use
- 15Work in an area with any movement of powered mobile plant
- 16Work in an area with artificial extremes of temperature
- 17Work in or near water or other liquid with a risk of drowning
- 18Diving work
Not sure whether your job qualifies? Start with how to write a SWMS or the SWMS explained guide.
Site-specific, not a generic template
A downloaded template is where a SWMS starts, not where it ends. Regulators and principal contractors reject template SWMS that do not reflect the real work, the actual hazards on that site, the plant in use, the crew doing it and the controls you will actually apply. Complys keeps the speed of a template but makes the output specific to the job, so it holds up when someone checks it. If you just want to see the format, the free SWMS template tool is a good place to start.
Consultation and acknowledgement
A SWMS has to be prepared in consultation with the workers who will do the work, and if the work is not being carried out in accordance with it, work stops until it is fixed. Complys records worker acknowledgement against the current version, so consultation is evidenced rather than assumed, and you can prove the crew signed on to the SWMS that was actually in force.
Review, version control and evidence
The document on site must be the current one. Complys keeps every version, so when the method or the site changes you revise the SWMS and the crew re-acknowledges, and the old versions stay on record. The result is an audit trail you can hand to a principal contractor or a regulator without digging through inboxes.
State and territory nuance
Most of Australia runs the model WHS laws, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, the NT and, since 2022, Western Australia, each administered by its own regulator. Victoria is the exception: it operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017 through WorkSafe Victoria, which still requires a SWMS for high risk construction work but under a separate framework. Complys works across both; always follow the rules for the state or territory you are working in.
SWMS software, FAQs
Are the SWMS site-specific or just templates?
Site-specific. A generic template is a starting point, not a compliant SWMS, the model WHS Regulations require the document to reflect the actual high risk construction work, the hazards at that site and the controls you will use. Complys builds a job-specific SWMS you tailor to the work and the site, rather than a downloaded template you sign and file.
Can workers review and acknowledge the SWMS on site?
Yes. A SWMS must be prepared in consultation with the workers doing the work, and they need to understand it before they start. Complys records each worker's acknowledgement against the current version, so you can show who signed on to which SWMS and when.
Does it keep version history and evidence for audits?
Yes. SWMS must be reviewed when the work, site or method changes, and the version on site must be the current one. Complys keeps the version history and an audit trail, and makes the approved SWMS accessible, so when a principal contractor or regulator asks, the evidence is already there.
Can I export or print a SWMS as a PDF?
Yes. You can generate a clean, professional SWMS PDF to keep in the site folder, hand to the principal contractor, or print for the crew, while the live, versioned copy stays in Complys.
Does it work in Victoria?
Yes. Most states and territories run the model WHS laws, but Victoria has its own scheme, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017, administered by WorkSafe Victoria, which still requires a SWMS for high risk construction work. Complys works across both frameworks; check the specific rules that apply where you work.
Can I collect and check subcontractors' SWMS?
Yes. As a principal contractor you can collect subcontractors' SWMS and verify their insurance, White Card and licences as part of onboarding, so nobody starts high risk work without the right documents in place.
How much does it cost, and is there a free trial?
You can start free for 30 days with no charge during it. After that, plans are priced by the size of your business, see pricing for the current Australian plans.
Does Complys certify our WHS compliance?
No. Complys organises your SWMS and records, keeps them current and verifies dates and acknowledgements, it does not certify compliance. The WHS regulator (or WorkSafe Victoria) assesses that independently.
Explore WHS & safety compliance
Dedicated tools for every part of staying WHS-compliant in Australia.
Manage your WHS obligations under the model WHS laws in one platform.
Onboard subbies and verify insurance, White Card, licences and SWMS.
Track White Card, inductions and licences per worker with reminders.
Assess hazards and feed your SWMS, with a risk matrix and controls.
Your whole WHS programme with a live readiness view.
Log incidents and keep records for notifiable incidents.
Specialist SWMS guides
Trade-specific guidance on the SWMS for common high-risk construction work.
A step-by-step guide to preparing a compliant, job-specific SWMS.
What to include when the work has a fall risk over two metres.
SWMS, high-risk work licences and inspection records for scaffolding.
Roof access, fragile surfaces, edges and falling objects.
When electrical work needs a SWMS, isolation and competency.
Trench depth triggers, ground collapse, services and plant.
Trade-specific SWMS
Commercial SWMS pages built around a single trade's hazards and workflow.
Create your SWMS in minutes
Start free for 30 days, no charge during your trial. Build a job-specific SWMS today, or try the free SWMS template first.