Clean air and workplace health

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ between states and change over time, so check the linked official sources for your site. Last reviewed 10 November 2026.

There is no single "Clean Air Act"

Australia does not have one national clean air law. Air and dust are covered by a mix of workplace health and safety rules, state environment laws and national standards.

1. Workers' health: workplace exposure standards

Under the model work health and safety laws, a business must manage the risk of airborne contaminants so far as is reasonably practicable. Safe Work Australia publishes workplace exposure standards for many dusts. For respirable crystalline silica, which can be present in some minerals and aggregates, the exposure standard has been0.05 mg/m3 over an eight-hour day. From 1 December 2026 the workplace exposure standards are replaced by newworkplace exposure limits, so check Safe Work Australia and your state regulator for the limit that applies to you.

2. Environmental duties: state laws

Each state has its own environment law. In Victoria, thegeneral environmental dutyrequires anyone whose activities could harm human health or the environment, including through dust, to minimise that risk so far as reasonably practicable. Other states and territories have their own licences, limits and guidance.

3. National air quality

The National Clean Air Agreementsets a framework for governments, and nationalambient air quality standardscover fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5). A newNational Environmental Protection Agencybegan operating on 1 July 2026 as part of wider environment law reform.

How a DustCone hopper helps

Most dust at a loading point is made as the material falls. A DustCone hopper reduces dust at the source by delivering a consolidated column instead of an aerated spray, with no power, filters or compressed air to maintain. It is one practical control, and it helps operators meet their duty to minimise dust. It does not by itself guarantee compliance, which depends on your site, your material and your regulator.