Australia has entered a period of significant regulatory tightening around welding fume exposure, and many workplaces will need to reassess how they manage welding fume. Our latest white paper, Welding Fume Exposure in Australia – 2026 Regulatory Changes & the New Requirements for Effective Controls, breaks down what’s changing, why it matters, and what you need to do to stay compliant while protecting your team.
In January 2024, Australia reduced the permitted welding fume exposure standard by 80%. In December 2026, we’ll see further changes with Australia replacing Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) with Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) – a major shift toward aligning with more current global exposure limits.
Additionally, in March 2026, Australia and New Zealand adopted the new standard AS/NZS ISO 21904 series, a new international-aligned standard for welding fume extraction systems.
This white paper summarises the regulatory changes and explores the practical steps required to comply with the new limits and fume extraction standards.
What you'll learn:
- Understand the latest regulatory changes impacting welding fume exposure, including the shift to stricter Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs)
- Learn what the 2026 updates mean for compliance, risk management, and employer responsibilities
- See how exposure limits for hazardous metals are tightening dramatically – and what that means in practice
- Discover the new AS/NZS ISO 21904 standards for welding fume extraction systems and how they affect equipment selection
- Identify the most effective control strategies to protect welders and surrounding workers
- Prepare your workplace for the future with actionable guidance to stay compliant and protect worker health.
Download the white paper today to understand the new requirements and create a safer, healthier welding environment.
