Grain Trade Australia (GTA) has welcomed the announcement by WorkSafe Victoria proposing to delay the commencement of new Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for 15 airborne contaminants, including phosphine, until 1 December 2029.

This is especially welcomed given GTA and other industry participants have been raising concerns with federal and state governments and regulators for some time that the revised phosphine WELs, due to commence on 1 December 2026, cannot presently be measured or met in practice, and were set without robust evidence that they will deliver a measurable improvement in the health of Australian workers.

GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy said the Victorian decision was a practical and welcome step.

“GTA and its Members are unequivocally committed to the safety of everyone who works in the grain value chain. That commitment is exactly why we have been advocating for a realistic implementation pathway.”

“The proposed WELs apply limits at levels that current monitoring technology cannot reliably measure in practical workplace conditions, particularly the peak limit. A standard that cannot be measured cannot be verified, cannot be enforced consistently, and cannot demonstrably improve safety outcomes.”

Phosphine is the primary fumigant used to protect stored grain from insect pests across the Australian supply chain, from on-farm storage through to bulk terminals. There is no equivalent, registered, commercially viable alternative available at the scale the industry requires.

“Without a workable phosphine standard, Australia’s ability to deliver pest-free grain to domestic and international customers is put at risk,” Pat said. “That is a biosecurity, market access, and trade issue, not just a compliance issue.”

GTA has also noted that the proposed Australian limits would place Australia out of step with comparable grain exporting and importing jurisdictions, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Argentina.

“The additional time proposed by WorkSafe Victoria provides the space for the work that should accompany a change of this magnitude – validating measurement methods, understanding the operational and economic impacts, and developing controls that the industry can actually implement.”

GTA is now asking Safe Work Australia and the remaining state and territory WHS regulators to consider a nationally consistent position.

“A patchwork of different regulation across state and territory jurisdictions would be unworkable for a supply chain that moves grain across state borders every day. We encourage other regulators to align with the approach proposed in Victoria, so industry has one clear, consistent, and achievable timeframe.”

GTA will work constructively with WorkSafe Victoria, the APVMA and industry partners during this time extension on a phosphine exposure standard that is measurable, achievable, and genuinely protective of worker health. GTA will continue to engage with Safe Work Australia and other state and territory policymakers and regulators to provide similar extensions to validate measurement methods and understand the operational and economic impacts. GTA will assist industry to develop controls that the industry can actually implement and enhance the current management systems for ensuring worker safety.

Media Contact

Pat O’Shannassy
CEO, Grain Trade Australia
Phone: +61 2 9235 2155
Email: pat.oshannassy@graintrade.org.au | www.graintrade.org.au

About GTA

Grain Trade Australia (GTA) is the peak industry body for the commercial grains sector in Australia, providing the framework to facilitate and promote grain trade. With over 280 Member organisations spanning the entire value chain, GTA Members are responsible for over 95% of all grain contracts, storage and freight movements nationally. GTA also represents Australia’s interests in global markets through its role as a founding and active member of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC). A list of GTA Members can be found at www.graintrade.org.au