AS/NZS 1319 Explained: The Complete Guide to Safety Sign Compliance in Australia

If you work in WHS, facilities management, or workplace safety in Australia, you have almost certainly encountered the term AS/NZS 1319. It appears on safety signs, in safe work method statements, in WHS policies, and in SafeWork improvement notices. But what does it actually mean, and what does it require of Australian workplaces?

This guide explains AS/NZS 1319 in plain language: what it covers, how the sign categories work, what the law requires, and what to do if your workplace is not compliant.

What is AS/NZS 1319?

AS/NZS 1319 is the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard titled Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment. It sets out the design requirements for safety signs used in workplaces, specifying the correct colours, shapes, symbols, and wording for each category of sign.

The standard is maintained by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand. It applies to any workplace covered by Work Health and Safety legislation, which in practice means virtually every commercial and industrial workplace in Australia.

The most recent version of the standard is AS/NZS 1319:1994, which remains current. While the standard itself is not automatically legally binding, it is referenced throughout the WHS Regulations and Codes of Practice as the benchmark for compliant workplace signage.

Why does AS/NZS 1319 matter?

The standard exists to make safety signs immediately recognisable regardless of language, literacy, or prior training. When every danger sign in Australia uses the same red, white, and black format, and every mandatory sign uses the same blue circle, so workers can identify the type of hazard or requirement the moment they see the sign, without needing to read it first.

This consistency is critical in high-risk environments where seconds matter. It is also what makes AS/NZS 1319 the recognised benchmark for WHS inspectors, who check for compliant signage as part of any workplace safety audit.

The 7 sign categories under AS/NZS 1319

The standard divides safety signs into seven categories, each with a defined colour scheme and purpose:

1. Danger signs

Colour: red, white, and black. Purpose: to identify an immediate hazard that could cause death or serious injury. The word DANGER must appear in white text on a red background. Used for live electrical equipment, toxic chemical storage, and other life-threatening hazards. Shop danger signs →

2. Warning signs

Colour: yellow and black. Purpose: to warn of a hazard that could cause injury or illness if not avoided. Warning signs use a yellow background with a black triangle. Common examples include forklift zones, slippery surfaces, and overhead hazards. Shop warning signs →

3. Caution signs

Colour: yellow and black (similar to warning, different format). Purpose: to indicate a potential hazard or unsafe practice of a lower severity than a warning sign. Used where an injury is possible but not probable without care. Shop caution & hazard signs →

4. Mandatory signs

Colour: blue circle with white symbol. Purpose: to indicate an action that must be taken. Mandatory signs are used to communicate PPE requirements, hygiene procedures, and access conditions. Common examples include hard hat, safety footwear, and eye protection signs. Shop mandatory signs →

5. Emergency information signs

Colour: green and white. Purpose: to indicate emergency equipment, escape routes, and first aid locations. Fire exits, muster points, and first aid kit locations are all covered by this category. Shop emergency & fire signs →

6. Fire signs

Colour: red and white. Purpose: to identify fire fighting equipment and fire alarm points. Distinct from danger signs in their purpose and format. Shop fire safety signs →

7. Prohibition signs

Colour: red circle with a diagonal bar, white background. Purpose: to indicate something that must not be done. No smoking, no entry, and no mobile phones signs fall under this category.

What does WHS legislation require?

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (and equivalent state and territory legislation), a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons at the workplace.

This duty includes the provision of adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision. Safety signage is a key part of providing that information, particularly for hazards that cannot be fully eliminated through engineering controls.

The WHS Regulations specifically require signage in a range of circumstances, including:

• At the entrances to confined spaces
• At asbestos work areas
• At hazardous chemical storage areas
• At electrical equipment and switchboards
• Where hearing protection is required
• At fall hazard areas on construction sites

Beyond these specific requirements, the general duty of care requires signage wherever a hazard cannot be adequately communicated by other means.

Common compliance failures

SafeWork inspectors regularly identify the following signage failures during workplace audits:

• Missing signs at identified hazard locations
• Signs that do not comply with AS/NZS 1319 colour and format requirements
• Signs that have faded, been damaged, or become obscured
• Incorrect sign category used for the hazard (for example, using a caution sign where a danger sign is required)
• Signs positioned so they cannot be easily seen from the approach direction

An improvement notice for signage non-compliance can be issued on the spot and requires remediation within the notice period, typically 8 to 30 days. Failure to comply with an improvement notice can result in fines.

How to audit your workplace signage

A basic signage audit involves walking your workplace and checking three things for every identified hazard:

1. Is there a sign? If there is a hazard or mandatory requirement that workers need to know about, there should be a sign.
2. Is the sign in the right category? Match the severity of the hazard to the correct sign type under AS/NZS 1319.
3. Is the sign in good condition and correctly positioned? Signs must be legible and placed so they are visible from the direction of approach.

Document your audit findings and address any gaps. Keep a record of the audit; if an incident occurs, documentation of your safety management efforts is important for demonstrating due diligence.

Sourcing AS/NZS 1319 compliant signs in Australia

Every safety sign Industro supplies is produced to AS/NZS 1319 specifications. Our range covers all seven sign categories across a wide range of workplace applications: construction, manufacturing, mining, healthcare, retail, and more.

For standard hazard scenarios, stock signs are available for same-day despatch from our Australian warehouse. For site-specific requirements or custom messaging, we produce custom signs to order.

For a practical explanation of what signage your workplace is legally required to display, see our guide to workplace safety signage requirements in Australia. If you are ready to buy, our complete buyer's guide to safety signs covers materials, sizing, and installation.

Browse our full range of AS/NZS 1319 compliant safety signs or contact us to discuss your workplace requirements.