Audiometric Testing Australia in NSW is no longer just a best practice; from 1 January 2024 it is a clear regulatory requirement for many workplaces. Under Clause 58 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, employers must provide audiometric tests for workers who are exposed to hazardous noise. Done well, this is not only about legal compliance – it is a powerful way to protect your team, reduce risk and demonstrate that you take workplace health seriously.
This guide explains what the NSW audiometric testing requirements involve, how often testing must be completed, what your responsibilities are as an employer, and how onsite audiometric testing services across NSW can deliver convenient, cost-effective compliance and better hearing health outcomes for your workforce.
What Is Audiometric Testing and Why Does It Matter?
Audiometric testing is a clinical assessment of a person’s hearing, usually using pure-tone audiometry. During the test, the worker listens to sounds at different pitches and volumes through headphones, and the results are recorded on an audiogram. This shows the softest sounds they can hear at each frequency.
In a workplace context, audiometric testing serves three vital purposes:
- Establish a baseline for each worker’s hearing when they start a role with hazardous noise exposure.
- Monitor changes over time to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss, even before a worker notices any symptoms.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of noise controls and hearing protectors so you can strengthen your safety measures and meet your WHS duties.
Hearing loss can be permanent and life-altering, affecting communication, safety, mental wellbeing and quality of life. By integrating regular audiometric testing into your WHS program, you help ensure that noise at work does not become a silent, long-term injury risk for your people.
NSW Legal Requirements for Audiometric Testing (From 1 January 2024)
From 1 January 2024, Clause 58 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 sets out specific audiometric testing obligations for NSW employers whose workers are exposed to hazardous noise.
Who Must Receive Audiometric Testing?
Employers must provide audiometric tests for workers exposed to hazardous noise. In practice, this typically covers roles where noise levels are high enough that you are required to provide hearing protectors under WHS laws.
If your risk assessment shows that workers are regularly exposed to dangerous levels of noise and you have issued hearing protection as a control measure, those workers must be included in your audiometric testing program.
Timing and Frequency of Tests
Clause 58 specifies both initial and ongoing testing requirements:
- New workers exposed to hazardous noise must be tested within 3 months from the day they start that work.
- Ongoing monitoring must be carried out at intervals of no more than 2 years.
When planning your program, you should also consider the level of noise exposure, as well as the age and medical history of each worker, in line with good practice and the relevant standard. Workers at higher risk or in extremely noisy roles may benefit from more frequent monitoring.
Testing Must Comply with AS/NZS 1269.4:2014
Audiometric testing under Clause 58 must be:
- Carried out by a qualified audiometric tester.
- Conducted in accordance with AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 Occupational noise management – Auditory assessment.
Using a compliant provider helps ensure that your results are accurate, reliable and suitable for regulatory, insurance and WorkCover purposes. It also means the testing environment, equipment and procedures meet the technical standards expected by WHS regulators.
Recordkeeping and Providing Results to Workers
Employers must keep accurate records of all audiometric test results. Under the NSW WHS requirements you must:
- Maintain records of each worker’s audiometric test results as part of your WHS documentation.
- Provide workers with a copy of their test results.
- Use the results to monitor trends, identify emerging risks and guide improvements in noise controls.
Good recordkeeping demonstrates due diligence and allows you to compare current results with previous tests to identify any change in hearing over time.
Informing Workers About Noise Risks
The regulations also make it clear that audiometric testing is only one component of managing hazardous noise. Employers must:
- Inform workers about the risks associated with exposure to dangerous noise levels.
- Explain the measures in place to protect their hearing, such as engineering controls, administrative controls and hearing protectors.
- Encourage workers to report symptoms such as ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing, and to use their hearing protection correctly.
This ongoing communication helps build a safety culture where workers understand why audiometric testing and hearing protection matter, and actively participate in protecting their own hearing.
Actions Required When Hearing Loss Is Detected
Where audiometric testing identifies a change in a worker’s hearing or a suspected case of noise-induced hearing loss, employers must respond proactively. Specifically, you must:
- Review workplace noise controls to ensure they are effective and being correctly implemented.
- Strengthen controls where necessary, for example by improving engineering controls, revising work practices, or upgrading hearing protectors.
- Make reasonable workplace adjustments to accommodate a worker’s hearing loss, such as communication supports or changes to duties where required.
Responding quickly to any sign of hearing loss helps prevent further damage and shows regulators, workers and other stakeholders that you are committed to continuous improvement in WHS.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Clause 58 includes specific penalties for failing to meet audiometric testing obligations in NSW. The maximum penalties are:
- Individuals: up to 70 penalty units.
- Bodies corporate: up to 345 penalty units.
While the monetary value of a penalty unit is set separately and may change over time, these figures underline how seriously NSW regulators treat hearing protection and ongoing auditory assessment. A structured audiometric testing program is therefore both a legal safeguard and a smart risk management measure.
Key Benefits of Audiometric Testing for NSW Workplaces
Beyond ticking a regulatory box, a well-run audiometric testing program delivers strong business and people benefits.
- Early detection of hearing loss: Identify shifts in hearing long before they become severe, allowing you and your workers to act early.
- Stronger WHS compliance: Demonstrate that you meet Clause 58, follow AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 and take a structured approach to hazardous noise management.
- Reduced workers’ compensation risk: Prompt detection and control improvements can help reduce the likelihood and severity of hearing-related claims.
- Safer worksites: Workers with good hearing are better able to hear alarms, warning signals and verbal instructions, reducing incident risk.
- Higher employee confidence and engagement: When employees see that you invest in their long-term health, it builds trust and boosts company reputation.
- Data-driven decisions: Audiometric trends help you target noisy tasks, areas or equipment where further controls will have the greatest impact.
Onsite Audiometric Testing Across NSW: A Practical Way to Comply
Many NSW businesses are turning to onsite audiometric testing services as a convenient, cost-effective way to meet their obligations under Clause 58. Instead of sending workers offsite to clinics, a mobile testing provider comes to your premises at scheduled times.
Onsite audiometric testing offers several practical advantages:
- Minimal disruption: Workers are tested at your workplace, so they spend only a short time away from their usual duties.
- Suited to any workforce size: From a small team to hundreds of staff across multiple shifts, testing can be scaled to your needs.
- Metropolitan and remote coverage: Mobile testing units can service regional and remote locations as well as city sites across New South Wales.
- Mobile, controlled environment: Purpose-built mobile units or quiet rooms set up onsite provide the controlled acoustic environment required for accurate results.
- Cost-effective compliance: Reducing travel time and appointments offsite can significantly lower the total cost of meeting your WHS obligations.
- Report-ready results for WorkCover: Professional providers supply clear, compliant reports that can be readily used for internal WHS records and WorkCover purposes.
Because testing happens where your employees actually work, onsite programs also create a strong opportunity for education and engagement around noise risks and correct use of hearing protection.
What to Expect from an Onsite Audiometric Testing Session
While each provider will have its own processes, a typical onsite audiometric testing visit in NSW will follow a clear and structured workflow.
1. Pre-Planning and Scheduling
The provider will work with you to:
- Confirm which workers are exposed to hazardous noise and need testing.
- Plan dates and times that suit your production schedule or operations.
- Arrange access to parking or a suitable area for a mobile van, or identify a quiet room onsite if that approach is used.
2. Setup of the Testing Environment
On the day, the tester will set up a compliant testing environment, either in a mobile audiometric unit or in a suitably quiet room. The aim is to achieve stable conditions that meet the requirements of AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 so results are accurate and repeatable.
3. Individual Hearing Tests
Workers are tested one at a time. A session typically includes:
- A brief explanation of the process and an opportunity for the worker to ask questions.
- Fitting of calibrated headphones and completion of the pure-tone test.
- Recording of results on an audiogram and comparison with previous results where available.
Tests are usually quite short, so many workers can be tested in a single day without major impact on productivity.
4. Immediate Feedback and Education
Where appropriate, the audiometric tester can provide immediate, general feedback to workers, such as:
- Reinforcement of the importance of correctly using hearing protection.
- Basic explanation of what their audiogram shows.
- Guidance on seeking further clinical assessment if needed.
5. Reporting and Compliance Documentation
After testing, you receive:
- A summary of results, including analysis against previous tests if historical data is available.
- Individual records for your WHS files and for issuing to each worker.
- Clear, structured reports that can be used to support WorkCover obligations and internal risk reviews.
These reports help you quickly identify any concerning trends, roles with higher levels of risk, and opportunities to strengthen noise controls.
Building a Compliant Audiometric Testing Program in Your Business
To get full value from audiometric testing in NSW, it helps to treat it as an ongoing program rather than a one-off task. The following steps provide a practical roadmap.
1. Identify Hazardous Noise Exposure
Start with a workplace noise risk assessment. Identify roles, tasks, equipment and locations where workers may be exposed to hazardous noise and therefore require hearing protectors and audiometric testing under Clause 58.
2. Select a Qualified Audiometric Testing Provider
Choose a provider that:
- Uses qualified audiometric testers.
- Operates in accordance with AS/NZS 1269.4:2014.
- Offers onsite, mobile testing across NSW to minimise disruption to your operations.
- Provides clear, report-ready documentation suitable for regulatory and WorkCover needs.
3. Establish Baseline Tests for New Workers
Ensure new workers who are exposed to hazardous noise receive their initial audiometric test within 3 months of starting that work. Record these baseline results for future comparison.
4. Schedule Periodic Testing (At Least Every 2 Years)
Set up a schedule for ongoing testing at intervals of no more than two years. For large workforces, consider a rolling program to distribute testing throughout the year, making it easier to manage staffing and production.
5. Integrate Testing with Your WHS Management System
Link audiometric testing results with your broader WHS activities, including:
- Noise surveys and monitoring data.
- Maintenance and upgrade plans for noisy plant and equipment.
- Training on hearing protection and safe work practices.
This integrated approach helps ensure that testing translates into practical improvements on the ground.
6. Keep Records and Track Trends
Maintain organised, secure records of every worker’s audiometric test results. Review these regularly to detect:
- Any deterioration in an individual’s hearing over time.
- Patterns affecting particular roles, areas or tasks.
- Opportunities to refine engineering or administrative controls.
7. Act Quickly When Changes Are Detected
If testing shows that a worker’s hearing has declined, respond promptly by:
- Reviewing and, if necessary, strengthening existing noise controls.
- Checking that hearing protectors are appropriate, correctly fitted and consistently used.
- Considering any reasonable workplace adjustments the worker may need.
This rapid response not only helps protect the affected worker but may also prevent similar issues for others in comparable roles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Audiometric Testing in NSW
Which workplaces in NSW need audiometric testing?
Any NSW workplace where workers are exposed to hazardous noise and require hearing protectors under WHS laws must provide audiometric testing in line with Clause 58 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. This can include manufacturing, construction, mining, transport, logistics, agriculture, utilities and many other sectors.
Does audiometric testing replace noise controls?
No. Audiometric testing is an additional safeguard, not a substitute for controlling noise at its source. Employers must still follow the hierarchy of control to eliminate or reduce noise levels as far as reasonably practicable, and provide hearing protectors where residual risk remains. Testing helps you verify that these measures are working and pick up any emerging problems.
How often should we test workers’ hearing?
Under Clause 58, workers exposed to hazardous noise must be tested within 3 months of commencing that work, and then at intervals of no more than 2 years. You may choose to test more frequently for workers at higher risk, depending on your risk assessment and business needs.
Do workers still need hearing protection if their tests are normal?
Yes. If your risk assessment shows that noise levels are hazardous, hearing protection must still be worn, even if a worker’s current audiometric test results are within normal limits. The goal is to prevent future damage, not just detect damage after it has occurred.
What makes onsite audiometric testing cost-effective?
Onsite audiometric testing typically reduces or removes:
- Travel time and travel costs for workers.
- Lost productivity due to offsite appointments.
- Administrative complexity in coordinating multiple clinic visits.
By bringing the testing service to your workplace, you gain more control over scheduling, minimise disruption and still receive high-quality, compliant results that satisfy your WHS and WorkCover requirements.
Protect Your People and Strengthen Compliance with Audiometric Testing
The 2024 audiometric testing requirements in NSW are clear: if your workers are exposed to hazardous noise and need hearing protectors, you must provide regular, compliant hearing tests. But beyond the legal obligation, there is a powerful opportunity.
A structured, onsite audiometric testing program allows you to:
- Safeguard your employees’ long-term hearing health.
- Prove compliance with Clause 58 and AS/NZS 1269.4:2014.
- Detect hearing changes early and act before they worsen.
- Demonstrate leadership in workplace health and safety.
By investing in mobile, onsite audiometric testing across NSW, you protect your people, protect your business and build a safer, more sustainable future of work.
