Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2024

New work, health and safety regulations are set to come into effect on 12 June 2025, following a Commonwealth government review of the offshore safety regime.

The new regulations reflect changes to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, which was amended by Parliament in May 2024, and published in December 2024.

The changes will support industry and NOPSEMA to ensure the ongoing health and safety of workers and provide a range of benefits across the sector. 

These include:
• Improving engagement between industry and the regulator in designing offshore facilities
• Strengthening the role of health and safety representatives
• Further recognising the importance of mental health
• Increasing regulatory oversight of diving operations
• Strengthening compliance mechanisms
• Streamlining administrative processes

NOPSEMA is in the process of updating guidance materials regarding these changes. To ensure industry, the workforce and our stakeholders understand the new requirements and what the regulator will seek, we have created an information sheet and a frequently asked questions document (below).

For specific information on the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Safety and Other Measures) Bill 2024, go to the Parliament of Australia website. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2024 can be found at www.legislation.gov.au along with the Explanatory Statement which identifies the specific changes between the 2009 and the 2024 regulations. 

NOPSEMA will continue to provide tailored communications throughout the change process and hold monthly information sessions with industry. The first information session was held on 17 February 2025.

Tuesday 18 March 2025: Safety Cases, Safety Critical Systems, HSRs

Watch the video presentation here.

You can view a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation here. 

The remaining information sessions will be held online on the following dates:

• Tuesday 15 April 2025 - Key topics: DNS, VANS
• Tuesday 20 May 2025 - Key topics: to be advised
• Tuesday 17 June 2025 - Key topics: to be advised

Invitations to the online sessions will be circulated in the lead-up to each session to key operator contacts for current registered facilities and AEP, to be shared with relevant personnel for each topic. Further interest in the sessions can be expressed by emailing communications@nopsema.gov.au.