Australian Standard Compliance Management Systems

Australian standard compliance management systems guidance is often treated as though conforming to it satisfied the law. The two are separate things.

A standard describes a framework for managing compliance. It is guidance, developed by a standards body, and organisations may choose to align with it or be certified against it by a third party.

Legal obligations come from legislation and regulation. They apply whether or not you have adopted any standard, and no certificate discharges them.

The relationship runs one way. A well implemented framework makes meeting obligations more likely and easier to evidence. It does not substitute for knowing which obligations apply to you, which is the part that requires judgement.

Be careful with claims. Certified to a standard is a fact. Compliant is not something a certificate establishes.

Standards Australia publishes Australian standards. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s workplace compliance system and GRC system.