Lower numerical limit
A future WEL can be lower than the current WES. For example, the published transition comparison changes acetone from a TWA of 500 ppm to 250 ppm and from a STEL of 1000 ppm to 500 ppm.
WES → WEL 2026 · Changed limits
Changed workplace exposure limits from 1 December 2026
The WEL transition changes more than the name of Australia's airborne-contaminant list. For a substantial set of entries, the future limit value, limit type or listing structure differs from the current WES.
Not every changed row is a simple old number → new number
Some changes are straightforward numerical decreases or increases. Others change the combination of TWA, STEL or peak limits, split one listing into several forms, merge entries, or alter notation. Form and fraction can therefore matter as much as the substance name.
Common change patterns
Higher numerical limit
Some entries move to a higher value. A numerical increase is still a regulatory change that should be identified correctly rather than assumed to be "no change".
Different limit type
A row may move between peak, TWA and STEL treatment or add/remove one of those components. These cases need the structure of the official listing, not just a numerical comparison.
Form or fraction split
Some substances have separate treatment for inhalable versus respirable fractions, fume versus dust/mist, soluble versus insoluble compounds or vapour versus particulate forms.
The nine proposed changes that will not occur on 1 December
Earlier proposal material contained possible new limits for benzene, chlorine, copper, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable crystalline silica and titanium dioxide. Safe Work Australia published a Decision RIS outcome on 24 June 2026 stating that a majority of WHS ministers did not support the proposed new exposure levels. Those nine exposure levels therefore remain at their current WES levels for the 1 December 2026 transition.
See the nine chemicals and the June 2026 decision →
Why BecSpec sometimes says "review required"
A transition record should only be shown as confirmed when the identity and applicable old/new listing can be supported. Where the published table is structurally complex, a substance maps to several forms, or the relevant fraction is missing from the inventory, BecSpec deliberately keeps the result in review rather than choosing a value.
Check your own inventory
The experimental WEL 2026 screener can identify exact, source-backed changed-limit matches and separate them from ambiguous cases. It is not an exposure assessment or compliance determination.
Official sources
Safe Work Australia — Changes between the WES and WEL ↗
Safe Work Australia — Decision RIS for 9 chemicals ↗