COUNTRYMAN | State Government delays phosphine workplace exposure limits by three years, but not grain dust
The Western Australian Government has announced a three-year delay to new workplace exposure limits for phosphine, while confirming reduced grain dust limits will still take effect from 1 December 2026.
In an article published by Countryman, Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk confirmed the phosphine changes would be postponed until December 2029 following industry concerns about the practical implications for grain storage, pest management and export trade.
The decision follows similar delays in Victoria and South Australia, with the WA Government acknowledging the grain industry's reliance on phosphine and the lack of viable alternatives.
However, the Government has declined to extend the same delay to grain dust, despite concerns raised by Grain Producers Australia (GPA) about growers' ability to measure, monitor and manage exposure under the new limits.
The article references GPA's national survey of 420 growers, which found widespread concern about compliance and significant gaps in awareness and access to practical information.
The findings reinforce GPA's calls for workable, evidence-based standards and clearer guidance for growers ahead of implementation.
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