Audiometric Testing Requirements for Australian Workplaces

What is audiometric testing?

Audiometric testing is a hearing test that measures how well a worker can hear across a range of frequencies. In an occupational setting, it is the cornerstone of health surveillance for workers exposed to hazardous noise, the primary tool for detecting noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) early, before it becomes disabling.

NIHL is permanent and irreversible, but it develops slowly. Regular audiometry is the only reliable way to identify it at a stage where further exposure can be controlled and the worker protected.

When is it required?

Under the model Work Health and Safety Regulations, an employer must provide audiometric testing for workers who are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their hearing because they are exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard. This covers a wide range of industries including mining, construction, manufacturing, defence, aviation and heavy transport.

The relevant framework is set out in AS/NZS 1269 (Occupational noise management), which covers the management of noise in the workplace and the audiometric testing component of a hearing conservation program.

Baseline, periodic and exit testing

A compliant program generally involves three touchpoints:

• Baseline audiometry, a reference test, ideally conducted within three months of a worker starting in a noisy role.
• Periodic testing, regular monitoring (commonly every one to two years, or more frequently for higher-risk roles) to detect any change from baseline.
• Exit testing, a final test when a worker leaves the role or the business, providing closure on their hearing record.

Comparing each test to the baseline is what makes the program meaningful, a one-off hearing test tells you very little about whether a worker's hearing is being damaged at work.

What a good program looks like

Effective audiometric surveillance is more than just running tests. It includes:

• Accredited, calibrated testing conducted in a suitable environment.
• Clear, role-linked records so changes can be tracked over time.
• Interpretation by a competent person with referral where a significant shift is detected.
• Feedback to the worker and action on noise controls where indicated.

When a standard threshold shift is identified, the employer should review noise controls and the worker's hearing protection, and refer for further assessment if needed.

Why it protects employers too

Audiometric testing is not only a legal obligation, it is a powerful liability protection. A documented baseline and ongoing record demonstrate that any hearing loss was, or was not, caused during a worker's employment. Without baseline testing, defending a future hearing loss claim is far harder.

Getting started

Work Plus Health delivers audiometric testing to AS/NZS 1269 across our 37 WA clinics, with mobile and onsite options for workforces that cannot easily come to clinic. Baseline, periodic and exit testing, clear records, and same-day reporting, so you can prove you are protecting your people's hearing, and your business.