This article explains who is legally responsible for notifying regulators when elevated blood lead levels are detected—whether it's the pathology lab, your occupational health provider (e.g. KINNECT), or you as the PCBU (employer). This varies by jurisdiction and depends on which threshold has been exceeded.
If your organisation is conducting Lead Health Surveillance as part of your WHS obligations — particularly where workers are exposed to lead in the workplace — it’s important to understand your responsibilities when an employee’s blood lead level is elevated.
Blood Lead Monitoring: What Triggers a Notification?
Across all Australian jurisdictions, blood lead levels above certain thresholds must be reported to regulators—either under public health legislation, workplace health and safety (WHS) laws, or both.
In most cases:
The pathology laboratory must report elevated levels to the Public Health Unit.
The employer (PCBU) must report to their WHS regulator if the result indicates overexposure or a worker must be removed from lead-risk work.
KINNECT, as your occupational health provider, typically has a duty to inform you, but not to notify public health—except in WA, where we may notify WHS if we’re acting as the Appointed Medical Practitioner (AMP).
Notification Responsibilities by Jurisdiction
The table below summarises notification obligations across each Australian state and territory, including who is responsible and who must be notified.
State / Territory | Trigger Level (µg/dL) | Lab Must Notify Public Health and/or WHS Regulator | KINNECT Must Notify WHS Regulator | PCBU (Employer) Must Notify WHS Regulator | Who is Notified |
QLD | ≥5 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if excessive exposure identified | QLD Health (lab); WHSQ (PCBU) |
NSW | ≥10 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if adverse effect or exposure detected | NSW Health (lab); SafeWork NSW (PCBU) |
VIC | ≥5 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if health risk found during surveillance | VIC Dept of Health (lab); WorkSafe VIC (PCBU) |
SA | ≥10 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if adverse surveillance findings | SA Health (lab); SafeWork SA (PCBU) |
WA | ≥5 | ✅ Public Health only | ✅ Yes, if KINNECT is AMP & level exceeds WHS trigger | ✅ Yes – if removal level exceeded (mandatory) | WA Health (lab); DMIRS (KINNECT/PCBU) |
TAS | ≥10 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if adverse effect during surveillance | TAS Health (lab); WorkSafe TAS (PCBU) |
NT | ≥10 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if surveillance detects health effect | NT CDC (lab); NT WorkSafe (PCBU) |
ACT | ≥5 | ✅ Public Health only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – if overexposure or health risk found | ACT Health (lab); WorkSafe ACT (PCBU) |
What’s Expected of You as the Employer?
Under Model WHS Regulation 50, if health surveillance identifies:
A lead-related illness, or
A blood lead level that exceeds the "removal level":
30 µg/dL for adult males
20 µg/dL for females of reproductive capacity
Then you, as the PCBU, must:
Remove the worker from lead-risk work immediately, and
Notify your state’s WHS regulator without delay.
You are also responsible for investigating the cause of exposure and taking steps to prevent recurrence.
KINNECT’s Role
KINNECT will:
coordinate testing and clinical reviews as part of your Lead Health Surveillance program.
advise you if a result is clinically significant or requires withdrawal from lead-risk work.
provide support and documentation to help you fulfil your WHS obligations.
if in Western Australia, where applicable, notify DMIRS directly if we are engaged as the Appointed Medical Practitioner (AMP) and the removal threshold is exceeded.
Need Help?
If you're unsure about your responsibilities or whether a notification is required, contact your KINNECT Account Manager or Clinical Team. We’re here to ensure your business remains compliant and your workforce safe.