Tracking Australia’s Engineered Stone Ban: From July 2024 Rollout to Current Reforms

Australia has introduced a landmark, world-first ban on engineered stone to combat the growing health crisis linked to respirable crystalline silica, a major cause of silicosis among workers. This sweeping reform impacts manufacturers, suppliers, installers, and importers of engineered stone across the country—especially blue collar workers who face the highest exposure to silica-related risks. With phased enforcement and evolving rules, the ban is reshaping safety standards in the construction and renovation industries.

This guide explores the timeline, scope, and legal implications of the ban while highlighting key reforms and safety regulations. It also outlines how transitional arrangements, exemptions, and compliance measures are being managed nationwide.

Key Takeaways

  • Australia’s ban on engineered stone starts 1 July 2024, targeting products with ≥1% crystalline silica.
  • A national import ban begins 1 January 2025 to prevent future engineered stone entry.
  • Transition allowances exist for pre-2024 contracts in most states, ending 31 December 2024.
  • Strict WHS compliance, including dust suppression and respirator use, is mandatory for transitional work.
  • Regulatory reforms expand beyond engineered stone to all silica-containing materials from 1 September 2024.

Ban Rollout Timeline

Ban Rollout Timeline

This outlines the key dates and phases of Australia’s engineered stone ban, including domestic restrictions, silica regulation, and import prohibitions.

1 July 2024: Domestic Ban Commences

Manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs became illegal across all Australian states and territories from this date. The ban specifically targets products containing at least 1% crystalline silica by weight.

Exceptions are allowed for:

  • Removal, repair, minor modification, and disposal of engineered stone products installed before the ban, provided strict safety controls and notification to regulators are observed.
  • Engineered stone products with less than 1% crystalline silica.
  • Certain products such as concrete, cement, bricks, porcelain, ceramic tiles, grout, mortar, render, plasterboard, and finished items that do not require further processing (e.g., jewellery, garden ornaments, kitchen sinks).
  • Some states (e.g., South Australia, Western Australia) provided transitional periods for contracts entered into before 31 December 2023, allowing installations to be completed by 31 December 2024.

1 September 2024: Stronger Regulation of Crystalline Silica

Amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations introduced stricter controls on all materials containing at least 1% crystalline silica, not just engineered stone.

Requirements include:

  • Risk assessments to determine if processing is “high risk.”
  • Additional duties and control measures for high-risk work.
  • Continued notification and control for any permitted processing of legacy engineered stone.

1 January 2025: Import Ban

  • Importation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs into Australia is prohibited, closing the border to new engineered stone products.
  • The ban covers products with more than 1% crystalline silica.
  • Exemptions include importation for genuine research, analysis, or under specific regulator-approved circumstances.
  • The Australian Border Force is empowered to seize prohibited imports, and importers must demonstrate that goods are not engineered stone, often requiring laboratory testing.

Key Features and Ongoing Reforms

Key Features and Ongoing Reforms

Australia’s engineered stone ban is more than a prohibition—it’s part of a broader regulatory transformation designed to protect workers from the dangers of respirable crystalline silica. Below is a breakdown of the key elements of the policy and the continuing reforms shaping its implementation.

1. Definition and Scope of the Ban

The core definition remains stable, but clarification on product classifications and silica content thresholds continues to evolve through updated regulatory guidance.

  • What is Engineered Stone?
    Defined as a manufactured product that contains at least 1% crystalline silica by weight. It is produced by combining natural stone particles with resins, binders, or pigments, then curing the material to create a hard surface.
  • Products Included:
    • Engineered stone benchtops, slabs, and panels used in kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial settings have long driven demand for stone industry jobs in Australia, particularly among fabricators and installers.
  • Products Excluded:
    • Natural stone products (e.g., granite, marble).
    • Products with <1% crystalline silica.
    • Finished goods not requiring further processing (e.g., ceramic sinks, tiles, concrete).

2. Enforcement and Compliance

Ongoing changes include increased workplace inspections, evolving compliance codes, and stronger penalties as states refine enforcement protocols.

  • Regulatory Oversight: Enforcement is managed at the state and territory level, with dedicated silica inspectors.
  • Workplace Audits and Penalties:
    • Random inspections are conducted to ensure compliance across all sectors of blue collar work, particularly those involving high-risk materials like engineered stone.
    • Fines and stop-work orders may be issued for breaches of the ban.
  • New Resources for Duty Holders:
    • Updated compliance codes and safety guidelines have been released.
    • Resources are aimed at helping employers meet obligations under WHS laws.

3. Exemption and Transition Frameworks

While the transition deadlines are fixed, the exemption process remains open to updates based on emerging evidence and regulatory decisions.

  • Exemptions:
    • A national application process allows suppliers or importers to request exemptions.
    • Approval is granted only if rigorous evidence demonstrates safe handling and minimal risk.
  • Transition Periods (Pre-Ban Contracts):
    • States like NSW, SA, WA, NT, and TAS allow work under contracts signed on or before 31 December 2023 to be completed by 31 December 2024.
    • No transitional period is offered in QLD, VIC, or ACT.

4. Future Directions and Broader Reforms

Active reforms are underway to expand silica-related safety regulations beyond engineered stone, with new controls and guidance being progressively implemented.

  • Expansion of Silica Controls:
    • From 1 September 2024, new regulations cover all materials with ≥1% crystalline silica—not just engineered stone.
    • Risk assessments and stricter safety controls are now mandatory for high-risk crystalline silica work, reinforcing safety protocols in sectors employing thousands in trade jobs in Australia.
  • Continuous Regulatory Updates:
    • Codes of practice and guidance will evolve as technology, research, and compliance data inform policy refinement.

Summary Matrix: Key Features

FeatureDescription
Definition of Engineered StoneArtificial product with ≥1% crystalline silica
Scope of BanIncludes benchtops, slabs, panels; excludes natural stone and trace silica
EnforcementManaged by states/territories with inspections and penalties
Transition RulesAllowed in select states until 31 Dec 2024 for pre-ban contracts
ExemptionsPossible via national application with safety justification
Broader Silica RegulationApplies to all crystalline silica work from 1 Sept 2024 onward
Guidance & UpdatesCompliance codes and WHS resources under continual development

Summary Table: Key Dates and Measures

DateMeasure/Change
1 July 2024Domestic ban on manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone (≥1% silica)
1 September 2024Stricter regulation of all crystalline silica substances (≥1%)
1 January 2025Import ban on engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs (≥1% silica)

Impact of Transition Arrangements

Impact of Transition Arrangements

Australia’s ban on engineered stone, effective from 1 July 2024, includes transition arrangements that affect how existing projects are completed. The specifics of these arrangements vary by state and territory, but the central aim is to allow certain pre-existing contracts to be fulfilled while ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance.

The transitional rules also provide a smoother pathway for tradespeople working in blue collar jobs, ensuring existing projects can be completed safely and legally.

Key Points of the Transition Arrangements

  • Eligibility for Transition
    • In most jurisdictions (such as South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, and New South Wales), projects are eligible for transition if the contract for the supply, installation, or processing of engineered stone was signed on or before 31 December 2023.
    • These eligible projects must be completed by 31 December 2024. After this date, any remaining work must use alternative materials.
    • In Queensland, Victoria, and the ACT, there is no transition period: all work with engineered stone (regardless of contract date) must cease as of 1 July 2024.
  • Permitted Activities During Transition
    • Only activities specified in the pre-ban contract are allowed. No new contracts for engineered stone are permitted after 31 December 2023.
    • Subcontractors can fulfill work under an eligible original contract, even if their own subcontract was signed after 31 December 2023, as long as it is anchored to the original agreement.
  • Safety and Notification Requirements
    • All work during the transition must comply with strict safety controls, including:
      • Wet cutting and dust suppression
      • On-tool dust extraction
      • Local exhaust ventilation
      • Use of respiratory protective equipment
    • Businesses must notify the relevant work health and safety (WHS) regulator before undertaking any processing, removal, repair, or minor modification of engineered stone (including “legacy” stone installed before the ban).
    • Notifications must be renewed annually or whenever there is a significant change in the scope or nature of work.
  • Penalties for Non-Compliance
    • Failure to comply with notification or safety requirements can result in significant fines for both businesses and individuals.

Summary Table: State-by-State Transition Arrangements

State/TerritoryTransition Allowed?Eligible Contract DateCompletion DeadlineNotes
NSWYes≤ 31 Dec 202331 Dec 2024Notify regulator, strict controls
SAYes≤ 31 Dec 202331 Dec 2024Notify regulator, strict controls
WAYes≤ 31 Dec 202331 Dec 2024Notify regulator, strict controls
NTYes≤ 31 Dec 202331 Dec 2024Notify regulator, strict controls
TASYes≤ 31 Dec 202331 Dec 2024Notify regulator, strict controls
QLDNoN/AN/AAll work ceased 1 July 2024
VICNoN/AN/AAll work ceased 1 July 2024
ACTNoN/AN/AAll work ceased 1 July 2024

Transitional Rules on Engineered Stone Installations 

Transitional Rules on Engineered Stone Installations 

Transitional rules were introduced alongside Australia’s engineered stone ban to provide a practical pathway for ongoing installations that were contractually committed before the ban’s enforcement. Here’s how these rules help businesses and consumers with existing projects:

1. Allowing Completion of Pre-Ban Contracts

This section explains how ongoing projects affected by the ban are being handled through transitional arrangements.

  • Eligibility: Installations can proceed if the contract for supply and installation of engineered stone was signed on or before 31 December 2023 in most jurisdictions.
  • Completion Deadline: These projects must be finished by 31 December 2024. After this date, any unfinished work must use alternative materials.
  • Subcontracting: Subcontractors can also work on these projects if their work is anchored to an eligible pre-ban contract, even if their own subcontract was signed after 31 December 2023.

2. Providing Certainty for Builders and Clients

An overview of how the new rules aim to reduce confusion and support contractual clarity for construction stakeholders.

  • Contractual Assurance: Builders and clients with eligible contracts have a clear legal right to complete their projects, reducing uncertainty and potential disputes.
  • Time to Adjust: The transition period gives businesses and consumers time to adjust plans, source alternative products for future projects, and manage supply chains.

3. Enforcing Stronger Safety Controls

This part outlines the increased focus on health and safety measures during the transitional period.

  • Mandatory Controls: All ongoing installations during the transition must comply with strict safety measures, such as:
    • Wet cutting and dust suppression
    • On-tool dust extraction
    • Local exhaust ventilation
    • Use of respiratory protective equipment
  • Prohibited Practices: Dry cutting and other high-risk activities without effective controls are strictly forbidden.

4. Notification and Regulatory Oversight

This is a summary of the obligations businesses must fulfill to remain compliant under regulatory supervision.

  • Regulator Notification: Businesses must notify their relevant work health and safety (WHS) regulator before starting any installation or processing of engineered stone under transitional arrangements.
  • Ongoing Compliance: Notifications must be updated if there are changes to the project scope or after 12 months if work continues.

5. Guidance and Support

This section highlights available resources to help industry professionals and consumers adapt to the new requirements.

  • Industry Guidance: Codes of practice and updated industry guidance are available to help builders and tradespeople understand and comply with the new requirements during the transition.
  • Consumer Support: Consumers are encouraged to discuss options with suppliers if their project cannot be completed within the transition window, including switching to alternative materials.

Summary Table: Transitional Rule Benefits

BenefitDescription
Contractual certaintyAllows completion of eligible pre-ban contracts by 31 Dec 2024
Time to adaptBusinesses and clients can adjust plans and supply chains
Safety enforcementStrong safety controls and prohibition of high-risk practices
Regulatory oversightMandatory notification and compliance with WHS regulators
Industry and consumer guidanceSupport resources and advice for navigating the transition

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Conclusion

Australia’s engineered stone ban marks a pivotal shift in safeguarding worker health and setting global standards for silica regulation. With phased rollouts, strict safety protocols, and clear transitional rules, the policy strikes a balance between immediate public health priorities and the practical realities of ongoing construction projects. As reforms continue, the focus remains on compliance, accountability, and long-term industry transformation.

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FAQs

Can homeowners be penalized for having engineered stone already installed in their homes?

No, the ban does not penalize homeowners for existing engineered stone installations made before 1 July 2024. However, any future removal, repair, or modification must comply with strict safety controls and require notification to the relevant WHS regulator.

Will alternative materials be monitored for silica content under the new regulations?

Yes. From 1 September 2024, any material containing 1% or more crystalline silica—regardless of its type—will be subject to stricter WHS regulations, including mandatory risk assessments and safety measures.

How can suppliers or importers prove that their products are not engineered stone?

Suppliers and importers may be required to provide laboratory test results or certification showing the silica content is below 1%. In some cases, regulators may request documentation proving the product’s composition and intended use.

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