Pastoral Workers’ Accommodation Regulation 2026

This regulation may be cited as the Pastoral Workers’ Accommodation Regulation 2026.

This regulation commences on 1 September 2026.

For section 5 of the Act, definition pastoral work, paragraph (d), cooking for a worker employed on behalf of an occupier is declared to be pastoral work to the extent the cooking is performed by a person in the course of their employment on behalf of the occupier.

This section prescribes accommodation for—

sections 8(1) and 9(2) of the Act; and

section 10(1) of the Act to the extent the subsection relates to accommodation for resident workers provided with group accommodation.

The accommodation prescribed is accommodation that complies with the requirements under—

division 2 and schedule 1; and

section 14 and schedule 2.

This section prescribes accommodation for section 10(1) of the Act to the extent the subsection relates to accommodation for non-resident workers.

The accommodation prescribed is accommodation that complies with the requirements applying to the accommodation under division 2 and schedule 1.

This division applies to accommodation for resident workers or non-resident workers.

The accommodation must include a building, room or structure for each of the following uses—

as a kitchen complying with schedule 1, section 1;

as a dining area complying with schedule 1, section 2;

as a bathing area complying with schedule 1, section 3;

for toilet facilities complying with schedule 1, section 4;

if meat preparation is carried out on the premises where the accommodation is provided—for meat preparation facilities complying with schedule 1, section 5.

The accommodation must also be provided with waste disposal facilities complying with schedule 1, section 6.

In this section—

meat preparation means any part of the processing of meat from the slaughter of an animal until the meat is in a form that can be conveniently cooked for human consumption.

This section applies, despite section 7(1), if—

fewer than 4 non-resident workers are employed on behalf of an occupier to work on premises; and

no other worker, other than a worker employed as a cook, is employed on behalf of the occupier to work on the premises.

The following requirements do not apply to the accommodation provided by the occupier for the workers on the premises—

the requirement to include a building, room or structure for use as a kitchen;

the requirement to include equipment and utensils for a kitchen under schedule 1, section 1(d);

the requirement to include facilities for meat preparation under schedule 1, section 5.

Despite subsection (2)(a), the accommodation must include the things for a kitchen required under schedule 1, section 1(a), (b) and (c).

The accommodation must be provided only for—

a worker; and

if the occupier has agreed to provide the accommodation for a family member of the worker—the family member.

The accommodation must comply with the performance criteria stated in the Queensland Development Code, part 5.6.

For subsection (1), a performance criterion is complied with if—

the acceptable solution for the criterion set out opposite the criterion is complied with; or

the criterion is complied with in a way that is at least equivalent to the acceptable solution set out opposite the criterion.

In this section—

Queensland Development Code see the Building Act 1975, section 13.

The accommodation must be adequate to meet the reasonable needs of—

each worker using the accommodation; and

if the occupier has agreed to provide the accommodation for a family member of a worker—each family member.

Examples of the operation of subsection (1)—

• A reasonable need of a worker and 3 family members to enjoy fresh food might adequately be met by the provision of a refrigerator with a capacity of at least 170 litres.

• A reasonable need for a resident worker who performs mustering work away from the premises where the worker usually works and stays might adequately be met by the provision of kitchen facilities, sleeping quarters and laundry facilities for the worker only while they are working and staying on the premises.

Without limiting subsection (1), if a person cannot reasonably use the accommodation or part of the accommodation without a supply of water or energy, the accommodation must be provided with a supply of water or energy that is adequate to meet the reasonable needs of the person.

Examples—

• An adequate supply of clean water would be required to service a bathing area.

• A connection to an electricity supply and a water supply would be required to operate an electric washing machine.

The accommodation must be—

in good order and repair; and

in a hygienic condition.

Without limiting subsection (1)—

a building or structure that is part of the accommodation must be maintained and kept in a clean condition; and

any fittings, furnishings or equipment that are part of the accommodation must be—

maintained; and

kept in a clean condition; and

kept in working order.