Workplace Noise Testing, Survey & Occupational Noise Assessment — Sydney
Enviro Corp’s occupational noise assessment covers everything a PCBU needs under the WHS Regulation 2017 — workplace noise testing, occupational noise surveys, and full noise exposure assessments for existing workplaces with machinery, plant, or power tools.
Excessive noise is one of the most common, and most preventable, workplace hazards in Australia. If your team works around machinery, power tools, plant, or industrial processes, you have a legal duty under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 to identify and control the risk before it causes permanent hearing damage.
Our experienced consultants carry out workplace noise testing and noise exposure assessments for businesses across Sydney, measured in accordance with AS/NZS 1269 — Occupational Noise Management and Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice. We deliver the data, the compliance report, and the recommendations you need.
Call 1300 980 612 for a workplace noise survey and an obligation-free quote.
Looking for acoustic comfort testing instead — background office noise, open-plan complaints, or NABERS/WELL acoustic requirements? That’s a different assessment against AS/NZS 2107 — see our Indoor Noise Testing page.
Need a noise assessment for a development application, EPA licence, or council consent instead? That’s a different assessment — a Noise Impact Assessment prepared under the NSW Noise Policy for Industry — see our Acoustic Consultants page.
What Is a Workplace Noise Assessment?
A workplace noise assessment — also called a workplace noise survey or occupational noise testing — is a structured evaluation that:
- Identifies the sources of noise in your workplace
- Measures the levels workers are actually exposed to
- Compares those levels against Australian WHS guidelines
- Recommends practical controls to bring exposure within safe limits
We offer two levels of assessment, depending on what your site needs:
Walkthrough Noise Survey
Spot measurements taken across the workplace to determine whether noise levels are likely to exceed the exposure standard — a fast, cost-effective way to screen a site.
Detailed Noise Assessment
Full-shift personal dosimetry and/or octave band analysis to accurately quantify individual worker exposure and inform hearing protection selection — the level of detail needed for compliance reporting and control decisions.
Australian Noise Exposure Standards
| Measure | Limit | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Average noise exposure (LAeq,8h) | 85 dB(A) | Mandatory noise assessment and control measures |
| Peak noise levels (LC,peak) | 140 dB(C) | Immediate control measures |
A simple rule of thumb: if you need to raise your voice to be heard by someone one metre away, noise levels at work are likely high enough to warrant testing.
The Legal Framework
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) — Part 4.1, Noise
- Clause 56 — Meaning of exposure standard for noise (defines the 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h / 140 dB(C) LC,peak limits)
- Clause 57 — Managing risk of hearing loss from noise (the PCBU’s general duty to assess and control noise risk)
- Clause 58 — Audiometric testing (mandatory testing for workers frequently required to wear hearing protection PPE, within 3 months of starting and at least every 2 years thereafter)
Australian/New Zealand Standards
- AS/NZS 1269.1 — Occupational noise management, Part 1: Measurement and assessment of noise immission and exposure
- AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 — Occupational noise management, Part 4: Auditory assessment
- AS/NZS 2659 — Hearing protectors: selection, use and maintenance
- AS 1319 — Safety signs for the occupational environment
Code of Practice
Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work — Safe Work Australia’s model Code of Practice.
(Optional download: workplace noise testing services brochure)
Call 1300 980 612 or complete the enquiry form below — Name, email, phone and a short description of your enquiry. We respond fast, provide an obligation-free quote, visit your site if needed, and deliver a compliance-ready report.
Call us now on 1300 980 612 or complete the form below
Drop us a few lines with your query and one of our specialists will get in touch with you. Alternatively, email us directly at admin@enviro-corp.com.au
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How Enviro Corp Conducts Occupational Noise Testing and Assessment in Sydney
Our occupational noise consultants visit your site and conduct full-shift noise monitoring tailored to your workforce and operations. Here’s what the occupational noise survey process looks like:
- Site briefing. We review your workplace layout, machinery, shift patterns, and any prior noise data to design the most accurate assessment approach.
- Dosimeter deployment. We clip personal noise dosimeters to workers’ collars, with the microphone positioned at the most exposed shoulder. A single consultant can monitor multiple workers simultaneously across different roles and areas.
- Full-shift measurement. Dosimeters record continuously throughout the shift, capturing noise across all tasks, not just peak moments — this is the only method that gives a true picture of daily exposure.
- Area & octave band monitoring. Octave band analysis is used where tonal or low/high frequency noise affects hearing protector selection.
- Area monitoring (where needed). For fixed noise sources or zone mapping, we also deploy calibrated sound level meters to measure noise levels across your floor plan.
- Assessment report. We prepare a detailed occupational noise assessment report — results, comparison against WHS limits, hearing protection recommendations, and control measures — ready for your records and any SafeWork NSW inspection.
Our dosimeters are intrinsically safe, rated for use in environments with flammable gases or fuels, so testing can proceed in hazardous atmospheres without additional hazard management on your end.
Health Effects of Occupational Noise Exposure
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common workplace injuries in Australia — and one of the most preventable. Unlike a cut or a broken bone, it develops silently over years, often going unnoticed until the damage is permanent.
Physical effects
- Permanent hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Reduced ability to hear high frequencies
- High blood pressure and heart disease
Workplace effects
- Missed warning signals — increased accident risk
- Reduced communication and concentration
- Lower productivity across teams
- Psychological stress and fatigue
- Workers’ compensation exposure
The good news: with the right assessment, control measures, and hearing protection program, most of this risk is entirely manageable.
Is Workplace Noise Testing Required by Law in NSW?
Yes. The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 places a legal obligation on every person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure workers are not exposed to noise above the exposure standard. If you have workers operating machinery, power tools, or in loud environments, you are required to conduct an occupational noise assessment.
From 1 January 2024, NSW also mandates audiometric (hearing) testing for any worker who frequently wears hearing protection at work. A workplace noise assessment is the essential first step — it determines who is at risk and whether audiometric testing is required.
Assessments should be repeated at least every five years, or sooner if you:
- Install new or remove machinery
- Change workload or operating conditions
- Modify the building structure in ways that affect noise
- Change shift arrangements affecting time spent in noise areas
Industries we test
Why Choose Enviro Corp for your workplace noise survey
- Assessment conducted by qualified consultants experienced in AS1269-compliant noise measurements
- Full-shift dosimetry, area monitoring, and octave band analysis available in a single visit
- Intrinsically safe equipment for hazardous atmospheres
- Clear, Safe Work-ready reports with prioritised, practical control recommendations
- Servicing businesses across Sydney, with fast turnaround and transparent quoting
Frequently asked questions:
What is a workplace noise assessment?
A workplace noise assessment is an evaluation to identify sources of noise in a workplace, measure noise levels, and compare results against acceptable exposure standards. It is a critical component of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and helps employers take steps to reduce noise exposure and protect workers from the harmful effects of excessive noise.
Is a workplace noise assessment required by law in Australia?
Yes. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, businesses with workers at risk of noise exposure are required to conduct workplace noise assessments. A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a primary duty to ensure the health and safety of workers while they are at work, which includes organising a workplace noise assessment.
What are the noise exposure standards in Australia?
The WHS Regulations set the exposure standard for noise at an LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) and a peak noise level of 140 dB(C). These standards are designed to protect most workers from hearing damage, and workplace noise should ideally be kept below these limits where reasonably practicable.
How is workplace noise measured?
Workplace noise is measured using a sound level meter or a personal noise dosimeter. During a workplace noise assessment, dosimeters are attached to workers during their shifts — typically clipped to the collar with the microphone positioned at the most exposed shoulder — to capture the actual noise levels each worker is exposed to throughout their working day.
What are the health effects of exposure to hazardous workplace noise?
Exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Short-term exposure can cause temporary hearing changes or tinnitus (ringing in the ears), while repeated exposure may lead to permanent tinnitus and hearing loss. High noise levels can also cause physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, impair communication and concentration, and contribute to workplace accidents. Other health effects include anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.”
Can Enviro Corp test multiple workers at the same time?
Yes. Enviro Corp can attach noise dosimeters to multiple workers simultaneously during their work shifts to establish the noise levels each individual is exposed to. Assessments can also account for varying duties and different shift lengths, providing a comprehensive picture of occupational noise exposure across the workforce.
What happens after a workplace noise assessment is completed?
After the noise assessment, Enviro Corp prepares an occupational noise assessment report detailing findings and comparing measured noise levels against WHS guideline limits. The report includes recommendations for appropriate hearing protection and noise control measures, which may include elimination or substitution of noise sources, engineering controls, administrative controls, or personal protective equipment (PPE).
Where does Enviro Corp provide workplace noise testing services?
Enviro Corp provides workplace noise testing and occupational noise assessment services to businesses across Sydney and New South Wales (NSW). To arrange an obligation-free proposal, call 1300 980 612 or complete the online contact form.
Do I need audiometric testing as well?
If your workers frequently use hearing protection to manage noise above 85 dB(A), NSW law (Clause 58 of the WHS Regulation 2017, effective 1 January 2024) requires you to provide audiometric testing — within 3 months of employment for new workers, and at least every 2 years thereafter. A workplace noise assessment is the foundation: it confirms who needs it and documents your duty of care.
What’s the difference between workplace noise testing and indoor noise testing?
Workplace noise testing (this page) measures personal noise exposure against WHS hearing-safety standards (LAeq,8h 85 dB(A)) for workers around machinery or plant. Indoor noise testing measures background acoustic comfort — the kind of noise that affects concentration in an office, not hearing — against AS/NZS 2107. Many sites need only one; some need both. See our Indoor Noise Testing page for the acoustic comfort assessment.