Since the mandate took effect on July 29, 2025, audiometric testing in Queensland is no longer just a “best practice” recommendation — it is a strict regulatory requirement for any business where workers are exposed to noise exceeding the exposure standard.
As we head toward 2026, many businesses are realizing they are already behind on their testing schedules. Here is what you need to know to ensure your hearing conservation program stays compliant.
The Queensland Mandate: Three Key Milestones
In Queensland, the “Exposure Standard” is defined as a 17.5% increase in the risk of hearing loss, typically triggered by an 8-hour equivalent noise level of 85 dB(A). If your workplace hits this threshold, you are legally required to provide audiometric testing at three distinct points:
| Milestone | Requirement | Timeline |
| Baseline Test | For all new workers starting in a noisy role. | Within 3 months of commencement. |
| Periodic Re-test | Ongoing monitoring to detect early hearing shifts. | At least every 2 years. |
| Ad-hoc Testing | Triggered by significant changes in noise exposure. | When new machinery or processes are introduced. |
The 3-Month Rule: This is where many PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) trip up. If you hire a worker in a high-noise environment, you cannot wait for your “annual company-wide test.” They must be baselined within their first 90 days.
Building a Compliant Hearing Conservation Program
Establishing a schedule is the first step, but a truly compliant program integrates monitoring with preventative action.
1. Conduct a Workplace Noise Assessment
The Foundation
Before testing ears, you must test the environment. Use a combination of Area Noise Surveys and Personal Noise Dosimetry to identify exactly which roles exceed the 85 dB(A) threshold.
2. Establish the Baseline
Within 3 Months
Provide audiometric testing for all eligible workers. This baseline is the only way to prove whether future hearing loss was caused by your workplace or existed prior to employment.
3. Perform Hearing Protection Fit Testing
The Preventative Bridge
Don’t just hand out earplugs. Conduct fit testing with a certified Occupational Hygienist to ensure the specific Hearing Protective Equipment (HPE) provided actually achieves the required noise reduction for that individual worker.
4. Monitor and Review
The 2-Year Cycle
Schedule follow-up audiometry every two years. If a “Standard Threshold Shift” (STS) is detected, you must review your noise controls and potentially move up the Hierarchy of Controls to reduce noise at the source.
Why Fit Testing is Now Essential
While audiometry tells you if damage has occurred, Hearing Protection Fit Testing tells you if it will occur. Because every ear canal is shaped differently, a standard foam earplug might provide 30dB of protection for one worker but only 5dB for another if not inserted correctly.
By integrating fit testing into your 2026 hygiene strategy, you move from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention, significantly reducing your liability and protecting your workforce’s long-term health.
