Adelaide, South Australia - Buildsafe, Australia's largest residential scaffold and height safety company, today engaged with its key construction sector partners at the highly anticipated HIA SA State of the Nation Luncheon, days before some of the biggest workplace safety changes in years go-live.
Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the event marks a pivotal moment for the South Australian construction sector as industry leaders gather to unpack the newly handed-down 2026–27 State Budget and plan for mounting operational challenges.
On 1st July 2026, the state's High Risk Construction Work fall threshold officially drops from three metres to two metres under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Amendment Regulations 2025.
The luncheon featured an exclusive keynote address from the South Australian Treasurer, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis MP, alongside a comprehensive economic market analysis from HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.
According to Buildsafe CEO, Mike Shipton, participating as a Corporate Partner is a strategic move to directly engage with the local building sector just days before South Australia undergoes its most significant workplace safety overhaul in years.
"The timing of this State of the Nation event couldn't be more critical," said Mr Shipton.
"The 1st July threshold change means single-storey residential builders are bracing for a major regulatory shake-up. Any trade working above two metres will now legally require a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) and compliant physical fall protection on site."
To support local volume and independent builders through this legislative transition, Buildsafe has aggressively expanded into the state, establishing a major new operational base at 1596 Boundary Road, Lewiston, SA 5501.
The expansion addresses a pressing economic and human need. Joint historical data from SafeWork SA and ReturnToWorkSA indicates that since 2016/17, construction falls have triggered 1,585 workers' compensation claims, racking up a bill exceeding $64 million. Alarmingly, 68 per cent of falls above two metres occurred specifically within the two- to three-metre range - the exact window previously exempted but now heavily policed under the new law.
According to Mr Shiption, as labour shortages persist, inflation continues to influence operations, and housing demand hits decade highs, Buildsafe is deploying its national capabilities to ensure South Australian builders maintain momentum without compromising safety or compliance.
"We don't just drop a scaffold on a dirt patch and drive away," Mr Shipton said.
Buildsafe's model is built on providing complete engineering sign-offs, full installation service, rigorous site monitoring via our BuildCam technology, and seamless compliance documentation. We're here to help the South Australian industry navigate these WHS changes smoothly so they can focus entirely on building homes."
With a national fleet of over 150 trucks and close to 600 specialist staff, Buildsafe stands ready to deliver everything from advanced perimeter handrails and fall-arrest systems to heavy-duty scaffolding rated up to 675 kg per bay.
South Australian builders and contractors seeking guidance on the upcoming two-metre threshold changes can connect with Buildsafe's local Adelaide team at buildsafe.net.au/services/sa/.
About Buildsafe
Buildsafe (Buildsafe Australia Pty Ltd) is Australia's largest supplier of residential scaffold and height safety solutions. Founded in 2001, the company operates nationally from its Gold Coast headquarters with branches across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Buildsafe provides scaffolding, edge protection, fall-arrest and fall-restraint systems, RCD electrical testing, and BuildCam site-monitoring technology to major residential and commercial builders. The company employs close to 600 staff and runs a fleet of 150 trucks.
