The first major step towards national work safety laws has been passed by federal parliament's lower house.
Federal Regional Development Minister Simon Crean said the "landmark" measure applied to the Commonwealth while bringing Australia closer to a nationally-harmonised work health and safety system.
Mr Crean said the change followed long discussions and compromises agreed by the states and territories, business groups and the ACTU.
Because of the risk of upsetting the agreement, which includes complementary legislation being adopted in the states and territories, the government successfully opposed opposition and Australian Greens amendments to the bill.
Although forcing divisions on their amendments, the coalition didn't vote against the measure as a whole.
The federal legislation covers businesses and undertakings conducted by the Commonwealth, public authorities and non-Commonwealth licensees.
It expands the definition of worker to include contractors and their employees, sub-contractors, labour hire workers, outworkers, apprentices and volunteers.
Members of the Australian Defence Force also are considered workers.
Mr Crean said it would provide Australian workers the same protections wherever they lived or worked.
Access Economics had estimated cuts to red tape would save businesses operating across borders $179 million a year.
The Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 now goes to the Senate. After passage there, model regulations and codes of practice will be finalised.
