Reflecting on today's challenges and opportunities, it’s clear that standards are essential in our daily lives. They ensure product safety, infrastructure sustainability, and our trust in new and emerging technologies. Standards play a vital role in shaping the world around us.

As we face a complex international environment and an upcoming federal election, many of us are considering the future and the kind of country we want to live in, and hand in hand with that, how to navigate global trade, climate resilience, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and economic stability.

Regardless of political outcomes globally and locally, one thing remains an absolute constant: well-developed standards will provide a foundation for progress, enabling efficient business operations, safe infrastructure, and seamless technology integration.

We will consider these items in March as we welcome our new CEO and finalise the agenda for our strategy and planning day.

Neglecting standards jeopardises our future and creates uncertainty. Your board is committed to developing standards with you and for you, ensuring a better future for all and the industries and governments that you serve. Together we will help build a better future for all.

For over three decades, we have celebrated the remarkable contributions of individuals, organisations, and committees in standards development across various industries.

Help us recognise those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to enhancing standards for the benefit of the Australian community.

This year, two new categories have been included to acknowledge Nominating Organisations and corporate commitment to standards.

Check out all categories and submit your entries. Nominations close 27 March.

At Standards Australia, we're dedicated to making standards accessible to everyone. Our Reader Room catalogue is periodically updated to provide no-fee, non-commercial access to Australian Standards™ for personal, domestic, or household use.

In our latest update from November 2024, we've added and updated over 1,200 publications. These new additions cover a wide range of topics relevant to everyday life, including fire alarm monitoring, EV chargers, PVC pipes and fittings, occupational protective helmets, advocacy in Ageing and Disability, and child restraint systems in motor vehicles.

Plus, you can find standards for sunglasses to protect your eyes, children’s nightwear with reduced fire hazard, domestic outdoor gas barbecues for safe grilling, bunk beds for sturdy and safe sleeping, babies' dummies for comfort and safety, and much more.

Explore nearly 4,000standards in our Reader Room.

Online: Preparing for Australia’s new respiratory protection standards

Australia has adopted and will transition to 30 international standards for respiratory protective equipment, replacing AS/NZS 1715:2009 and AS/NZS 1716:2012. This webinar will cover what the transition means, the adoption timeline, and how workplaces will be affected.

🗣️Guest speaker: Mark Reggers & Dr Jane Whitelaw

📅 Wednesday, 26 March 2025

⏰ 1 PM - 2 PM AEDT

Register now

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Exciting opportunity for infrastructure professionals in the Asia-Pacific! We’re launching the Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Standards Fellowship – a two-week program that will empower participants with the knowledge and skills to implement international standards in infrastructure projects.

- Group 1: Participants from Southeast Asia (28 April to 09 May)

- Group 2: Participants from Pacific and Timor-Leste (26 May to 6 June)

📅 Apply now to join a network of like-minded professionals and contribute to the region's sustainable development: Standards Australia launches Fellowship to elevate infrastructure quality in Asia-Pacific - Standards Australia

Successful applicants will receive flights, accommodation, and a travel allowance.

This program will be delivered in Sydney and is a partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Giant tunnel slides are a big hit in Australian playgrounds, offering a unique play experience. However, accidents happen more often than we’d like. Incidents have highlighted the need for better safety measures. In response, we’released new guidelines to help councils, builders, and parents ensure safe play.

Key points:

✅ Guidance on design, verification, certification, testing, and inspection.

🪧 Updated signage recommendations, including height guidelines and no tandem riding.

🛝 Balancing fun with safety to prevent serious injuries.

Learn more about the handbook here.

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Cyber security attacks are a growing threat, with a new incident reported every six minutes in Australia. Ransomware alone results in up to $3 billion in annual damages to the Australian economy. We have just released a new position paper outlining key cyber security standards and recommendations to enhance our national cyber posture.

This report highlights:

🔒Key cyber security standards and frameworks

🌏How standards support Australian cyber security priorities

🛡️Standards-related recommendations to boost cyber security across the nation

Discover how these recommendations can help contribute to a resilient and cyber secure nation. Read the full paper.

Australia has adopted a world-first international standard which aims to help organisations protect people, infrastructure, and information. AS ISO 22340 covers five key security domains - governance, personnel, information, cyber, and physical security emphasizing that:

👥 Everyone is responsible for security

🏢 Security helps businesses run smoothly

⚠️ Security is based on managing risks

🔝 Top leaders are accountable for security

🛡️ Security is part of all activities

📈 Security is always improving

Discover how AS ISO 22340 can enhance your organisation's security.

Now more than ever, batteries are central to the growing EV and micromobility sector, including e-scooters and e-bikes. As lithium-ion batteries and EVs become more common in our homes and on the streets, safety is a paramount.

To help protect people from potential risks, we're developing new safety guidelines to prevent battery-related fires and promote safe everyday use. More details here: Charging forward safely: Australia’s EV and micromobility sector - Standards Australia

Learn more about our international initiatives and how to get involved.

Check out the latest standards development news in your industry sector.

Help us keep Australians safe! Our public comment phase provides an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to make valuable contributions.

Draft standards open for comment.