Public Health Act and associated guidelines

Compulsory Guidelines

The Director of Public Health may issue compulsory Guidelines for any matter under the Public Health Act 1997.  It is an offence under the Act not to follow the requirements in the Guidelines. You can download the following Guidelines that are in enforceable in Tasmania:

• Guidelines for Notifying Diseases and Food Contaminants
• Laboratory Guidelines for Notifiable Water Contaminants
• Guidelines for the Sale of Smoking Products - November 2017
• Tasmanian Drinking Water Guidelines 2015
• Recreational Water Quality Guidelines (2007)
• Guidelines for the Operation of Solaria in Tasmania (December 2014)
• Guidelines for Legionella (Apr 2012)
• Guidelines for Ear and Body Piercing (Apr 1998)
• Guidelines for Paint (Sep 2000)
• Guidelines for Tattooing (Apr 1998)
• Guidelines for the sale of Personal Vaporiser Products

Notifying Diseases and Food Contamination fact sheets

You can download the following food notifiable diseases fact sheets:

• Notifying Contaminants in Food
• Diseases Notifiable by Path Laboratories
• Diseases Notifiable by Medical Practitioners
• Guide to Gastroenteritis Outbreaks for Institutions
• Guide for Path Laboratories on changes on Notifiable Diseases in Tasmania

Unhealthy premises

The Public Health Act 1997 provides for the assessment of premises used for human habitation that may be defective.  This applies to buildings that are or are likely to become offensive, result in injury or be harmful to health.

Guide to Assessing Unhealthy Premises will help you understand the role of Environmental Health Officers and local government in assessing premises that may be considered unhealthy and the actions that they may take.

The Guide for the Management of Clandestine Drug Laboratories details the process for identifying and managing the public health risks associated with clan labs.

Guide for the Management of Clandestine Drug Laboratories

Where to get more information

For more information about the Public Health Act and associated Guidelines, contact the Public Health Hotline.

• Phone: 1800 671 738