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.
The following guidelines are in force in Tasmania.
- Guidelines for Notifying 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- Guidelines for Notifying 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (accessible)
- Guidelines for Notifying Diseases and Food Contaminants
- Laboratory Guidelines for Notifiable Water Contaminants
- Guidelines for the Sale of Smoking Products - November 2017
- Guidelines for the Sale of Smoking Products - November 2017 (accessible)
- Guidelines for Places of Assembly
- 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 Acupuncture (Apr 1998)
- Guidelines for Ear and Body Piercing (Apr 1998)
- Guidelines for Paint (Sep 2000)
- Guidelines for Tattooing (Apr 1998)
Guidelines for Notifying Diseases and Food Contamination fact sheets
Food
Notifiable Diseases
- Diseases Notifiable by Path Laboratories
- Diseases Notifiable by Medical Practitioners
- Guide to Gastroenteritis Outbreaks for Institutions
- Guide for path laboratories on changes to the Guidelines for Notifying Diseases and Food Contamination
Changes to the Public Health Act
Public Health Amendment (Healthy Tasmania) Act 2017
In 2017, State Parliament passed an Act to make changes to the Public Health Act 1997.
The changes, which began on 29 November 2017, introduce new laws to regulate personal vaporiser products (e-cigarettes), increase penalties for supplying tobacco products or personal vaporiser products to a child, introduce ‘fit and proper’ checks for licence applicants, and include reporting requirements for licence holders.
As a result, guidelines relating to the sale of tobacco products were revoked and replaced with guidelines for the sale of both tobacco products and personal vaporiser products. The new guidelines appear above.
Fact sheets on the new laws and an updated retailer guide can be found on our tobacco control laws page
Public Health (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2015
In 2015, State Parliament passed an Act to amend the Public Health Act 1997, make minor amendments to the Corrections Act 1997 and to repeal the HIV/AIDS Preventive Measures Act 1993.
The changes began on 1 July 2015 and relate to public health emergencies, notifiable diseases and contaminants management, smoke-free areas, safe drinking water management, the Cervical Screening Register and the Needle and Syringe Program.
The following fact sheets relate to the changes:
For more information call the Public Health Hotline - Tasmania on 1800 671 738.