Workwear and PPE by Trade: What Every Australian Worker Needs
Written and reviewed by the Max Global Products team · Updated October 2026
Quick answer: almost every Australian trade starts from the same base kit: AS 2210.3 safety footwear, AS/NZS 1337.1 eye protection, AS/NZS 1270 hearing protection, the right gloves, AS/NZS 4602.1 hi-vis on sites and near vehicles, and sun protection outdoors. What changes between trades is the specialist layer on top, such as arc-rated clothing for electricians, harnesses for scaffolders, silica respirators for bricklayers and freezer gear for cold stores. Find your trade below.
Find the guide for your trade
| Trade | The specialist kit that matters most |
|---|---|
| Electricians | Arc-rated FR clothing, Class 00 and 0 insulating gloves, EH-rated boots |
| Construction workers and labourers | Hi-vis, hard hat, safety boots, P2 masks, hearing protection |
| Carpenters | Knee pad and holster pants, impact glasses, wood dust protection |
| Plumbers and gasfitters | Waterproof boots and gumboots, sewage-rated gloves, goggles |
| Welders and fabricators | Welding helmet, MIG/TIG gloves, FR jacket and apron, fume respirator |
| Scaffolders and riggers | Full body harness, double lanyard with scaffold hooks, tool lanyards |
| Bricklayers | Silica respirator, cement-safe gloves, knee protection |
| Concreters | Safety gumboots, long PVC gloves against cement burns, goggles |
| Tilers | Knee pad pants and gel pads, silica protection, cut-resistant gloves |
| Plasterers and renderers | P2 sanding masks, overhead goggles, knee pads |
| Roofers | Roofer's harness kit, grippy soft soles, polarised glasses, sun gear |
| Painters and decorators | Organic vapour respirators, disposable coveralls, lead paint precautions |
| HVAC and refrigeration technicians | Roof-space P2 masks, refrigerant gloves and goggles, heat stress gear |
| Demolition and asbestos removal | P2/P3 respirators, Type 5/6 coveralls, laceless gumboots |
| Landscapers and gardeners | UPF50+ clothing, earmuffs for mowers and blowers, P2 for potting mix |
| Arborists and chainsaw users | Chainsaw chaps or trousers, forestry helmet kit, chainsaw gloves |
| Farmers and ag workers | Elastic-side boots and gumboots, spraying PPE, sun protection |
| Mining and FIFO workers | Long sleeve D/N taped hi-vis, lamp-bracket hard hats, FR where required |
| Traffic controllers | Class D/N long sleeve hi-vis, taped rain gear, stop/slow bat |
| Warehouse and logistics workers | Safety runners, hi-vis vests, cut-resistant gloves, bump caps |
| Truck drivers | Elastic-side boots, hi-vis for depots, load restraint gloves |
| Mechanics | Cotton overalls, disposable nitrile and impact gloves, hand care |
| Cold store and food processing | Freezer clothing, insulated composite boots, food-grade cut gloves |
| Chefs and kitchen staff | Chef jackets and pants, slip-resistant clogs, cut-resistant gloves |
| Nurses and healthcare workers | Stretch antibacterial scrubs, medical-grade nitrile gloves |
| Cleaners | Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, slip-resistant shoes |
The base kit for any trade
- Safety footwear (AS 2210.3): toecap, slip resistance and the right closure for your day. See our safety boot buying guide or shop safety boots.
- Eye protection (AS/NZS 1337.1): impact-rated glasses as a minimum. Shop safety eyewear.
- Hearing protection (AS/NZS 1270): for anything above 85 dB(A) averaged over a shift. Shop hearing protection.
- Gloves: matched to the hazard: cut, impact, chemical, heat or electrical. Shop safety gloves.
- Hi-vis (AS/NZS 4602.1): Class D by day, N at night, D/N for both. See our hi-vis compliance guide.
- Sun protection: long sleeves, a brim and SPF 50+ for any outdoor work. Shop sun protection.
Compliance, comfort and performance
Compliance comes first: the product must carry the Australian or joint standard your site requires, and your employer's risk assessment decides which items are mandatory. Under WHS law the employer must provide required PPE. Our guide on how to determine workplace PPE requirements walks through the method, and Safe Work Australia's PPE guidance sets out the duties.
Comfort decides whether PPE actually gets worn: lightweight fabrics, vented designs, stretch panels, the right size, and women's fits rather than small men's sizes.
Performance is about the conditions you work in: heat, cold, wet, dust, chemicals or electrical energy. Each trade guide covers what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
What PPE does every worker need in Australia?
There is no single list. PPE depends on the hazards identified in a risk assessment. Safety footwear, eye protection and hi-vis are the most common baseline on worksites, with hearing, respiratory, hand and fall protection added for specific tasks.
Who has to provide PPE?
The employer, as the person conducting the business or undertaking, must provide PPE required for the work. Self-employed tradespeople and subcontractors supply their own.
What do the AS/NZS numbers on PPE mean?
They are the Australian and New Zealand standards the product is tested to, for example AS 2210.3 for safety footwear and AS/NZS 4602.1 for hi-vis clothing. Check the label or product page for the standard your site requires.
Outfitting a team
Kitting out a crew across several trades? Apply for a trade account.
Last reviewed October 2026. These guides cover common kit; your employer's risk assessment and site rules decide what is mandatory.