Under Section 298 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996, an officer of an industrial organisation of employees (ie union) may be authorised to enter a workplace to investigate breaches of legislation.

This would include OHS matters. Generally, at least 48 hours notice must be given to the employer but authorised officers have the power of entry, without prior notice, into premises officers believe is a place of work where union members (or potential members) work, in order to investigate suspected breaches of occupational health and safety legislation.