Respirator masks play a critical role in protecting people from airborne hazards — from dust and fumes to infectious particles. In Australia and New Zealand, that protection isn’t based on guesswork or product claims alone. It’s guided by formal standards designed to ensure respirators are selected, worn, and managed correctly in real-world settings.

One of the most frequently referenced of these standards is AS/NZS 1715. It’s common to see the term mentioned alongside respirator masks, yet many people assume it refers to product certification or filtration performance. In reality, AS/NZS 1715 serves a very different purpose.

What is AS/NZS 1715?

Developed and maintained by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, AS/NZS 1715 sets out how respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be selected, used, and managed in the workplace. Rather than focusing on how a respirator mask is made or tested, the standard addresses the systems and practices required to ensure respirators provide effective protection when they are actually worn.

In practical terms, AS/NZS 1715 acts as a framework for respiratory protection programs. It guides employers and safety managers on how to assess respiratory hazards, choose appropriate respirators, and ensure workers are properly trained and protected.

A key point of confusion is that AS/NZS 1715 is not a product certification standard. It does not test or certify respirator masks, and it does not measure filtration efficiency. Instead, it focuses on:

Correct selection of respirators based on the type and level of hazard
Fit testing to ensure tight-fitting respirators form an effective seal
Training and instruction so users know how to wear and check their respirators properly
Ongoing maintenance, storage, and replacement of respiratory equipment
Program oversight to ensure respirators continue to be used correctly over time

Because respiratory protection only works when all of these elements are in place, AS/NZS 1715 plays a critical role in reducing exposure risk — even when high-quality, certified respirators are already in use.

What AS/NZS 1715 covers

AS/NZS 1715 sits at the centre of Australia and New Zealand’s respiratory protection framework. While it is often referenced on its own, it is designed to work in conjunction with other key standards that collectively govern how respirator masks are selected, tested, fitted, and used.

To understand what AS/NZS 1715 covers in practice, it’s important to look at how it interacts with the related standards that form the full respiratory protection system.

AS/NZS 1715:2009 – Selection, Use & Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

AS/NZS 1715:2009 is the workplace practice standard. It focuses on how respirators are managed and used in real-world conditions, rather than how they are manufactured or tested.

This standard provides guidance on:

Selecting appropriate respiratory protection based on the type of airborne hazard, exposure level, and work environment
Ensuring respirators are compatible with the task and other PPE
Verifying that respirators fit the individual wearer, including guidance on seal checks and fit testing
Managing facial hair, which must not interfere with the sealing surface of tight-fitting respirators
Providing training and instruction so users understand correct use, limitations, and checks
Establishing procedures for inspection, cleaning, maintenance, storage, and replacement
Managing respiratory protection as part of a formal respiratory protection program, rather than as a one-off PPE issue

AS/NZS 1715:2009 reinforces that respirators should be used only after higher-order controls have been considered under WHS legislation. It ensures respiratory protection is applied consistently, correctly, and as part of a managed safety system.

AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023 – Fit Testing for Respiratory Protective Devices

AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023 is the newly adopted fit-testing standard and represents a significant update to the respiratory protection framework.

This standard provides detailed, internationally aligned guidance on:

Approved fit-testing methods, including qualitative and quantitative techniques
Competency requirements for fit test operators
Fit-testing procedures and protocols
Interpretation of fit-test results
Documentation and record-keeping requirements

AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023 formalises fit testing as a distinct and critical component of respiratory protection, ensuring that tight-fitting respirators can achieve an effective seal on the individual wearer’s face.

It replaces earlier fit-testing guidance that was previously embedded within AS/NZS 1715, aligning Australia and New Zealand with global ISO respiratory standards.

What’s changing? How the standards are evolving

With the adoption of AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023, the respiratory protection framework is transitioning — but existing standards remain current for now.

AS/NZS 1715:2009 and AS/NZS 1716:2012 remain in force
Fit testing is now formally governed by AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023
The older standards are expected to be phased out by 2029, allowing a five-year transition period

This transition gives businesses time to:

Update respiratory protection programs
Align fit-testing practices with the new ISO standard
Train staff and adjust procedures without disruption

During this period, workplaces are expected to continue complying with existing standards while progressively aligning with the updated framework.

What AS/NZS 1715 does not cover

While AS/NZS 1715 plays a central role in respiratory protection, it is often misunderstood. One of the most important things to understand about this standard is what it does not cover.

AS/NZS 1715 is designed to guide how respirators are used, not to act as a blanket guarantee of protection or a substitute for other standards.

It does not certify respirator products

AS/NZS 1715 does not test, approve, or certify respirator masks. It does not assess:

Filtration efficiency
Mask materials or construction
Valve performance
Product durability or shelf life

Respirator certification and performance testing are covered under AS/NZS 1716, not AS/NZS 1715.

It does not replace fit testing standards

While AS/NZS 1715 requires that respirators fit the wearer, it does not define how fit testing must be conducted in detail.

Fit-testing procedures, methods, tester competency, and record-keeping are now governed by AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023. AS/NZS 1715 relies on this standard rather than replacing it.

It does not guarantee protection on its own

Compliance with AS/NZS 1715 does not automatically mean a wearer is fully protected.

Protection can still be compromised if:

The wrong respirator type is selected
The respirator does not fit the individual wearer
Facial hair interferes with the seal
The respirator is worn incorrectly or inconsistently
Maintenance and replacement schedules are ignored

AS/NZS 1715 sets expectations for systems and processes — but effectiveness still depends on correct execution.

It does not override WHS risk management duties

AS/NZS 1715 does not remove or replace obligations under Work Health and Safety legislation.

Employers must still:

Apply the hierarchy of controls
Eliminate or minimise hazards where reasonably practicable
Use respirators as a last line of defence, not the primary control

The standard supports WHS duties — it does not supersede them.

It does not cover non-respiratory PPE

AS/NZS 1715 applies specifically to respiratory protective equipment. It does not govern:

Eye protection
Hearing protection
Gloves or protective clothing
Full PPE ensembles

Each of these is covered by separate standards and safety frameworks.

AS/NZS 1715 vs AS/NZS 1716: What’s the difference?

AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 are often mentioned together — and sometimes used interchangeably — but they serve very different purposes within the respiratory protection framework. Understanding the distinction is essential for anyone responsible for selecting, supplying, or using respirator masks.

AS/NZS 1715: Focuses on use and management

AS/NZS 1715 governs how respirators are selected, worn, and managed in the workplace. It is concerned with practice, not product.

In simple terms, AS/NZS 1715 answers questions such as:

Is the respirator suitable for the hazard?
Does it fit the individual wearer?
Has the user been trained to wear it correctly?
Is the respirator cleaned, stored, and maintained properly?
Is respiratory protection managed as part of a formal safety program?

This standard ensures that respirators are used correctly and consistently, recognising that even a high-quality respirator will fail if it is worn improperly or not managed correctly.

AS/NZS 1716: Focuses on product performance

AS/NZS 1716 governs how respirators are designed, tested, and certified before they reach the user.

This standard answers questions such as:

Does the respirator meet filtration efficiency requirements (e.g. P2)?
Has it been tested under controlled laboratory conditions?
Does it meet breathing resistance and durability standards?
Is it correctly labelled and classified?

If a respirator is certified to AS/NZS 1716, it means the product has passed independent performance testing and meets minimum safety requirements.

Why both standards are needed

Neither standard works effectively on its own.

A respirator certified to AS/NZS 1716 can still fail to protect if it does not fit the wearer or is worn incorrectly.
A workplace that follows AS/NZS 1715 but uses uncertified products cannot rely on unknown or untested performance.

Effective respiratory protection requires both:

Certified products (AS/NZS 1716), and
Correct selection, fit, and use (AS/NZS 1715).

Who needs to follow AS/NZS 1715

AS/NZS 1715 primarily applies to workplaces where respirator masks are used to control exposure to airborne hazards. While individuals may choose to follow its guidance voluntarily, the standard is most relevant for organisations that have formal Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations.

Employers and Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs)

Employers and PCBUs have a legal duty under WHS legislation to provide a safe working environment. Where respiratory hazards cannot be eliminated or sufficiently controlled, AS/NZS 1715 provides the framework for:

Selecting appropriate respiratory protection
Ensuring respirators fit individual workers
Training staff in correct use and limitations
Maintaining and managing respirators over time

Following AS/NZS 1715 helps employers demonstrate that respiratory protection is being managed systematically and responsibly, rather than on an ad-hoc basis.

WHS Managers, Safety Officers, and Supervisors

Those responsible for safety systems play a key role in implementing AS/NZS 1715 on the ground. This includes:

Developing and maintaining respiratory protection programs
Coordinating fit testing and training
Monitoring compliance and correct use
Identifying gaps or misuse before incidents occur

For safety teams, AS/NZS 1715 acts as a practical reference for aligning respiratory protection with regulatory expectations.

Industries where respiratory hazards are common

AS/NZS 1715 is particularly relevant in industries such as:

Construction and demolition
Manufacturing and industrial processing
Mining and quarrying
Healthcare and aged care
Emergency services and first responders
Cleaning, remediation, and hazardous materials handling

In these settings, respirators are often used regularly or for extended periods, making proper selection, fit, and management essential.

Contractors, labour hire, and multi-employer worksites

Where multiple employers or contractors operate on the same site, AS/NZS 1715 helps establish consistent expectations around respiratory protection. This reduces the risk of:

Incompatible equipment being used
Inconsistent training standards
Gaps in fit testing or maintenance responsibility

Clear alignment with AS/NZS 1715 supports safer coordination across different work groups.

Individuals using respirators outside of work

Individuals using respirators for personal tasks — such as DIY projects or bushfire smoke — are not legally required to comply with AS/NZS 1715. However, many of its principles (correct fit, proper use, and maintenance) still apply and can help improve protection.

How to look for a certified, proper respirator for work

Choosing a respirator for workplace use isn’t just about comfort or availability. To provide real protection — and meet WHS expectations — a respirator must be certified, suitable for the hazard, and appropriate for the user.

Here’s what to look for.

1. Check for AS/NZS 1716 certification

For particulate respirators (such as P2 masks), the first requirement is product certification.

A suitable workplace respirator should:

Be certified to AS/NZS 1716
Clearly state this on the packaging, product description, or datasheet
Identify the classification (e.g. P2)

If a respirator does not reference AS/NZS 1716 (or an accepted equivalent standard where applicable), it should not be relied upon for occupational respiratory protection.

2. Confirm the respirator is suitable for the hazard

Not all respirators protect against the same risks.

Before selecting a respirator, consider:

What airborne hazard is present (dust, fibres, fumes, biological aerosols)
Whether the hazard is particulate or gaseous
The concentration and duration of exposure
Whether additional protection (e.g. eye or face protection) is required

AS/NZS 1715 emphasises that respirators must be selected based on hazard assessment, not convenience.

3. Ensure the respirator can achieve a proper fit

For tight-fitting respirators, fit is critical.

A proper workplace respirator should:

Use head straps, not ear loops, for a secure seal
Be available in designs that suit different face shapes
Be compatible with fit testing requirements

A respirator that cannot form a reliable seal — even if certified — will not provide effective protection.

4. Consider facial hair and individual needs

Facial hair that interferes with the sealing surface will compromise tight-fitting respirators.

When selecting respirators, consider:

Whether users can comply with clean-shaven requirements
If not, whether alternative respiratory protection (such as loose-fitting powered respirators) is required
Comfort and wearability for extended use, which affects compliance

A “one-size-fits-all” approach rarely works in real workplaces.

5. Look for clear manufacturer information

Reputable respirators should be supported by clear documentation, including:

Certification details
Instructions for correct use and limitations
Storage and disposal guidance
Manufacturer or supplier traceability

Lack of clear information is a red flag in workplace settings.

Final takeaway

AS/NZS 1715 plays a critical role in respiratory protection, but it does not stand alone. It exists as part of a broader framework designed to ensure respirator masks are not only certified, but correctly selected, fitted, used, and maintained in real-world conditions.

Protection depends on multiple factors working together, including:

Using respirators that are certified to AS/NZS 1716
Ensuring they fit the individual wearer, supported by fit testing under AS/NZS ISO 16975.3
Managing respirators through proper training, maintenance, and oversight in line with AS/NZS 1715

As standards evolve and transition toward internationally aligned frameworks, workplaces are expected to adapt — not by replacing everything at once, but by understanding how each standard fits into their respiratory protection program.

For employers, safety managers, and workers alike, the takeaway is simple: respiratory protection works best when it is treated as a system. Knowing how the standards interact helps ensure respirator masks don’t just meet requirements on paper — they deliver protection where it matters most.

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February 11 2026, by Tatianna Gerard AS/NZS 1715: What This Standard Means for Respirator Masks