Workwear standards got an upgrade recently, meaning your Hi-Vis clothing might be falling behind the times. With 2024's changes to AS 4602.1, the entire system behind Hi-Vis workwear has been overhauled, and there's a chance your tried-and-true gear might be less true than you think it is.

 

The Changes:

AS 4602.1:2024 is an update that supersedes the prior AS 4602.1:2011 (plus Amd 1:2016), which previously only outlined classes like Day, Night and Day/Night for workwear. 2024 has expanded these simple classes into a broader and more comprehensive system that further separates visibility into Levels based on the risk-level of an environment, and additionally outlines the difference between Torso and Ensemble standards, finally standardising the Hi-Vis requirements for trousers and coverall bottoms. You can see these most clearly with these tables provided by Bisley, which offer a fantastic breakdown of the designs, classifications, and standards as of 2024. 

In practice, this means that most gear that met AS 4602.1:2011 will be adequate for at least Level 1 of the same class (D, N, D/N), but most manufacturers will have updated information on compliance on their websites for relevant items. Additionally, while the information in this article should be up to date as of April 20th, 2026, always consult with industry guidelines/regulations and your Workplace Health and Safety team before acting on anything in this article (or others!).

 

Levels 1, 2 and 3:

AS 4602.1:2024 introduced the three visibility levels, which separate workwear based on the risk level of their intended environment. These are Level 1 for Low-risk, Level 2 for Medium-risk, and Level 3 for High-risk environments. 

Level 1 (Low)

  • Industries/Applications
    • Warehousing
    • Grounds Maintenance (gardening, grass cutting, outdoor maintenance)
    • Retail or Service
  • Garment Characteristics
    • Minimal reflective and/or fluorescent materials
    • Provides visibility from a distance of up to 100m

Level 2 (Medium)

  • Industries/Applications
    • Construction (in low-traffic sites, such as urban or rural areas)
    • Logistics and Distribution (truck unloading, movement in areas with moderate-speed vehicles) 
    • Transport and Delivery (short-range deliveries or low-hazard roadway transport) 
  • Garment Characteristics
    • More reflective and/or fluorescent materials than Level 1
    • Provides visibility from a distance of up to 150m

Level 3 (High)

  • Industries/Applications
    • Roadwork and Traffic Management (road maintenance, highway construction)
    • Emergency Services and Public Safety (police, fire, ambulances, emergency responders) 
    • Mining and Heavy Industry (sites with large equipment and high-speed vehicles)
    • Airport Ground Crew (runway workers, high-traffic areas)
  • Garment Characteristics
    • Extensive reflective and/or fluorescent materials
    • Provides visibility from a distance of 200m or higher

 

Class D:

Class D (Day) is the simplest class, and has no levels. It consists of: Vests, shirts and coveralls (torso only), and outer wear made using Hi-Vis material. Standard Hi-Vis yellow and orange fall into this category. Example

Class N:

Class N (Night) is a class only intended for use at night, and does not provide Hi-Vis protection during daylight hours. It utilises retroreflective materials (reflective tape) but does not require fluorescent colouration on the garments. 

Level 1 consists of vests, shirts, coveralls (torso only), and outer wear (Non Hi-Vis) that incorporate reflective tape in the provided tape configurations - such as this example.

Level 2 is shirts, coveralls (torso only), and outer wear (Non Hi-Vis) that incorporate reflective tape in the provided tape configurations. Level 2's requires the addition of one hoop of reflective tape on each arm with the addition of over the shoulder configuration.

For a Level 2 Ensemble, Coveralls (below waist) and trousers will be made using contrast material, with one hoop of reflective tape on each leg positioned above or below the knee. Coverall upper shall meet the requirements of Class N Level 2. Trousers shall be worn with a Class N Level 2 torso garment to complete the ensemble.

Level 3 is made of shirts, coveralls (torso only), and outer wear (Non Hi-Vis) meeting the design requirements of Class N Level 2, with the addition of extra hoop of reflective tape on arms - two hoops on each arm in a biomotion design.

For a Level 3 Ensemble, Coveralls (below waist) and trousers will be made using contrast material, with two hoops of reflective tape on each leg positioned above and below the knee. Coverall upper shall meet the requirements of Class N Level 3. Trousers shall be worn with a Class N Level 3 torso garment to complete the ensemble.

Class D/N:

Class D/N (Day or Night use) combines the standards of D and N, utilising both retroreflective materials and fluorescent materials. 

Level 1 is made up of vests, shirts and coveralls (torso only), and outer wear made using Hi-Vis material and the addition of reflective tape. Level 1 requires Hi-Vis colours and one hoop of reflective tape on each arm with no tape over the shoulder, like in this example.

Level 2 consists of shirts, coveralls (torso only), and outer wear made using Hi-Vis material with approved reflective tape configurations. Garment must have the addition of one reflective hoop tape on each arm. Level 2 specifies one hoop of reflective tape on each arm with tape over the shoulder.

For a Level 2 Ensemble, Coveralls (below waist) and trousers will be made using Hi-Vis material, with one hoop of reflective tape on each leg positioned above or below the knee. Coverall upper shall meet the requirements of Class D/N Level 2. Trousers shall be worn with a Class D/N Level 2 torso garment to complete the ensemble.

Level 3 has shirts, coveralls (torso only), and outer wear made using Hi-Vis material meeting the design requirements of Class N Level 2, with the addition of an extra hoop of reflective tape on arms for two hoops on each arm in a biomotion design.

For a Level 3 Ensemble, Coveralls (below waist) and trousers will be made using Hi-Vis material with two hoops of reflective tape on each leg positioned above and below the knee. Coverall upper shall meet the requirements of Class D/N-E Level 3. Trousers shall be worn with a Class D/N Level 3 torso garment to complete the ensemble.

 

Once more, be sure to check out Bisley's flyer about the standards or view them on Standards Australia.