The following description is for classic and Systems Scaffolding.

All scaffolds are subject to certain minimum requirements set out in Australian Standards series AS/NZS 1576 and the Codes of Practice prepared in association with the individual State Departments representing Occupational Health and Safety.State Authorities have also regulated scaffolding through Design Registration.

This Standard specifies performance requirements and methods of structural and general design for access and working scaffolds. Requirements given are for scaffold structures that rely on the adjacent structures for stability.

In general these requirements also apply to other types of working scaffolds.

The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe place of work with safe access suitable for the work being done.

This documents sets out performance 
requirements for working scaffolds. These are substantially independent of the materials of which the scaffold is made. The standard is intended to be used as the basis for enquiry and design.

This Standard includes rules and references to other Standards for structural design, which are of particular relevance to scaffolds made of certain materials.