Updated: September 2026
Australia is heading towards the warmer months with El Niño conditions underway. For businesses operating warehouses, factories, workshops and other industrial spaces, now is the time to review workplace cooling and ventilation—before the hottest days arrive.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate cycle in the tropical Pacific Ocean that can influence weather in Australia and around the world.
According to the Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology, El Niño is currently underway. El Niño events have often been associated with:
- Higher daytime temperatures across parts of Australia
- Drier conditions, particularly across parts of eastern and southern Australia during winter and spring
- An increased risk of hot days and heatwaves
However, every El Niño event is different. The Bureau explains that Australia’s weather is also affected by other climate drivers, regional ocean temperatures and short-term weather systems.
El Niño can increase the likelihood of warmer or drier conditions, but it does not guarantee the same conditions in every location.
For the latest information for your area, always check the Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecasts.
What is the current outlook?
As at September 2026, the Bureau reports that a strong El Niño is underway and is likely to continue through spring and summer.
The current outlook indicates that most of Australia is likely to experience above-average temperatures over the coming months. Rainfall conditions are expected to vary between regions, reinforcing the importance of checking current local forecasts rather than relying on El Niño alone.
Although no seasonal forecast can predict every hot day or heatwave, the outlook gives Australian businesses a good reason to prepare early.
Why workplace heat preparation matters
Heat can build up quickly in warehouses, factories and workshops—particularly in buildings with limited airflow, direct sun exposure, heat-producing machinery or poorly ventilated work areas.
Safe Work Australia advises that working in heat can contribute to dehydration, heat-related illness and reduced concentration. In severe cases, heat stroke can be fatal.
Heat may also increase the likelihood of mistakes and workplace incidents when workers become tired or lose concentration.
Businesses have a responsibility to identify heat-related hazards and eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
SafeWork NSW recommends considering factors such as:
- Air temperature
- Humidity
- Air movement
- Radiant heat
- The type of work being performed
- Clothing and personal protective equipment being worn
Is your workplace summer ready?
Preparing early gives you time to assess your workplace properly and put suitable controls in place before equipment demand rises and the hottest weather arrives.
Consider the following:
- Are there areas where hot air becomes trapped?
- Is there enough fresh air and air movement throughout the workplace?
- Can hot air be extracted from roof spaces or heat-producing work areas?
- Are existing fans, coolers and ventilation systems operating effectively?
- Has cooling equipment been cleaned, serviced and tested?
- Do workers have access to cool drinking water and suitable rest areas?
- Is there a workplace heat management plan for very hot days?
SafeWork NSW identifies engineering controls such as air conditioning, mechanical exhaust ventilation, evaporative cooling and fans as options that may help manage workplace heat.
The most suitable solution will depend on the building, local climate, work processes and the people using the space.
Cooling equipment should form part of a broader heat-risk management plan. Businesses should assess their individual risks and consult workers and qualified workplace health and safety professionals where required.
Don’t wait for the first heatwave
The first extremely hot day is not the best time to discover that your workplace cooling is inadequate or your existing equipment needs maintenance.
Reviewing your workplace now allows time to identify problem areas, select the right solution and have equipment ready before summer demand peaks.
Fanmaster provides industrial and commercial cooling and ventilation solutions for factories, warehouses, workshops and other workplaces across Australia.
“She’ll be right” isn’t a cooling plan. Talk to the Fanmaster team about getting your workplace summer ready.
Australian Government information and further reading
- Bureau of Meteorology – El Niño: What It Means for Australia’s Climate
- Bureau of Meteorology – El Niño Strength Doesn’t Always Match Its Impact on Australia
- Bureau of Meteorology – Long-Range Forecasts
- Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risks of Working in Heat
- SafeWork NSW – Managing Extreme Heat at Your Workplace
This article provides general information only. Weather outlooks can change, so refer to the Bureau of Meteorology for current forecasts. Workplace heat risks and controls should be assessed for each individual workplace.