,The Australian Department of Health, in collaboration with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), published health-based guidance values for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to support site investigations across Australia. These guidance values are expressed primarily as tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) and are designed to assess potential long-term human exposure to PFAS through food, drinking water, and recreational water. The guidance focuses on three key PFAS chemicals: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). FSANZ established TDIs for PFOS and PFOA based on laboratory animal toxicity studies, using conservative pharmacokinetic modelling to extrapolate human exposure, due to limitations in available epidemiological data. For PFHxS, insufficient data prevented the establishment of a separate TDI; however, as a precautionary approach, PFHxS exposure is combined with PFOS exposure and assessed against the PFOS TDI. Based on these TDIs, NHMRC derived health-based guideline values for drinking water and recreational water, ensuring protection of public health during site investigations. The guidance values are precautionary, protective, and intended to assist regulators and investigating agencies in evaluating human health risks and advising affected communities on minimising PFAS exposure. Recreational water guideline values are higher than drinking water limits, reflecting lower exposure frequency and volume. These values incorporate wide safety margins and are expected to remain well below levels associated with adverse health effects. The guidance was nationally and internationally peer reviewed and was last updated on 4 December 2025 to reflect ongoing regulatory oversight.
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