Hi-Vis Safety Vests & Rain Suits

Hi-vis safety vests & rain suits

The most mandated piece of PPE on Australian worksites — if you can see a vehicle from where you're standing, you need hi-vis. AS/NZS 4602.1 defines exactly what counts: fluorescent background colour, minimum retro-reflective tape area, and tape placement that makes a worker's body shape recognisable at distance in low light. Anything less is a reflective garment, not compliant hi-vis.

Vest, jacket, or rain suit

• Hi-vis vest — the minimum. Lightweight, wears over existing clothes, zero restriction. For low-intensity work or where full-body hi-vis isn't required.
• Hi-vis shirt / long sleeve — primary garment with reflective tape at torso and sleeves. Used as the uniform rather than a top-layer addition.
• Hi-vis jacket — insulated or lined outer garment for cold and wet work. Usually Class D/N rated with reinforced tape.
• Hi-vis rain suit — fully waterproof jacket + trousers. Critical for outdoor work in rain, where a wet standard hi-vis loses much of its visibility.

Day, night, and D/N classifications

Under AS/NZS 4602.1:

• Class D — fluorescent background only, daytime use. Typically fluoro yellow-green or fluoro orange.
• Class N — retro-reflective tape only. Rare — usually combined into D/N.
• Class D/N — fluorescent fabric plus retro-reflective tape in specified torso and sleeve positions. The default spec.

For road works, traffic management, night work, underground, and most big-builder programs, D/N is mandatory. D-only garments are acceptable only where the site has a strict daytime-only operating window.

Colour conventions

Fluoro yellow-green is the dominant colour for general construction. Fluoro orange is common in rail, aviation, and specific state road-authority specs. Pink and red are less common but appear in some mining and event programs. Always confirm site-specific colour requirements before ordering.

Rain-suit specification

Hi-vis rain gear must maintain AS/NZS 4602.1 compliance when wet — look for welded-seam PU-coated polyester or PVC, reflective tape rated for wet-weather durability, and ventilation features (underarm vents, mesh lining) to manage condensation. Cheaper PVC rain suits without proper ventilation quickly become unwearable for anything beyond brief wet-weather work.

Standards & compliance

All hi-vis garments in this range are certified to AS/NZS 4602.1. Day/Night classification is marked on the garment tag. Check for the AS/NZS mark; avoid "high visibility" garments without certification, as they typically fail minimum fluorescence or retro-reflectivity specs.

Frequently asked questions

Can a vest worn over my own shirt count as compliant hi-vis?

Yes — a certified AS/NZS 4602.1 vest covering the torso provides compliant hi-vis, regardless of the garment worn underneath. The vest must be visible (not zipped inside a jacket).

How do I know when hi-vis is past its service life?

Check reflective tape luminance before every shift. If the tape shows visible damage, tears, delamination, or fading below the original reflective intensity, retire the garment. Most hi-vis gets 40–60 industrial washes before tape degrades.

Can hi-vis be laundered at home?

Domestic laundering is acceptable provided it follows the care label — cold/warm wash, no bleach, no fabric softener on the tape area. Industrial laundering services (specifically formulated for hi-vis) extend garment life and are usually worth the cost for larger workforces.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts get 5% off RRP, and workforce uniform programs qualify for bulk pricing and embroidered logo options. Apply for a trade account →