Last updated 19 October 2026.
Hi-vis garments sold in Australia are usually labelled Class D, Class N or Class D/N. These labels come from the Australian high visibility garment standard, and they tell you whether a garment is designed for day use, night use or both.
This guide explains what each class means in plain English, why night work needs retroreflective tape, and how logos fit in. It is general information only, not legal or safety advice. Your workplace, site, client or road and rail authority decides what you actually need to wear.
What standard covers hi-vis clothing in Australia?
High visibility safety garments for high-risk work are covered by AS 4602.1, published by Standards Australia. Many garments on the market are still labelled against the earlier joint edition, AS/NZS 4602.1:2011.
Standards Australia lists AS 4602.1:2024 as the current Australian edition, and the 2011 edition as superseded. Your site or client may specify a particular edition, so check which one they ask for before you order.
On Workwear Mart, each hi-vis product page lists the standard and class the manufacturer says the garment meets. For example, a product description might say the manufacturer states it meets AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 Class D/N. We pass on the manufacturer's information. We do not test or certify garments ourselves.
What does Class D mean?
Class D is for daytime use. A Class D garment relies on fluorescent background fabric, such as yellow or orange, to stand out in daylight.
Fluorescent fabric works by making colours appear brighter in daylight. It does not reflect headlights back to a driver in the dark, so a Class D garment on its own is not designed for night work.
What does Class N mean?
Class N is for night-time use. A Class N garment relies on retroreflective material, usually tape, which bounces light from headlights or torches back towards its source.
The background fabric of a Class N garment doesn't have to be fluorescent. That is why a Class N garment is not designed to give the same daytime visibility as a Class D garment.
What does Class D/N mean?
Class D/N is for day and night use. It combines fluorescent background fabric with retroreflective tape, so the garment is designed to be seen in daylight and under artificial light at night.
Many workers who start before sunrise, finish after dark or work near traffic or moving plant are asked to wear D/N garments. Again, the requirement comes from your workplace or site, not from the garment seller.
| Class | Designed for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| D | Daytime | Fluorescent background fabric |
| N | Night-time | Retroreflective tape or material |
| D/N | Day and night | Fluorescent fabric plus retroreflective tape |
Why does night work need retroreflective tape?
At night, fluorescent fabric has little daylight to work with. Retroreflective tape returns light from headlights or torches back towards the source, which is what makes a worker visible to a driver or plant operator in the dark.
Dawn, dusk, fog, tunnels and poorly lit areas can also reduce visibility. If your work happens in any of these conditions, ask your safety officer whether a night or day/night garment is required.
Tape only does its job if it can be seen. Keep it clean, don't cover it, and replace garments when the tape is damaged, faded or peeling. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions on the label.
Can I put my logo on a hi-vis garment?
Yes. Workwear Mart places logos on the fluorescent fabric, usually on the left chest and upper back, and never on the reflective tape. Your free digital proof shows the exact position before anything is made.
Keep in mind that any logo or print covers part of the fluorescent area. A small chest logo covers very little. A large back print covers more. If your site has rules about logo size or placement on hi-vis, check with your safety officer before you approve your proof.
For decoration, embroidery is $12 + GST front and $20 + GST back, plus a one-time $59 + GST setup per logo. DTF printing is $10 + GST front and $20 + GST back, with no setup. Both are decorated in Australia.
Who decides which hi-vis class my team needs?
The person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) decides, based on the risks of the work. Site rules, principal contractors, road authorities and rail operators often set specific requirements too.
Safe Work Australia explains that the PCBU provides personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers, and workers must use it as instructed. Work health and safety laws are enforced by the regulator in each state and territory, such as WorkSafe Victoria. Safe Work Australia keeps a list of WHS regulators if you need to find yours.
Before you order, it helps to ask your safety officer or site contact:
- Which class do we need: D, N or D/N?
- Which edition of the standard does the site or client specify?
- Is a particular tape pattern, colour or garment type required (for example, a rail pattern)?
- Are there rules on logo size or position?
How do I choose hi-vis garments on Workwear Mart?
Browse the hi-vis range and use the filters to narrow by garment type and standard. Then check the product page for the class and standard the manufacturer states the garment meets.
If you're kitting out a small crew, the hi-vis deals on the collection page include a logo front and back. At the time of writing, these include 5 hi-vis vests for $185 + GST and 5 hi-vis polos for $240 + GST. Check each deal's product page for the class of garment included.
The minimum order is 5 decorated items, and you can mix sizes and colours. You get a free digital proof within 24 hours, and nothing is made until you approve it. Production usually takes 2–4 weeks after approval. Delivery is a flat $24.90, usually 3–7 working days to metro areas and 5–10 working days to regional areas after despatch. These are estimates, not guarantees. More detail is on our FAQ page.
Common questions
Can I wear a Class D garment at night?
Class D garments rely on fluorescent fabric and are designed for daytime use. For night work, garments with retroreflective tape (Class N or D/N) are designed for those conditions. Your safety officer or site rules decide what is required.
Does Workwear Mart certify hi-vis garments?
No. Each product page shows the standard and class the manufacturer states the garment meets. We pass on that information but don't test or certify garments.
Will my logo go over the reflective tape?
No. We place logos on the fluorescent fabric only, and your proof shows the position before anything is produced.
Is AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 still current?
Standards Australia lists AS 4602.1:2024 as the current Australian edition and the 2011 edition as superseded. Many garments are still labelled against 2011, so check which edition your site or client specifies.
