Agree that if the employment agreement states that - however, wouldn't the agreement be invalid as it goes against the HSWA?? Cant contract out of the duty in this way.....

I disagree that PPE must be provided by the employer ( especially in the Outdoor industry) - clearly the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 provide provision for Outdoor workers to provide there own as long as the checks and balances are followed - they sign something to say they voluntarily choose to provide PPE ( often it is for comfort, personal preferences, integration with other kit etc, - the PCBU does appropriate checking that the gear if fit for purpose, good working condition, used according to manufacturers instructions etc.

16Worker may choose to provide personal protective equipment
(1)
A PCBU does not have to comply with regulation 15(2) if—
(a)
a worker genuinely and voluntarily chooses to provide his or her own personal protective equipment for reasons of his or her comfort or convenience; and
(b)
the PCBU is satisfied that the personal protective equipment provided by the worker is suitable in terms of regulation 17(1).
(2)
A worker who has chosen to provide his or her own personal protective equipment under subclause (1) may, after giving reasonable notice to the PCBU, choose that the PCBU provide personal protective equipment under regulation 15(2) instead of providing it himself or herself, and the PCBU must then provide the personal protective equipment to the worker.
(3)
This regulation does not apply to the Armed Forces.
(4)
A PCBU who contravenes subclause (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction,—
(a)
for an individual, to a fine not exceeding $10,000:
(b)
for any other person, to a fine not exceeding $50,000.