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Safe Work Australia

Safe Work Australia is an Australian government statutory body established in 2008 to develop national policy relating to work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation.

As a national policy body, Safe Work Australia does not regulate WHS laws. The Commonwealth, states and territories retain responsibility for regulating and enforcing WHS laws in their jurisdictions.

Vision and mission

Healthier, safer and more productive workplaces through improvements to Australian work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements.

All workers regardless of their occupation or how they are engaged have the right to a healthy and safe working environment. Safe Work Australia (SWA) believes the effective design of work and work systems, and the systematic management of risks, will allow workers to lead productive working lives.

How Safe Work Australia can help

Safe Work Australia (SWA) is committed to developing policy aimed at reducing the incidence of work related death, injury and illness, and exposure to hazards and risks in the workplace.

SWA is an inclusive, tripartite body — working in partnership with governments, employers and employees — to drive national policy development on WHS and workers’ compensation matters. SWA works to:

  • develop and evaluate national policy and strategies
  • develop and evaluate the model WHS legislative framework
  • developing national education, communication strategies and initiatives
  • undertake research, and
  • collect, analyse and report data.

Recommended links

Last reviewed: April 2021

Information from this partner

Found 29 results

Asbestos | SafeWork NSW

Information on asbestos safety at work and home, how to dispose of it safely and key facts on asbestos.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Fatigue | SafeWork NSW

Fatigue makes you feel mentally and/or physically exhausted and reduces your ability to work safely and effectively.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Heat-related illness | SafeWork NSW

‘Heat-related illness’ is a term that describes a range of progressive heat-related conditions.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Japanese encephalitis | Safe Work Australia

This page provides persons conducting a business or undertaking with information on Japanese encephalitis and their duties under the model WHS laws.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Mental health | Safe Work Australia

Most jobs involve some psychosocial hazards. These are the hazards that can harm workers’ mental health.  Under the model WHS laws, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), such as an employer, must manage psychosocial risks (e.g. risks to mental health) at work.  

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Bushfire smoke impacts in the workplace | Safe Work Australia

Bushfire smoke can affect your health and your ability to work safely.  

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Workers’ compensation for psychological injuries | Safe Work Australia

Can injured workers get workers’ compensation for psychological injuries? Workers’ compensation is available for physical and psychological injury and disease. 

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Managing risks | Safe Work Australia

In agriculture, some risks come from manual tasks, using machinery and vehicles and working with animals. The risks are higher when working in remote areas. You must identify and manage risks to keep yourself and your workers safe.  

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Carcinogens | Safe Work Australia

A carcinogen is something that can cause cancer. 

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Clean Air. Clear Lungs. | Safe Work Australia

Work processes can release invisible dusts, gases, fumes, vapours, mists and microorganisms into the air.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

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