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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

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Safe Work Australia.

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

Bullying (a psychosocial hazard) | SafeWork NSW

Information on what is defined as workplace bullying, who to contact and how we can help.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Workplace bullying | SafeWork NSW

Workplace bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Biological hazards and diseases | SafeWork NSW

Workers can be exposed to biological hazards such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi at work. These hazards can cause illness and disease. Some workers are more at risk than others. Learn how to manage the risk of exposure to biological hazards in the workplace.

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 - Working in extreme heat | SafeWork NSW

Working in heat is a hazard that can result in severe health problems for many workers – whether they work indoors or outdoors.

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

Stretch at your desk | SafeWork NSW

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

Be Silica Smart. | 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

- Carcinogens | Safe Work Australia

A carcinogen is something that can cause cancer.

Read more on Safe Work Australia website

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Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.