On this page:
SWA is an Australian government statutory body established in 2008 to develop national policy relating to WHS and workers’ compensation.
We are jointly funded by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments through an Intergovernmental Agreement. We perform our functions in accordance with our Corporate plan and Operational plan, which are agreed annually by Ministers for Work Health and Safety.
We are an inclusive, tripartite body—we work in partnership with governments, employers and employees—to drive national policy development on WHS and workers’ compensation matters. We work to:
- coordinate and develop national policy and strategies
- assist with the implementation of model WHS legislation and reform the legislative framework
- carry out and publish research
- collect, analyse and report data.
As a national policy body, we do not regulate WHS laws. The Commonwealth, states and territories retain responsibility for regulating and enforcing WHS laws in their jurisdictions.
Our members
We have the following members:
- an independent chair
- members representing the Commonwealth and each state and territory
- members representing the interests of workers
- members representing the interests of employers
- Chief Executive Officer.
Further information about Safe Work Australia Members can be found under Our people.
Intergovernmental Agreement
The Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety was agreed by COAG on 3 July 2008. This agreement formalises the cooperation between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to achieve harmonisation of work health and safety laws.
Functions
The key functions of Safe Work Australia as set out in the Safe Work Australia Act 2008 are to:
- develop national policy relating to OHS and workers’ compensation
- prepare a model Act and model regulations relating to OHS and, if necessary, revise them:
- for approval by WRMC, and
- for adoption as laws of the Commonwealth, each of the States and each of the Territories
- prepare model codes of practice relating to OHS and, if necessary, revise them:
- prepare other material relating to OHS and, if necessary, revise that material
- develop a policy, for approval by WRMC, dealing with the compliance and enforcement of the Australian laws that adopt the approved model OHS legislation, to ensure that a nationally consistent approach is taken to compliance and enforcement
- monitor the adoption by the Commonwealth, states and territories of:
- collect, analyse and publish data or other information relating to OHS and workers’ compensation in order to inform the development or evaluation of policies in relation to those matters
- conduct and publish research relating to OHS and workers’ compensation in order to inform the development or evaluation of policies in relation to those matters
- revise and further develop the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 released by WRMC on 24 May 2002, as amended from time to time
- develop and promote national strategies to raise awareness of OHS and workers’ compensation
- develop proposals relating to:
- harmonising workers’ compensation arrangements across the Commonwealth, states and territories, and
- workers’ compensation arrangements for employers with workers in more than one of those jurisdictions
- advise WRMC on matters relating to OHS or workers’ compensation
- liaise with other countries or international organisations on matters relating to OHS or workers’ compensation, and
- perform such other functions that are conferred on it by WRMC.
Establishment of Safe Work Australia
|
Organisation name and information |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Safe Work Australia |
1 November 2009—present |
|
Safe Work Australia |
July 2009—October 2009 |
|
Safe Work Australia On 1 April 2009 SWA was established as an independent, separately branded entity within DEEWR to support the work of the Safe Work Australia Council. SWA was co-funded by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and replaced the Office of the ASCC. |
April 2009—June 2009 |
|
Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations announced the Government would replace NOHSC with an administrative tripartite advisory body, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC). DEEWR was directly appropriated to support the functions previously delivered by NOHSC from February 2005. These functions were undertaken by the Office of the ASCC. The ASCC was established administratively in October 2005. On 1 January 2006 NOHSC was abolished and the Australian Workplace Safety Standards Act 2005 started providing the ASCC with the statutory function to declare National Standards and Codes of Practice for work health and safety. COAG signed the IGA in July 2008. The agreement provided for the establishment of a new national tripartite body with primary responsibility for driving national policy development for work health and safety and workers’ compensation including the development of model WHS laws. The Safe Work Australia Bill 2008 was introduced into the Australian Parliament on 4 September 2008. Following two attempts to have the legislation passed in the Senate, the Bill was laid aside on 4 December 2008. On 12 February 2009 the Ministerial Council agreed SWA would be established as an Executive Agency under the Public Service Act 1999. The establishment of SWA administratively was considered necessary to ensure the timetable for work health and safety harmonisation determined by COAG was not jeopardised. |
October 2005—March 2009 |
|
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) In October 1984 NOHSC was established administratively to lead and coordinate national efforts to prevent workplace death, injury and disease. In 1985 NOHSC was established as a statutory authority under the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Act 1985. It was a Commonwealth authority for the purposes of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. |
December 1985—December 2005 |