About National Safe Work Month

National Safe Work Month, held annually in October, encourages workplaces around Australia to prioritise WHS and take action to reduce the number of work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Throughout the campaign we also demonstrate how safe and healthy work benefits workers and employers, their families and the broader community. 

Our latest data shows that in 2024, 188 workers in Australia were fatally injured at work. There were also 146,700 serious workers’ compensation claims in 2023-24p – more than 400 serious claims a day across Australia.

While injury and fatality rates have fallen over the last decade, the people and the stories behind these numbers remind us not to be complacent.  No job should be unsafe, and no workplace death or injury is acceptable. 

Work should never cost someone their life, their health, or their ability to live fully outside of work. Every worker deserves to return home safely, and every workplace can make a meaningful difference through genuine consultation, proactive risk management, and sustained long-term commitment. That’s why each year, in October, we recognise National Safe Work Month to raise awareness of WHS and take action to achieve our vision of safe and healthy work for all.

The 2026 theme is Safe work is for life.

This theme reflects the fundamental purpose of work health and safety: to protect workers’ lives, health and future. It recognises that WHS is about more than preventing harm in the moment. It’s about designing safe and healthy work that prevents injury, illness and long-term harm that can affect every part of life – at work, at home, and well into the future.

Throughout October, the campaign will explore 4 weekly focus areas:

• For life – why WHS matters 
• For health – what WHS protects 
• For the future – the long-term impact 
• For all – action across all workplaces 

Together, these weekly focus areas will help workplaces explore why WHS matters, what it protects, and the practical action needed to support safe and healthy work.

National Safe Work Month is all about raising awareness of WHS and why it matters. Whether you’re a seasoned safety champion or feeling unsure about duties, legal responsibilities and managing risks, National Safe Work Month is a great opportunity to discuss, review and commit to safety for life. 

We’ll be updating our website with more information and resources to help you participate in National Safe Work Month, so be sure to subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media for all the latest news. 

Safe Work Australia is a national policy body representing the interests of the Commonwealth, states and territories, as well as workers and employers. We develop national policy to improve WHS and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.

As a national policy body, we don’t regulate WHS laws or administer workers’ compensation arrangements. The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce WHS laws and administer workers’ compensation schemes in their jurisdictions.

Learn more about Safe Work Australia on our About us page.