This paper analyses the complex nature of workers’ compensation coverage in Australia. The paper considers whether current workers’ compensation coverage arrangements in Australia remain fit for purpose, by using gig economy and agriculture industry case studies.

Sam Hamilton, Director Occupational Diseases and Hygiene Policy presenting to the Australasian University Safety Association.

Occupational lung diseases are work-related lung conditions of the respiratory system. 

Sam Hamilton, Director Occupational Diseases and Hygiene Policy presenting to the Australasian University Safety Association.

Video Summary:

Sam Hamilton, Director Occupational Diseases and Hygiene Policy presenting to the Australasian University Safety Association.

Work-related traumatic injury fatalities Australia 2020 report provides national statistics on all workers and bystanders fatally injured at work. This report does not include fatalities that occurred while the worker was commuting to or from work (commuter fatalities).

An information sheet about coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and mine dust diseases including the symptoms, causes and risk factors as well as information for persons conducting a business on undertaking on how to manage these risks at work.

Use this template to write a

As part of the first phase of national initiatives under the

Professor Parker discusses the principles of good work design, why they are important, and how we can use them to make workplaces safer and improve workers’ wellbeing.

You can use this template to prepare a 

Workplace bullying remains a serious problem in many Australian workplaces, costing individuals and organisations in poor productivity, absenteeism and mental stress. 

Today’s society is increasingly focused on a 24/7 economy and the expectations on people to work at all hours of the day have increased. 

While we’ve come a long way in ensuring physical health and safety is a normal part of how we work, our next challenge is to ensure mental health is given the same priority.

An information sheet about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease including the symptoms, causes and risk factors as well as information for persons conducting a business on undertaking on how to manage these risks at work.

An information sheet about Q fever including the symptoms, causes and risk factors as well as information for persons conducting a business on undertaking on how to manage these risks at work.

An information sheet about asbestosis and mesothelioma including the symptoms, causes and risk factors as well as information for persons conducting a business on undertaking on how to manage these risks at work.

An information sheet about silicosis including the symptoms, causes and risk factors as well as information for persons conducting a business on undertaking on how to manage these risks at work.

When it comes to psychological health and safety, employers can often be confused about their responsibilities. They want to know how to address the legal requirements, what best practice is, and how they can address the risks.

WHS reporting needs to provide relevant, robust and timely information to inform decisions that influence ongoing business performance. 

Resources and information for migrant workers about work health and safety. 

Work health and safety laws protect all workers, no matter how they are employed (e.g. labour hire; casuals) or their visa status. The same laws apply to all workplaces and workers in Australia.

Working from home may change WHS risks or create new ones.  It may also impact how you meet your WHS duties. For example, how you consult with workers, identify hazards, or implement control measures.   

WHS laws apply to when workers work from home just as they do in traditional workplaces such as offices. Working from home can have benefits for both workers and businesses. However, the WHS risks must still be managed.

Risk management should be ongoing. You may need to think about risk management again when changes occur within your workplace. For example, when you start a new business, change your business structure or purchase new equipment. 

Risk management involves thinking about what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and how likely it is to happen. You should always aim to eliminate risks. If you can’t, you must minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable. 

Persons who conduct a business or undertaking (such an employer) and others have a duty to manage WHS risks in the workplace. 

Work health and safety (WHS) laws apply when workers work from home just as they do in traditional workplaces such as offices.

Learn about notification requirements under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

Risk management involves thinking about what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and how likely it is to happen. Hazards are things and situations that could harm a person. 

As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a duty to consider good work design in a workplace. This page will assist you in understanding your duties under the model work health and safety laws, and direct you to supporting documentation.

Under the model WHS laws, all workplaces must have an emergency plan in place. 

The plan must let workers and visitors know what to do in an emergency.  

Most jobs involve some risk of sexual and gender-based harassment. This is a hazard and can cause both psychological and physical harm.

Working alone or remotely can increase the health and safety risks of any job. Workers may be isolated from support and assistance because of where or when they’re working, or the nature of their work they are doing. 

Every year, quad bikes are a major cause of death and serious injury in rural workplaces. Many incidents involve rollovers. 

Most jobs involve some psychosocial hazards. These are the hazards that can harm workers’ mental health. 

Fatigue is a state of physical, mental or emotional impairment. Fatigue can develop over the short or long term, can prevent people from functioning safely and can have health effects on workers. 

An electrical risk is something that can cause death, serious injury or shock. It can be direct or indirect contact. 

“Silica” is silicon dioxide, a naturally occurring and widely abundant mineral that is a major component of most rocks, sand and soils. It’s used to make common building materials like concrete, engineered stone (used in kitchen and other benchtops) and bricks.

A carcinogen is something that can cause cancer. 

Workplace bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a worker (or group of workers).  

Despite being banned in 2003, thousands of buildings and machinery parts still contain asbestos. 

An information sheet for Health and Safety Representatives on how to consult with workers and identify hazards to protect workers’ health and safety and prevent occupational lung diseases. Available in .docx and .PDF formats.