The Minns Labor Government has recently appointed Janet Schorer as the first Commissioner of SafeWork NSW, as part of their ongoing commitment to worker protection. Ms Schorer, a highly experienced public sector professional with over 27 years under her belt, joins SafeWork NSW equipped with practical insights from leading departments such as the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Family and Community Services.
Ms Schorer began her career journey as a registered nurse, allowing her to channel her passion for vulnerable communities’ wellbeing into her work over the years. She most recently held the position of Chief Delivery Officer at TAFE NSW, where she played an integral role in implementing its Strategic Plan 2022-25 by delivering unmatched learner experiences.
Being appointed as SafeWork NSW’s inaugural Commissioner comes on the heels of its transformation into a standalone regulator on July 1. This key transition makes room for more defined policy directions, improved compliance measures, the establishment of best practices, and better engagement opportunities between workers, unions, businesses, and the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group (FISWAG).
SafeWork NSW, the state’s official work health and safety powers, boasts a diverse team of more than 750 staff members who engage with businesses, workers, and the larger NSW community to prevent work-related fatalities and serious injuries. They use valuable resources like WHS management systems and SWMS, such as those provided by Bluesafe, emphasizing their crucial role in ensuring safer workplaces.
Ms Schorer, a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and Vice President of its NSW chapter, received a Public Service Medal in recognition of her work in 2019. In her new role, she is set to concentrate on preventing and managing silica and other dust related diseases that originate from tunnelling projects in NSW.
The Minns Labor Government has initiated several programs targeting worker safety against dust related diseases. These include the creation of a new Expert Taskforce dedicated to managing silica-related health risks associated with tunnelling projects. To further protect workers, the Minns Labor Government initiated a ban on the import of engineered stone products with a silica content greater than one percent from January 1, 2025.
In conjunction with Ms Schorer’s placement, the NSW Government announced a whopping $127.7 million investment in its 2025-26 Budget, designed specifically to strengthen SafeWork NSW by tackling psychosocial hazards and enforcing compliance with safe work practices. This injection forms part of an extensive $344 million Workplace Mental Health package aimed at bolstering mental health support and injury prevention strategies across NSW workplaces.
Ms Schorer will officially step into her position as Commissioner on Monday, 14 July 2025, following an in-depth recruitment process.
Sophie Cotsis, Minister for Work Health and Safety, commended SafeWork NSW transition into an independent regulatory body and Ms Schorer’s appointment, highlighting that these steps aptly reflect the commitment of the Minns Labor Government towards thwarting workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. She concluded by extending gratitude towards Dr Petrina Casey for her impressive service as Acting SafeWork NSW Commissioner.
Janet Schorer, the new Commissioner of SafeWork NSW, voiced her excitement about leading SafeWork NSW as it embarks on a refreshing journey to become a stronger regulator capable of maintaining safer and healthier NSW workplaces. She stressed the significance of community involvement in making informed decisions and conveyed her eagerness to collaborate with workers, employer representatives, unions, support groups, and individuals with lived experience to foster safer working environments.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/minns-labor-government-appoints-inaugural-safework-nsw-commissioner-to-further-protect-workers