Queensland seeks nominations for WHS industry committees

The Industry Sector Standing Committees are established under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld). Their main role is to advise the Work Health and Safety Board and make recommendations on workplace health and safety matters in their respective industries.

The committees draw on their industry networks to consult on sector-specific WHS issues and help promote and distribute health and safety information. Chairpersons and members were appointed to six committees on 15 February 2024, for terms ending on 12 September 2026.

Each committee has a chairperson and at least six other members, with equal representation of employers and workers. Expert members may also be included. Since 20 May 2024, the Minister has been able to establish up to ten committees through a gazette notice.

Nominations are sought from people with practical experience and competence in managing WHS in the relevant industry sectors. The Office of Industrial Relations forwards nominations to the Minister for consideration and notifies applicants of the outcome after the Minister makes a decision.

When making appointments, the Minister considers nominees’ practical WHS experience and competence, seeks to appoint both men and women, and must ensure equal representation of worker and employer representatives.

The Queensland Government supports diversity and inclusion on its committees. The Office of Industrial Relations strongly encourages nominations from across Queensland’s regions and from people with varied skills and perspectives, including suitably qualified women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other diverse groups.

Nominations can be submitted by email to OIRBoardsandCommittees@oir.qld.gov.au, with submissions requested by 10 October 2025. Nominees must complete the required forms to be eligible for consideration for appointment.

The privacy notice states that the Office of Industrial Relations collects applicants’ information for their participation in committee duties. Information may be shared with Queensland Shared Services for those purposes and will be stored securely. Access is restricted to authorised employees of those organisations, and other disclosure requires consent unless it is required or authorised by law.

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