27 new inspectors join SafeWork NSW, including five psychosocial specialists

The new inspectors will strengthen SafeWork NSW’s presence in metropolitan Sydney and across the Hunter, Central Coast, Riverina, South Coast, Illawarra and Central West regions.

SafeWork NSW has recruited 68 inspectors since it became a standalone regulator on 1 July 2025. That represents its highest recruitment intake in five years.

The five psychosocial inspectors bring expertise in psychology, workers compensation and anti-bullying. Their work will focus on preventing and addressing psychosocial risks in NSW workplaces, while supporting workers and businesses to understand and prevent psychological injury and harm.

Managing workplace psychosocial risks is among SafeWork NSW’s five regulatory priorities. The inspectorate expansion is intended to help prevent hazards from causing injuries and leading to workers compensation claims.

The recruitment builds on the NSW Government’s record $127.7 million investment over four years to improve work health and safety outcomes. That investment includes 51 additional SafeWork NSW inspectors, including 20 psychosocial inspectors, marking the regulator’s largest expansion in inspector numbers.

The NSW Government is also establishing a Psychosocial Advisory Service to offer workers and business owners advice tailored to managing psychosocial safety at work. NSW was the first state to introduce a psychosocial code of practice covering all psychosocial hazards and workplaces.

SafeWork NSW inspectors take targeted action to prevent or reduce workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses, particularly in high-hazard areas identified in the regulator’s 2026–27 priorities. Their role includes education, advice, compliance and enforcement activities.

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