NSW Strengthens SafeWork Inspectorate to Tackle Psychosocial Risks

The Minns Labor Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safer workplaces with the graduation of 27 new SafeWork NSW inspectors, further strengthening the state’s capacity to prevent workplace incidents and support compliance with work health and safety (WHS) laws.

Of the new recruits, 14 inspectors will be stationed across metropolitan Sydney, while 13 will be deployed to regional areas including the Hunter, Central Coast, Riverina, South Coast, Illawarra and Central West. This allocation is designed to ensure that businesses across both metro and regional NSW receive improved access to regulatory support and oversight.

Since SafeWork NSW became a standalone regulator on 1 July 2025, a total of 68 new inspectors have been recruited, marking the largest five-year intake and significantly boosting frontline regulatory capability. This uplift is part of a broader strategy to strengthen WHS management systems, improve compliance and reduce the risk of serious incidents, injuries and fatalities.

The latest cohort includes five dedicated psychosocial inspectors with professional backgrounds in areas such as psychology, workers compensation and anti-bullying. Their role will focus on identifying, preventing and managing psychosocial hazards, including issues such as work-related stress, harassment, bullying and occupational violence.

The appointment of additional psychosocial inspectors reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to supporting both workers and businesses to understand their obligations around psychological health and to implement effective risk controls. This includes encouraging employers to embed robust WHS management systems, safe work method statements (SWMS) and clear workplace policies to proactively address psychosocial risks. For organisations seeking structured WHS documentation, resources such as management systems and policies can be found through providers like BlueSafe.

Managing psychosocial risks has been identified as one of SafeWork NSW’s five key regulatory priorities. The expansion of the inspectorate aims to prevent hazards before they result in injury, illness or workers compensation claims, and to enhance the overall maturity of WHS practices in New South Wales workplaces.

The NSW Government has committed a record $127.7 million over four years to improve work health and safety outcomes across the state. This investment includes funding for an additional 51 inspectors, with 20 of those positions dedicated to psychosocial risk, representing SafeWork NSW’s largest ever increase in inspector numbers.

The expanded inspectorate supports SafeWork NSW’s nation-leading focus on psychological health at work by providing greater capacity for education, advisory services, audits and enforcement where necessary. Inspectors are tasked with taking targeted action in high-risk industries and activities, aligned with SafeWork NSW’s 2026–27 regulatory priorities, to reduce the likelihood of death, serious injury and occupational disease.

In addition to increasing inspector numbers, the NSW Government is establishing a Psychosocial Advisory Service to provide tailored advice to workers and business owners on managing psychosocial hazards. New South Wales was also the first jurisdiction to implement a comprehensive psychosocial code of practice that applies to all psychosocial hazards and all workplaces, setting a benchmark for the rest of the country.

SafeWork NSW inspectors will continue to focus on high-hazard areas and complex risks, working with employers to improve WHS management systems, consult with workers and implement practical controls. This includes encouraging the adoption of clear procedures, policies and SWMS for high-risk work, supported by structured documentation such as WHS policies and procedures available from providers like BlueSafe.

According to the Government, SafeWork NSW inspectors remain on the frontline of workplace safety, playing a critical role in ensuring workers start and finish their shifts safely. The additional inspectors are expected to enhance SafeWork NSW’s ability to provide education, guidance, compliance monitoring and, where required, enforcement actions to drive safer practices across all sectors.

The graduating inspectors have been congratulated for their commitment to improving WHS outcomes. Their work will be central to lifting safety standards, driving compliance with WHS legislation and influencing positive cultural change so that every worker in New South Wales can return home safely at the end of the day.