SafeWork NSW sets out safety priorities for 2026–27
01 July 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW has released its 2026–27 Regulatory Statement, signalling that it expects NSW businesses to make meaningful workplace safety improvements. The statement outlines the regulator’s priorities, enforcement approach and focus areas for the year ahead.
Drawing on data, evidence and stakeholder insights, the statement sets out how SafeWork NSW will target workplace risks over the next financial year. Its priorities have remained largely consistent over the past two years, with a risk-based approach directing regulatory tools towards preventing fatalities, serious injuries and illness.
Falls from height and mobile plant were linked to substantial numbers of incidents reported to SafeWork NSW over the past 12 months. More than 600 incidents, including five fatalities, involved falls from height, while mobile plant was associated with more than 500 incidents and eight fatalities.
During the same period, SafeWork NSW received more than 2,200 requests for service concerning psychosocial hazards and notifications of over 190 related workplace incidents.
Hazardous substances also remained a significant risk across a range of industries. SafeWork NSW inspectors issued more than 145 silica-related notices, and the regulator received over 45 reports of silicosis cases in the past 12 months.
The statement renews the regulator’s commitment to consulting workers about work health and safety risks and actions, employer compliance with WHS Codes of Practice, and targeted initiatives for workers at greater risk of harm, including young and migrant workers. These priorities sit alongside SafeWork NSW’s core regulatory functions.
This is SafeWork NSW’s second Regulatory Statement since it became a standalone regulator on 1 July last year. Commissioner Janet Schorer said there had been little change in regulatory priorities between 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Schorer said that consistency showed there was still work for the regulator to do, while businesses in the priority areas also needed to consider carefully what was working well in their work health and safety arrangements and what needed improvement.
“As SafeWork NSW continues its journey, our focus remains on prevention by helping workplaces understand their obligations, lifting capability, and addressing risks early.”
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your current approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that may need closer attention. Take the free WHS self-check