SafeWork NSW Half‑Year Report Highlights Enforcement and WHS Risks
27 Mar 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW has released its first half‑yearly performance report as a standalone regulator, outlining investigation outcomes, enforcement activity and key work health and safety trends across New South Wales.
SafeWork NSW has published its first six‑monthly performance report since commencing operations as a standalone work health and safety regulator on 1 July 2025. The report, required under recent legislative reforms, covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Across the reporting period, SafeWork NSW completed 79 investigations and made enforcement decisions on matters arising from workplace fatalities, serious injuries or illnesses and dangerous incidents. Of these, 52 matters proceeded to prosecution, demonstrating an active enforcement approach where duty holders are alleged to have failed to meet their WHS obligations.
As at 31 December 2025, there were 168 active investigations underway. These figures underline the importance for PCBUs to maintain robust WHS management systems, supported by clear policies, procedures and documented risk controls, to manage hazards and demonstrate compliance.
During the six months, SafeWork NSW received 7,570 requests for service relating to work health and safety concerns. The construction industry accounted for the largest share, lodging 3,120 requests, or 41 per cent of all notifications. This reinforces the need for construction businesses to implement and regularly review their Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and project‑specific WHS management plans to address high‑risk construction work. Suitable, industry‑specific SWMS templates are available from providers such as BlueSafe.
The report also highlights 1,476 requests for service relating to psychosocial harms. This reflects the growing focus on psychological health in workplaces and the need for organisations to embed psychosocial risk management into their WHS policies and procedures, including consultation, reporting pathways and early intervention measures.
According to SafeWork NSW, the bi‑annual reporting framework is designed to provide an evidence‑based picture of work health and safety performance across the State. The intention is to drive continuous improvement, accountability and transparency in regulatory decision‑making and outcomes.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer stated that the publication is a key element of SafeWork NSW’s commitment to being a strong, robust and fit‑for‑purpose regulator, capable of effectively securing safer and healthier workplaces in New South Wales. She noted that the report is intended to strengthen public confidence in SafeWork NSW’s integrity, independence and effectiveness, and to support transparent reporting, improved complaints handling and strong engagement with workers, industry, unions and other stakeholders.
The full half‑yearly report, including detailed data and analysis, is available on the SafeWork NSW website. Duty holders are encouraged to review the findings and ensure their WHS management systems, SWMS and related documentation are current, implemented and effectively monitored.