SafeWork NSW to host workplace sexual harassment summit in Dubbo
19 June 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW will hold a two-day summit in Dubbo to address workplace sexual harassment risks in health care and social assistance, retail and hospitality. The event will bring workers, employers and industry representatives together to develop practical prevention solutions.
In 2025, SafeWork NSW received 278 requests for service and seven workplace incident reports relating to sexual harassment. The health care and social assistance, hospitality and retail sectors accounted for 46% of those service requests.
High levels of customer interaction, vulnerable worker groups and complex reporting environments can contribute to sexual harassment risks in these sectors. These factors can increase the risk of psychosocial harm and create challenges for businesses required to proactively prevent those risks under NSW work health and safety laws.
SafeWork NSW recognises that prevention needs differ between sectors. It notes that business responses often concentrate on individual behaviour rather than broader issues, including workplace culture, job design and environmental factors such as isolated work areas.
The Partnering for Prevention – Industry Sexual Harassment Summit will involve workers, employers, managers, senior leaders and union representatives. Participants will explore sector-specific challenges and work together on practical approaches to prevention.
The health care and social assistance session will run from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 23 June. The retail and hospitality session will run from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 24 June. Both will take place at Dubbo Memorial Club, Level 1, 178 Brisbane Street, Dubbo.
SafeWork NSW is encouraging stakeholders in these industries to register for the event. Interested participants can register through the Partnering for Prevention: Industry sexual harassment summit event listing.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said: “Despite one in three workers experiencing workplace sexual harassment, it continues to be under reported across all industries.”
Schorer said the summit would offer an opportunity to hear the latest research, develop practical solutions to prevent and reduce workplace sexual harassment, and help shape how those solutions are implemented across industry.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that need closer attention, including psychosocial risks. Take the free WHS self-check