Recognise Safety Leaders: Nominate Now for the 2027 WorkSafe Awards

Now in its 37th year, the WorkSafe Awards program is again highlighting outstanding efforts to reduce workplace injuries and improve outcomes for injured workers across Victoria. The annual awards acknowledge employers, workers and teams who have implemented creative health and safety initiatives, built strong safety-first cultures, and actively supported safe and sustainable return to work.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson said the awards provide an important opportunity for Victorian organisations and workers to showcase how they are lifting standards in work health and safety.

"Each year, the WorkSafe Awards recognise those who go above and beyond to protect people in Victorian workplaces," Ms Henderson said.

"Whether through new technology, strengthened WHS management systems, improved policies and procedures, or simply a proactive and collaborative approach – if you have taken meaningful steps to improve health and safety or return-to-work outcomes, we want to hear from you."

The 2027 awards will feature categories spanning psychosocial risk management, innovative safety solutions, and recognition of passionate health and safety representatives. There is also a strong focus on injured workers who have overcome significant challenges to achieve a successful and sustainable return to work, often supported by robust return-to-work policies and structured planning.

In recognition of the unique risks faced in the primary production sector, the 2027 program will include an Agriculture Safety Solution Award. This category will highlight agribusinesses that are actively reducing risk and preventing harm, including organisations that operate on farms part-time or provide services to farming operations. Initiatives may include safer work practices, documented Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and tailored farm safety management plans. For businesses seeking support in formalising their WHS documentation, resources such as pre-developed SWMS templates are available from specialist providers like BlueSafe.

Nominations are open to all Victorian-based employers and workers until Tuesday 30 June. Individuals, teams and organisations are welcome to nominate themselves or put forward a colleague, worker, health and safety representative or employer whose efforts deserve recognition.

Winners of the 2027 WorkSafe Awards will be announced at a presentation and dinner on Thursday 25 February 2027.

For media enquiries, contact WorkSafe Victoria via email at media@worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone 0438 786 968.