Safe Work Australia released new resources to help manage the risk of gender-based violence in construction
As an employer, you have a legal duty to prevent gender‑based violence by eliminating or minimising the risk as much as possible, under Workplace Health and Safety laws. Safe Work Australia has released new resources to support businesses to manage these risks in the construction industry. They cover consulting workers, putting effective controls in place and responding properly to complaints.
Vic on the lookout for Footy’s Favourite Farmer
WorkSafe Victoria in partnership with AFL Victoria, are running a competition to find Footy’s Favourite Farmer. The competition recognises the vital role farmers play in their communities, while reinforcing the importance of safety in one of the state’s highest-risk industries. The winning farmer is awarded with $10,000 to put towards farm safety improvements, and another $10,000 for upgrades to their local football netball club. The award highlights the need for safer practices in agriculture, which accounts for about 10% of workplace fatalities.
Nominations are open until 31 July
NSW appoints inaugural SafeWork Advisory Council
The SafeWork Advisory Council brings together representatives of workers, employers, workplace safety experts and families with lived experience of losing a loved one to a workplace fatality. The Council will provide strategic advice to SafeWork NSW and the NSW Government on emerging risks and trends.
WorkCover Queensland holds premiums steady
For the second year in a row, WorkCover Queensland has held its target average premium rate steady. The insurance premium rates and calculations are available in the 2026 WorkCover Queensland gazette notice.
WorkSafe Queensland has also listed tips for employers to influence their premiums.
South Australia has reduced the height threshold for high-risk construction work
From 1 July, changes to the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 have reduced the working at height threshold from three metres to two metres for high-risk construction work. Any work at height above two metres is classed as high-risk construction work and requires a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) before work begins.
WorkCover WA released a workers compensation claim fact sheet
WorkCover WA has developed a fact sheet to help employers with their legal responsibilities following a worker submitting a workers compensation claim. It gives an overview of injury management systems, what employers need to do in the event of a claim and what happens once a claim is submitted.
Read the Employer Essentials – Injury Management Systems and the Claims Process
WorkCover WA publishes APIA Standards of Practice
WorkCover WA released new standards, Approved Permanent Impairment Assessor (APIA) Standards of Practice, that clarify expectations for APIAs relating to professional conduct and assessment practices
The standards support consistent and transparent permanent impairment assessments across WA workers compensation. They intend to provide clarity for workers, employers, and other scheme participants through the permanent impairment process, and support APIAs to deliver quality, defensible assessments.
Read the Approved Permanent Impairment Assessor (APIA) Standards
WorkCover WA updated fishing crew cover
Minor amendments to the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Regulations 2024 mean any person engaged as part of a fishing crew that is defined as a ‘worker’ in the Act will be covered in the WA workers compensation scheme.
WA employers engaging fishing crew workers will be required to insure them as part of their worker compensation insurance policy with a licensed insurer, from 4.00pm 30 June 2026.
See the Fact Sheet to learn more
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