References
- ↑ "Work Health and Safety Commission: Annual reports - WorkSafe – LGIRS". www.worksafe.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "About WorkSafe - WorkSafe – LGIRS". www.worksafe.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
WorkSafe is part of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety in Western Australia. They are responsible for the administration and enforcement of workplace health and safety legislation, as well as ensuring the safe storage, handling, and transport of dangerous goods. They administer the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) and the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 (DGS Act).
The division consists of the following business and operational areas:
WorkSafe oversees the regulatory and policy requirements of workers' health and safety in the general industries, mining sector, petroleum and geothermal energy operations, safety legislation for dangerous goods and major hazard facilities. [1]
The WorkSafe Commissioner, reporting to the Minister for Industrial Relations, is responsible for performing the functions and exercising the powers as the regulator under the WHS Act.
Sally North is the current WorkSafe Commissioner.
WorkSafe’s role is to drive workplace change through education, specialist advice and enforcement.
WorkSafe’s collaborative approach is fostered through working with peak work health and safety bodies including the Work Health and Safety Commission and the Mining and Petroleum Advisory Committee. These peak bodies include representatives of employers, unions and WHS experts, collectively influencing workplace environments and building industry capacity to deliver strong WHS performance.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984 was repealed on 31 March 2022 and replaced by the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 aligning Western Australia’s laws with the national model WHS laws adopted by other Australian jurisdictions.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 is supported by three sets of regulations.
Applies to all workplaces except those covered by the other two sets of regulations
Applies to mining and mineral exploration operations
Applies to onshore and offshore petroleum, pipeline and geothermal energy operations.
WorkSafe administers seven pieces of legislation relating to the manufacture, storage, handling, transport, and use of dangerous goods, including explosives and non-explosives:
This includes the operation of major hazard facilities across Western Australia.
WorkSafe’s strategic plan, The way forward 2023-24 to 2025-26 , is a high-level, three-year rolling strategy that describes the goals, priority areas and measures of success for health and safety actions undertaken by WorkSafe .
The four key priorities are:
The strategy aims to influence industry practices and reduce workplace harm beyond regulatory enforcement. It aligns with Safe Work Australia’s Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023–2033.
WorkSafe's overarching goals for the period of 2023-24 to 2025-26 [2] :
The ThinkSafe. WorkSafe. campaign was launched in 2024 to improve work practices to achieve better health and safety outcomes for workers. It is also to reinforce the importance of health and safety for every worker. The campaign supports basic risk management messages that focus on harm reduction and changing behaviour at the individual or organisational level.
Each October, WorkSafe participates in Safe Work Month, a national event led by Safe Work Australia. The campaign encourages workplaces to commit to creating a healthy and safe workplace. Throughout the month, events and industry forums are held to boost engagement, raise awareness, and encourage everyone to make health and safety a priority.
WorkSafe also hosts the Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards during the month, to recognise individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to workplace safety and innovation.
The MARS Program is an inter-agency collaboration launched in December 2021, involving the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS), the Mental Health Commission, the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Department of Communities.
MARS Program works with the mining industry to drive positive cultural change and take meaningful action towards identifying and responding to psychosocial issues.
WorkSafe SmartMove is an online program that teaches work health and safety to new and young workers. Created by WorkSafe Western Australia, it is aimed at senior high school students and young people starting work through placements, work experience, or school-based traineeships and apprenticeships. The program began in December 1998 as part of the SafetyLine Online initiative.
SmartMove helps participants spot workplace hazards, assess risks, and use safe practices to stay healthy and safe at work. The program offers certificate modules for different industries and includes sessions on new workplace hazards. About 92% of senior high schools in Western Australia use the program each year.
