Australia: Health & Safety

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Employment law and labour law articles and thought leadership, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore articles covering topics such as Discrimination, Employee Benefits and Compensation, Health and Safety, Unfair/Wrongful Dismissal, Whistleblowing, Employment Rights, Outsourcing and Redundancy.
Article
The IRC As Gatekeeper: A Shift Away From The Traditional Demarcation Between Industrial And Workers Compensation Issues In New South Wales
The Industrial Relations Commission of NSW now serves as a critical gatekeeper for psychological injury claims under reformed workers compensation legislation. This jurisdictional shift requires workers to establish that workplace conduct falls within specific categories—bullying, sexual harassment, racial harassment, or excessive work demands—before compensation claims can proceed. The reforms fundamentally alter the relationship between industrial relations and workers compensation systems, cr
Australia Employment
CO
Carroll & O'Dea
Article
Sexual Harassment Investigations In Victoria: Key Investigation Tips For Employers
Recent developments in workplace safety and discrimination laws have fundamentally transformed sexual harassment investigations beyond simple fact-finding exercises. Investigators must now navigate complex requirements spanning procedural fairness, psychosocial safety obligations, and trauma-informed practices while managing competing pressures and legal risks that can arise from poorly conducted investigations.
Australia Employment
GC
Gilchrist Connell
Article
The Risks That Build Slowly: Understanding Cumulative Psychosocial Hazards
Psychosocial harm in the workplace often develops gradually as multiple pressures accumulate over time, making it difficult to recognise until a crisis emerges. Understanding how factors like workload, organisational change, poor communication, and inadequate support interact can help leaders identify patterns early and implement effective controls before serious incidents occur.
Australia Employment
K
KordaMentha
Podcast
Podcast: Inside The Claim With CGW – Flight Risk: Grounded By A Galley Cart
Cooper Grace Ward's Damien Jarrett and Jess Byrne examine Hunter v Alliance Airlines Pty Ltd, a Supreme Court workers' compensation case involving a cabin crew member's back injury from a jammed galley cart. The discussion explores how the case evolved from maintenance and staffing allegations into a training dispute, and examines the court's approach to quantum arguments when the injured worker chose to pursue her own business rather than return to employment.
Australia Employment
CG
Cooper Grace Ward
Article
Returning To Work: Why Your Certificate Of Capacity Matters
When returning to work after a workplace injury in New South Wales, your certificate of capacity serves as a crucial document that determines your workers compensation benefits and guides your safe transition back to employment. Understanding what information must be accurately recorded on this certificate—from work hours and duty restrictions to treatment needs—can significantly impact your entitlement to weekly payments and ensure your return to work aligns with your actual physical and psycho
Australia Employment
CO
Carroll & O'Dea
Article
Coming For HR – When The Investigation Is The Hazard
Investigations are stressful – for everyone involved. So it’s no surprise the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has held that there are inherent psychosocial risks involved in the investigation process. In a recent decision affirming the validity of two improvement notices issued to the Department of Education by SafeWork NSW, the Commission reminds employers of their duty to identify and mitigate those risks, and the consequences when they don’t.
Australia Employment
BP
Bartier Perry
Article
Workers Compensation Entitlements For NSW RFS Volunteers
NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers who suffer injuries during authorised activities are entitled to workers compensation benefits under special legislation. Understanding what constitutes an authorised activity, how compensation is calculated based on civilian earnings, and the process for claiming medical expenses and weekly payments can be critical for volunteers seeking to protect their entitlements.
Australia Employment
CO
Carroll & O'Dea
Article
Codes Of Practice Now Mandatory In New South Wales
New South Wales has introduced mandatory compliance with minister-approved codes of practice under section 26A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, requiring businesses to either follow published codes or implement equivalent or higher safety standards. This legislative change exposes non-compliant businesses to separate penalties beyond existing duty of care obligations, marking a significant shift from the previous evidentiary role of codes in most Australian jurisdictions.
Australia Employment
HR
Holding Redlich
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