Work Health and Safety Amendment (Standalone Regulator) Act 2025

From 1 July 2025, SafeWork NSW has been formally established as an independent regulator under the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Standalone Regulator) Act 2025 . This change enhances SafeWork NSW’s independence, accountability, and ability to focus on its core mission—securing safe and healthy workplaces across the state.

The Act introduces:

  • a dedicated SafeWork Commissioner, responsible for leading the regulator and setting its strategic direction
  • a newly formed SafeWork Advisory Council, tasked with monitoring emerging risks and advising on regulatory priorities
  • structural changes that remove SafeWork NSW from the Department of Customer Service, establishing it as a standalone agency.

These reforms are designed to strengthen the state’s work health and safety framework, improve responsiveness to workplace risks, and ensure greater transparency in regulatory decision-making.

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