

You Asked, We Listened – HSR Training Now Available One Day Per Week Over Five Weeks
Over the past few months, many clients have told us that while they recognise the importance of Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training, releasing workers from the workplace for five consecutive days, or the traditional three-day and two-day training format, can be challenging. Operational demands, staffing levels, service delivery requirements, and the economic impact of prolonged absences can make attendance difficult, particularly in aged care, manufacturing, logis


Can a Union Delegate be an HSR?
A union delegate can also be elected as a Health and Safety Representative (HSR), provided they have been properly elected by the workers in their work group in accordance with the WHS Act. However, the two roles are separate: HSR Union Delegate Elected under the WHS Act by members of a work group. Appointed or elected under union rules. Focuses on health and safety risks. Focuses on industrial and employment interests. Represents all workers in the work group. Represents uni


Lack of Proactive Officer Duties Drives a 30 % Higher Workplace Fatality Rate
Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe Victoria, recorded 12 workplace fatalities in the 12 months to 21 November 2025. Twelve preventable deaths in one year, in industries where the hazards and controls are well known is an unacceptable toll by any measure. The causes remain unchanged: structural collapses, unguarded machinery, falls from height, fatigue-related vehicle incidents, and chemical explosions, concentrated in construction, agriculture, manufac


Revisions to the Safe Work Australia Worker Representation and Participation Guide
In 2024 Safe Work Australia amended the Safe Work Australia Worker Representation and Participation Guide previously published in 2022. While no major changes were made to the core information regarding WHS consultation, representation, and participation, the amended guide incorporated changes to integrate recent legislative changes, specifically those related to the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Model WHS Regulation.


HSR training is not “optional”
SafeWork NSW have an initial course and a refresher course for health and safety representatives. ...


What do HSRs Learn in SafeWork NSW’s new HSR Course?
Weekly WHS Article 29th June 2023 If an HSR wants to be able to that role fully, they must be trained on SafeWork NSW’s initial 5-day...


What is a Work Group?
A “work group” in WHS law are groups of people within the business that are represented by one person and their deputy for the purpose ...


Employer representatives of a WHS Committee
Under the NSW WHS Act 2011, a business owner or employer can establish an HSC for the whole workplace or for parts of the workplace. ...


Trainer feedback on HSR virtual courses
Here is some feedback from one of our WHS trainers who delivers the SafeWork NSW HSR courses virtually in Zoom and MS Teams. ....


HSRs need to be trained on Psychosocial Hazards & Risks
Should HSRs be trained on psychosocial hazards & risks? The answer is yes.


Time Frames for HSRs
Time frame for negotiating to have HSRs If one or more workers requests to have health and safety representatives represent them for the...


Case study: Determining work groups for WHS consultation
On the 9th of July 2019 the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) delivered its decision on whether an employer had made....


Changes in the Consultation Code of Practice (2019)
On 30 August 2019 SafeWork NSW released an updated Consultation, Co-ordination, and Co-operation Code of Practice. ...

