Australia: Health & Safety

New minimum standards effective from 17 August 2026 introduce personal accident insurance requirements for delivery drivers and riders working through digital platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo. These protections address a critical gap for gig economy workers who, as independent contractors, have historically fallen outside traditional workers compensation schemes when injured on the job.

The South Australian Employment Tribunal has rejected claims that after-hours TikTok and Snapchat messages sent to employees breached their right to disconnect. The ruling provides useful guidance on when out-of-hours communications may cross the line.

Boards are accustomed to overseeing cyber security and workplace safety as material risks requiring director-level attention. Immigration compliance is now joining that list, driven by expanded enforcement powers, personal liability provisions for officers, and a regulatory shift from complaint-driven oversight to proactive audits.

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

The new Victorian Premier, Ben Carroll, has announced plans to delay the commencement of the Victorian right to work from home, as outlined in the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 (EO Bill) which was introduced to Parliament in June this year.

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.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has introduced the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026, which would create a statutory right for employees to work from home at least two days per week, where it is reasonable to do so.

The NSW Government faces a complex challenge in regulating employee social media activity, particularly when public sector workers engage in political commentary outside of work

Australian businesses face heightened WHS obligations following a record $1.1 million federal penalty, expanded South Australian labour hire licensing...