Labor Is Making Workplaces Safer For All Victorians

Workers who speak up about safety on the job will get stronger protection under new laws introduced by the Carroll Labor Government.

The Workplace Legislation Amendment (Accident Compensation and Other Matters) Bill 2026 will deliver the first stage of reforms from the final report of the Independent Review of Employee Representatives.

The Government Response commits to implementing 16 of the 17

recommendations.

Making workplaces safer

Provisional Improvement Notices will be digitised to help speed up safety processes, with paper options remaining.

The laws will also enable authorised representatives to investigate additional suspected OHS issues without leaving the workplace – saving time and meaning safety issues are addressed faster.

Labor will also clarify the rights of health and safety representatives (HSRs) to access information and make copies of documents relevant to suspected health and safety concerns.

WorkSafe inspectors will also get power to resolve disputes, at the request of designated work groups covering multiple employers – like emergency services teams working side-by-side on the same site.

Cracking down on coercion and misuse of power

The Independent Review heard allegations of the misuse of OHS powers in some Victorian workplaces.

Labor is taking immediate action to address these issues.

The changes strengthen protections against coercion and intimidation, including coercion in relation to HSR nominations and elections.

The new laws will mean that employee representatives must not intentionally use or disclose information from an employer or employee for a purpose not reasonably connected with the exercise of a power under the OHS Act.

This includes the prohibited use of photos and recordings for reasons other than genuine health and safety matters.

Quotes attributable to Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Steve Dimopoulos

“Every worker deserves to be safe at work.”

“These reforms will deliver health and safety improvements for workers, and ensure Victoria has effective workplace systems in place to protect workers into the future.”