Safety Bulletin - March 2026
New South Wales – Workers compensation – Major workers compensation reform passed in parliament
The NSW government has passed reforms to the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Bill 2025 which would further modernise services to prioritise prevention and improve return to work rates over the next few years.
Australia – Dust disease – Plan from engineered stone ban review and action plan published
Safe Work Australia (SWA) has published an implementation plan to action the outcomes from the engineered stone prohibition review and a Silica Action Plan for SWA’s deliverables under the Silica National Strategic Plan. Priorities include developing a nationally recognised standard testing criteria for products, finalising amendments to allow installation of legacy engineered stone, working on marketing and labelling of products and creating guidance for disposal. Other work is also underway, such as health monitoring under the model WHS laws to be consulted on in the second half of 2026, undertaking a silica awareness initiative, and reviewing guidance.
View the Silica National Strategic Plan
Western Australia – Workers compensation – Proposed amendments open for consultation until 10 April
WorkCover WA has announced proposed changes to the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 and has released a consultation paper for feedback. The amendments would include streamlining agreement processes, clarification of settlement processes, expanded powers for arbitrators, allowance of early oversight of certain uninsured employer claims, and further clarification of payments for damages, among other things. Comments close 10 April 2026.