WorkSafe ACT

If you are a PCBU or business owner, the best and easiest way to manage your interactions with WorkSafe ACT is through the Business Portal.

The secure online portal provides businesses with a one-stop location to:

- Submit forms and monitor their progress
- Easily view active, expiring, and expired permits and licences
- Access details of issued infringements, including descriptions, due dates, and payment options

To register your business, follow this registration link:
https://www.portal.worksafe.act.gov.au/s/

Once we’ve reviewed your details, you'll receive an email with instructions to set up your password.

From there, you can log in to manage all your submissions, permits, licences and payments in one central location.

You can also use the portal to report a notifiable incident, make a complaint, or raise a workplace concern or issue. See the links below for more information.

Notify:
https://www.portal.worksafe.act.gov.au/s/report-an-incident-overview

Complaint, issue or concern:
https://www.portal.worksafe.act.gov.au/worksafeBusinessPortal/s/report-a-complaint-overview

The WorkSafe ACT Vulnerable Workers Team has been actively engaging with workplaces, training organisations and the broader community to promote work health and safety awareness, with a continued focus on supporting young workers and apprentices.

Young workers and apprentices are at greater risk of workplace injury due to factors such as inexperience, unfamiliar environments and a reluctance to raise concerns. Early engagement is critical in building positive safety behaviours from the outset.

Helping young workers develop the confidence and skills to work safely makes safer workplaces for everyone.

For more information visit our Young Workers Portal here: https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/young-workers-portal/young-workers

This week is NAIDOC week; a time to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The 2026 theme, "50 years of Deadly" celebrates the incredible milestone of five decades since the inception of an all-indigenous NAIDOC committee, and pays tribute to all the elders, artists, organisers and communities that have made NAIDOC what is today.

WorkSafe ACT works on Ngunnawal Country; we walk in the footsteps of all of those before us with the deepest respect.

Join us in committing to healing the wounds of the past, fostering reconciliation, and walking hand in hand towards a future of equality and mutual respect.

Safety processes must be followed, not just documented

Too often WorkSafe ACT sees workplaces relying solely on documented procedures to ensure compliance and safety. Incidents continue to show a clear gap between what is written and what actually happens on site.

Under WHS laws, it is not enough to have controls in place. You must make sure they are used, followed and maintained in practice. When procedures are ignored, risks go unmanaged and workers are exposed to harm. This can lead to serious injuries and prosecution.

Read the full Safety Alert here:
https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-alerts/safety-processes-must-be-followed,-not-just-documented

Now available: WorkSafe ACT Quarterly Newsletter.

Check out the latest updates on work health and safety across the ACT, including:
• Joint ACT–NSW inspections
• Prosecution and enforcement outcomes
• Industry engagement highlights
• Key data insights

📬 Access the full newsletter here:
https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/3090833/Quarterly-2-2026-final-1.pdf

To receive future editions directly to your inbox, click the link below.

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/forms/subscribe-to-alerts

Falls from low heights can still cause serious injuries. Implementing the right controls is critical, as using an inadequate fall prevention system may not protect workers.



Read the full safety alert here: https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-alerts/low-height-falls-still-carry-high-risk

WorkSafe ACT has published a new Workers’ Compensation Compliance and Enforcement Policy, setting out our approach to promoting compliance and responding to non‑compliance under the Workers Compensation Act 1951.



The policy explains WorkSafe ACT’s role in regulating the ACT’s private sector workers’ compensation scheme, our compliance and enforcement principles, and the tools available to address non‑compliance.



Access the policy here and more information about workers’ compensation in the ACT here:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/workers-compensation

Listen in to WorkSafe ACTs latest Safety Spotlight Podcast release focusing on ‘Dangerous Substances’.

In this episode you’ll hear WHS Commissioner Jacqui Agius and Occupational Hygienist Kate Cole OAM highlight the risks of silica and asbestos in a variety of workplaces and discuss best practice management strategies for high-risk industries.


Listen to the full episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2460452/episodes/19364762

Working at heights on one- and two-story residential construction projects is common, but it’s important to use the right controls. PCBUs must provide workers with an appropriate fall restraint system and ensure that workers are trained in how harnesses are correctly used, fitted and worn.

A fall restraint system is designed to prevent a worker from reaching a fall edge. It must be properly installed, used in line with manufacturer instructions, and meet relevant safety standards.

Using the wrong system can increase the risk of serious injury. Fall arrest harnesses are not suitable in low-height residential settings, as there may not be enough clearance for the system to activate before the worker hits the ground.

For more information on fall restraint systems see the links below:

Working at heights – WorkSafe ACT:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-by-industry/building-and-construction/working-at-heights


Working at Heights – SWA:

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/duties-tool/construction/hazards-information/working-heights

Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice:

https://legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2020-553/



Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice:

https://legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2020-552/

WorkSafe ACT’s Compliance and Enforcement Snapshot for May 2026 is out now.



This infographic provides insights into our workplace visits and compliance activities, including a breakdown by demographic.



You can check out the full version here:
https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/files/documents/compliance-and-enforcement-monthly-data-snapshot/C-and-E-May-2026.pdf

If you would like to receive updates and information directly to your inbox, click the link below.

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/forms/subscribe-to-alerts