SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA — MODELLING FRAMEWORK

Aligned with Australians Unified • Employment & Workplace Relations Portfolio Modelled from the Fair Work Ombudsman structure and strategic layout

 

SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA

Australians Unified – Employment, Skills, Workplace Relations & Fair Work Portfolio

Safe Work Australia (SWA) is the national policy body responsible for improving work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia. It leads national WHS standards, data, research, and policy coordination to ensure safer workplaces for all Australians.

 

OUR ROLE

(Mirrored from the FWO “Our Role” structure)

Safe Work Australia exists to:

  • Develop and maintain national WHS and workers’ compensation policy

  • Lead national WHS data, research, and evidence‑based standards

  • Support states and territories to implement consistent WHS laws

  • Promote safe, healthy, and productive workplaces

  • Strengthen protections for high‑risk and vulnerable workers

  • Provide national guidance, education, and regulatory frameworks

  • Coordinate national responses to emerging WHS risks

SWA ensures Australia remains a safe, healthy, and productive place to work.

 

OUR STRENGTHS

(Modelled from FWO’s “Regulatory & Governance Strengths” and “Sovereign Strengths”)

Regulatory & Governance Strengths

  • National leadership in WHS policy and standards

  • Strong evidence‑based approach through national data and research

  • Deep collaboration with states, territories, industry, and unions

  • Trusted source of WHS guidance and national frameworks

  • Expertise in high‑risk industry safety and prevention strategies

Sovereign Strengths

  • Central to national productivity and workforce wellbeing

  • Supports consistent WHS protections across jurisdictions

  • Strengthens Australia’s international WHS reputation

  • Essential to national resilience and economic continuity

OUR WEAKNESSES

(Adapted from FWO’s “Structural” and “Operational Weaknesses”)

Structural Weaknesses

  • Fragmented WHS enforcement across states and territories

  • Limited national authority to mandate uniform implementation

  • Slow adoption of WHS reforms in some jurisdictions

  • Gaps in national data for emerging industries and gig work

Operational Weaknesses

  • Limited public awareness of WHS rights and responsibilities

  • Under‑resourced national research and data capabilities

  • Workforce shortages in specialist WHS policy and analytics

  • Inconsistent outreach to remote and high‑risk communities

OUR THREATS

(Mirrored from FWO’s “External” and “Internal Threats”)

External Threats

  • Rising workplace injuries in high‑risk sectors

  • New hazards from automation, AI, and gig‑economy work

  • Climate‑related WHS risks (heat, disasters, air quality)

  • Misinformation about WHS obligations and rights

Internal Threats

  • Outdated WHS data systems

  • Limited surge capacity for national WHS crises

  • Workforce fatigue and specialist skill shortages

  • Fragmented national coordination mechanisms

 

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

(Modelled from FWO’s “Strategic” and “Operational Opportunities”)

Strategic Opportunities

  • Modernise national WHS data and intelligence systems

  • Strengthen protections for high‑risk and vulnerable workers

  • Expand national WHS education and digital guidance

  • Improve national reporting and transparency

  • Lead international WHS collaboration and benchmarking

Operational Opportunities

  • Recruit and retain specialist WHS policy and research staff

  • Strengthen partnerships with industry, unions, and regulators

  • Improve access to WHS resources for small businesses

  • Expand regional and remote WHS outreach

1. BASELINE FUNDING (ALREADY PROVIDED)

Safe Work Australia’s current operational envelope is smaller than enforcement agencies but critical for national WHS policy, data, and standards.

 

FunctionAnnual BaselineNational WHS policy & standards$0.09BWHS data, research & analytics$0.05BNational WHS education & guidance$0.03BWorkers’ compensation policy$0.02BCorporate, governance & coordination$0.03B

 

TOTAL BASELINE FUNDING: $0.22B per year

 

2. REQUIRED UPLIFT — YEARLY COSTING MODEL

Mirrors the FWO 4‑phase uplift structure exactly.

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Purpose: Stabilise WHS systems, strengthen national coordination, improve access.

Annual Uplift Required: $0.18B – $0.26B

Breakdown:

  • WHS data system stabilisation: $0.05B

  • Priority WHS standards & policy uplift: $0.06B

  • High‑risk sector outreach: $0.03B

  • Governance & reporting uplift: $0.02B

  • Workforce capability & training: $0.02B

2‑Year Total: $0.36B – $0.52B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Purpose: Expand capability, modernise WHS systems, strengthen protections.

Annual Uplift Required: $0.26B – $0.34B

Breakdown:

  • National WHS intelligence platform: $0.08B

  • Expanded WHS research & analytics: $0.07B

  • Digital WHS education programs: $0.04B

  • Vulnerable worker WHS protections: $0.03B

  • Regional & remote WHS expansion: $0.04B

3‑Year Total: $0.78B – $1.02B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Purpose: Grow sovereign WHS capability, expand national reach.

Annual Uplift Required: $0.34B – $0.44B

Breakdown:

  • National WHS data & reporting ecosystem: $0.10B

  • International WHS standards engagement: $0.06B

  • Community partnerships & outreach: $0.06B

  • Workforce expansion (policy, analytics, research): $0.08B

  • Modernised transparency systems: $0.04B

2‑Year Total: $0.68B – $0.88B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Purpose: Fully modern, integrated, climate‑resilient WHS system.

Annual Uplift Required: $0.42B – $0.56B

Breakdown:

  • Smart WHS reporting & AI‑enabled tools: $0.12B

  • Integrated national WHS ecosystem: $0.10B

  • Climate‑resilient WHS frameworks: $0.06B

  • Continuous policy innovation: $0.08B

  • Workforce wellbeing & retention: $0.06B

4‑Year Total: $1.68B – $2.24B

 

3. TOTAL INVESTMENT SUMMARY

6‑YEAR TOTAL (Years 1–6)

  • Uplift Required: $1.82B – $2.42B

  • Baseline Funding: $1.32B

TOTAL 6‑YEAR INVESTMENT:

$3.14B – $3.74B

 

10‑YEAR TOTAL (Years 1–10)

  • Uplift Required: $3.60B – $4.66B

  • Baseline Funding: $2.20B

TOTAL 10‑YEAR INVESTMENT:

$5.80B – $6.86B

 

STRATEGIC ROADMAP — SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA

(Mirrored from the FWO 4‑phase roadmap)

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Stabilise & Strengthen WHS Systems

  • National WHS framework audit

  • Priority upgrades to WHS data systems

  • Improved access to WHS guidance

  • Governance and reporting uplift

  • High‑risk sector engagement

Delivers: Faster, more accessible WHS protection Colour: Sage Green

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Expand Capability & Modernise Operations

  • National WHS intelligence platform

  • Expanded WHS research and analytics

  • Digital WHS education programs

  • Strengthened protections for vulnerable workers

  • Improved outreach to high‑risk industries

Delivers: Better integration with community and government Colour: Blue‑Grey

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Grow Sovereign WHS Capability

  • National WHS data and reporting ecosystem

  • International WHS standards engagement

  • Community partnerships

  • Policy innovation

  • Regional and remote WHS expansion

Delivers: Stronger sovereign capability Colour: Sand / Gold

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

A Modern, Inclusive WHS System

  • Smart WHS reporting technologies

  • Climate‑resilient WHS frameworks

  • Integrated national WHS ecosystem

  • Continuous policy innovation

  • Fully modernised WHS infrastructure

Delivers: A competitive edge in safety and wellbeing Colour: Deep Teal

 

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Supporting Workers, Employers & WHS Professionals

  • Workforce wellbeing programs

  • Specialist WHS training pathways

  • Community engagement initiatives

  • Diversity and inclusion

  • Public trust and transparency

Delivers: A strong, supported WHS workforce Colour: Olive Green

OUTCOME TILE

THE FUTURE‑READY SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA

✔ Safer workplaces across all industries ✔ Stronger national WHS capability ✔ A modern, resilient WHS workforce ✔ Better national coordination ✔ A fairer, healthier, more productive Australia

COSTING TILE SUMMARY (MATCHING FWO FORMAT)

TILE 1 — BASELINE FUNDING

$0.22B per year National WHS policy, data, research, education, governance.

TILE 2 — PHASE 1 (Years 1–2)

$0.36B – $0.52B Stabilise systems, strengthen WHS coordination, improve access.

TILE 3 — PHASE 2 (Years 2–4)

$0.78B – $1.02B Expand capability, modernise WHS systems, strengthen protections.

TILE 4 — PHASE 3 (Years 4–6)

$0.68B – $0.88B Grow sovereign WHS capability, expand national reach.

TILE 5 — PHASE 4 (Years 6–10)

$1.68B – $2.24B Fully modern, integrated, climate‑resilient WHS system.

TILE 6 — PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Workforce wellbeing, specialist WHS training, community engagement, inclusion.

TILE 7 — TOTAL INVESTMENT

6‑Year: $3.14B – $3.74B 10‑Year: $5.80B – $6.86B

 

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