IRC Seminar: Recent changes in the Work Health and Safety Jurisdiction – Civil and Criminal

IRC Seminar: Recent changes in the Work Health and Safety Jurisdiction - Civil and Criminal

Presenters: Justice Paingakulam, Commissioner O’Sullivan and Commissioner McDonald

The Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Act 2025 enacted changes to the Commission’s workplace safety jurisdiction, many of which took effect on 13 October 2025, but others do not commence until March or July 2026. 

This seminar will cover changes arising from the amending Act relating to:

1. the limitation period for commencing WHS Act prosecutions;
2. parties who can bring a WHS Act criminal prosecution;
3. the legal status of codes of practice;
4. notification of provisional improvement notices;
5. civil penalty provisions;
6. union entry powers;
7. union review rights; and
8. the new WHS disputes jurisdiction.

Enquiries