SafeWork NSW is to be subject to an independent review of its operations, culture, and governance following legislative reforms that abolished WorkCover NSW in 2015.
WorkCover NSW was replaced by three Agencies, with the work previously done by WorkCover now managed by either SafeWork, icare or the State Insurance Regularity Authority (SIRA).
Announced by the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Victor Dominello, SafeWork NSW is the only one of the three entities that has not been independently reviewed since the reforms came into effect seven years ago.
“For that reason, a review of the operations of SafeWork NSW is now appropriate,” Mr Dominello said.
“This review will look at issues raised in recent weeks and provide the Government with independent insights that will be both powerful and instructive.”
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Customer Service and Head of SafeWork NSW, Natasha Mann expressed her support for the independent review.
“SafeWork NSW plays a vital role in protecting the health and safety of workers in NSW,” Ms Mann said.
“It is important we ensure SafeWork NSW is performing its role as the State’s workplace health and safety regulator as effectively as possible.”
Mr Dominello appointed retired Supreme Court judge, Robert McDougall to carry out the review.
He said Mr McDougall previously reviewed iCare and SIRA in 2020-21 and would now turn his attention to the operations, culture, and governance of SafeWork NSW.
The Minister said the review would be separate from the Auditor-General Margaret Crawford’s performance audit, scheduled for 2023.
Mr Dominello said that while he welcomed SafeWork NSW being added to the Auditor-General’s audit program, Ms Crawford was not expected to hand down her findings until late next year.
“Mr McDougall’s review provides an opportunity to get started now and can more fulsomely cover issues such as culture than is possible through the performance audit,” Mr Dominello said.
Further information on Mr McDougall’s review into SafeWork NSW, including the terms of reference, timeline and process for making submissions is expected to be available shortly.
