Safe Work Australia is a federal government agency established by the Safe Work Australia Act 2008 (Cth) and which commenced operation in 2009. The primary responsibility of Safe Work Australia is to improve work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.

Safe Work Australia is not a regulatory authority. It is a national policy body. Amongst other things, Safe Work Australia has been responsible for developing:

• the Model Work Health and Safety Act;

• the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations; and

• the model Codes of Practice.

Safe Work Australia has also been responsible for developing the new National Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022, as well as formulating guidance material and compliance and enforcement policies to support the model work health and safety legislation.

See Role and functions of Safe Work Australia.