Safe Work Australia has launched National Safe Work Month 2026, encouraging workplaces across the country to consider practical measures for improving worker health and safety.
This year’s campaign, Safe work is for life, focuses on preventing workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities while highlighting the longer term impact that workplace harm can have on workers, families and communities.
Why workplace safety matters
The first week of National Safe Work Month is focused on the theme For life: why WHS matters.
Safe Work Australia is encouraging employers and workers to consider the purpose behind work health and safety and the role individuals can play in creating safer and healthier workplaces.
The campaign promotes the integration of work health and safety into everyday decisions about how work is planned, managed and carried out.
Supporting practical improvements
The campaign supports the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023 to 2033, which sets out a national vision of safe and healthy work for all.
Safe Work Australia has produced a National Safe Work Month activity kit to help organisations discuss workplace safety, identify hazards and consider practical improvements that could prevent harm.
The resources are intended to encourage conversations about what safe and healthy work means within individual organisations.
Focus on psychosocial safety
The opening phase of National Safe Work Month also coincides with World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
Safe Work Australia is encouraging workplaces to use the occasion to consider psychosocial health and safety alongside physical workplace risks.
National Safe Work Month will continue throughout October, providing organisations with an opportunity to review their approach to workplace health and safety and identify measures that can reduce the potential for work related harm.
