WHS Radar
Project aims
Delivering regular and actionable insights about WHS in an Australian context.
The Centre has launched the National WHS Radar, an initiative that will deliver the latest insights on work health and safety in Australian workplaces twice a year.
The National WHS Radar will empower Australian regulators, academics, and leaders to take a proactive approach to WHS, informing existing and future policies, practices, and research projects.
How does it work?
Every six months, the Centre’s Research Team will delve into a range of new WHS data and evidence.
The team will incorporate data from these five streams:
- existing data, including incidents, worker’s compensation, ABS, and prosecutions
- analysis of grey literature
- social media listening
- nationwide survey of WHS inspectors and experts
- nationwide survey of Australian workers across all industries
The Team will then analyse and synthesise this information into reports that will be made publicly available.
What’s the benefit?
This type of reporting has never been done at this scale and frequency in Australia.
The evidence and guidance that the National WHS Radar Reports will deliver relevant, local, and current information into the hands of the people who can effect real change, and ultimately create safer workplaces in Australia.
What comes out of it?
The latest reports will be shared every six months, and you can access all the reports below. You can also access and filter data captured through our national survey by visiting the Australian WHS Survey Dashboard.
WHS Radar – Spring 2023
Highlights include:
- Our consultations indicated continuing impacts of the worsening economy on the priority placed on safety, regarded as nice to have if you can afford it, with many examples of WHS shortcuts and cost cutting.
- In response to workforce challenges, several research and industry bodies have explored factors valued by workers when choosing (or choosing to stay with) an employer.
- While the debate on a ban of engineered stone products containing crystalline silica continues, uncontrolled processing has been made explicitly prohibited in the model WHS Regulation.
- There has been an increased focus on the prevention of sexual harassment which has led to the development of several new guidelines and resources.
Australian WHS Survey - Spring 2023
Highlights include:
- A total of 1,493 participants completed the survey between 1st and 31st August 2023, an increase of nearly 50% from the 2023 Autumn Edition.
- Female workers, young workers, and those working in small/micro businesses were the groups found most likely to experience sexual harassment.
- Participants felt more confident about the WHS systems and practices in place in their workplace, and about their workplace’s commitment to WHS, in comparison to the previous edition.
- Two out of three participants reported working from the office/multiple work site(s), which is an increase compared to the 58.8% found in the Autumn 2023 Edition.
Previous editions
If you would like updates on the reports, head to our Engage with us page.