From 1 July 2026, SafeWork NSW Codes of Practice will become mandatory compliance benchmarks rather than just guidance. This will have a profound impact on workplaces covered by the PSA CPSU NSW.

Employers will be obliged to adopt the approved Code of Practice or demonstrate a higher standard of risk management. New codes covering Healthcare and Social Assistance and Fatigue Management, including safe rostering, will be enforced.

“The changes significantly strengthen the legal weight of codes, requiring proactive adoption, not just consideration,” said PSA CPSU NSW Industrial Manager Dylan Smith. “While high-risk sectors such as construction and healthcare are top priorities for these updated, legally binding standards, our members will still be covered by the new regime.”

“Areas that particularly affect our membership, such as fatigue and psychosocial risks, will be covered by several new and updated codes released in February 2026.”

Mr Smith said the union will not hesitate to take action under the new provisions. Registered industrial organisations, including unions, will have the power to initiate civil penalty proceedings for WHS contraventions after consulting with SafeWork NSW.

“Our members’ safety at work is of paramount importance,” he said.

Legislative amendments expand the powers of WHS entry permit holders, enabling them to access digital work systems, including emails, algorithmic tools and other digital platforms, when investigating suspected WHS breaches. The powers of WHS entry permit holders to require employers to provide reasonable assistance to access and inspect digital work systems will be subject to guidelines published by SafeWork NSW.