Advance OHS has made a submission to the NSW Parliament’s 2026 Review of the Work Health and Safety Scheme, drawing on our experience as an approved provider of Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training in New South Wales.

The review, conducted by the NSW Parliament’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice, focused on the rights and roles of workplace Health and Safety Representatives, as well as workplace health and safety training, education and support for apprentices.

Our Submission

Advance OHS has trained thousands of HSRs across a wide range of industries. Through this experience, we have seen firsthand the importance of providing HSRs with a strong understanding of their role, responsibilities and statutory powers.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) , HSRs have a range of important functions and powers. These include representing workers on WHS matters, monitoring compliance, investigating safety complaints and, in certain circumstances, issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and directing unsafe work to cease.

Our submission highlights that many HSRs commence their initial training with limited knowledge of the extent of their role and legal authority. By the completion of the five-day HSR Initial Training Course, participants typically develop a much stronger understanding of the WHS legislative framework, consultation requirements and how their HSR powers can be exercised appropriately in the workplace.

Greater Clarity Around HSR Training

A key issue raised in our submission is the need for greater clarity around HSR training requirements in NSW.

Our submission argues that the current framework, under which training is provided when requested by an HSR, can result in inconsistency. We have recommended greater legislative clarity around requiring elected HSRs to complete approved training.

In our experience, appropriate training plays an important role in ensuring HSRs understand the WHS legislative framework, their consultation responsibilities and how to exercise their statutory functions effectively and lawfully.

Advance OHS’s submission was published as Submission No. 1 to the inquiry and was received by the Committee on 30 December 2025.

The Committee’s final report was tabled on 15 September 2026, with the NSW Government response due by 15 December 2026.

Read the Advance OHS submission:
Advance OHS – Submission No. 1

View the NSW Parliament inquiry:
2026 Review of the Work Health and Safety Scheme