Comcare charges government agency following employee attack

Comcare Charges Government Agency Following Employee Attack

A federal government agency faces a single charge for allegedly breaching work health and safety obligations after a violent assault on a worker at a Melbourne office.

Following a Comcare investigation, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has lodged a charge claiming the agency failed to meet duties set out under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).

What Happened During the Incident

On 23 May 2023, a worker sustained severe injuries after being stabbed by a person during the attack. This worker assault raised serious questions about risk controls and safety measures in place at the office.

Comcare's investigation found the agency did not meet its primary health and safety obligation to "ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers" under section 19(1) of the WHS Act.

Why Psychosocial Risk Matters Here

Violent incidents like this highlight psychosocial risk exposure faced by employees in public-facing roles. Agencies delivering frontline services must assess psychosocial hazards alongside physical safety risks, since both contribute to overall workplace harm if left unmanaged.

Comcare's charge underscores a broader responsibility for Commonwealth entities: safety obligations under work health legislation extend beyond physical hazards to cover risk from aggressive or violent behaviour encountered while providing services to the public.

Case Details and Next Steps

Court proceedings are scheduled for mention at Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on 1 July 2025. Comcare has pursued similar action before — see our coverage of Comcare charging a government department following serious injury to a child and Defence facing charges over an employee's death, both of which reflect ongoing scrutiny of safety compliance across federal agencies in Australia.

Strengthening Safety and Risk Management

Organisations delivering public services should regularly review their emergency response arrangements for violent incidents. A well-documented plan reduces risk exposure and supports faster, safer responses when threats arise.

Consider these steps to strengthen safety systems:

• Review and update emergency response procedures for physical attacks, such as our Emergency Response Procedure (Physical Attack) template
• Train staff on recognising warning signs before incidents escalate
• Provide clear guidance to workers through resources such as a Worker Handbook outlining safety expectations and reporting pathways
• Assess psychosocial hazards as part of routine risk reviews, not as an afterthought

Agencies and businesses offering customer-facing services — from real estate to healthcare — can also benefit from tailored safety documentation, such as our Real Estate Agency SWMS Pack, to help manage site-specific risk.

Read more here.