NSW launches four-year plan to tackle workplace sexual harassment

NSW Launches Four-Year Plan to Tackle Workplace Sexual Harassment

SafeWork NSW has launched its first four-year strategy to combat workplace sexual harassment, giving employers a clear roadmap for building safer, more respectful workplaces across the state.

Through this plan, businesses will be educated on their duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment from happening, alongside the need to put in place measures that protect workers' health and wellbeing.

What the Strategy Covers

The new four-year strategy focuses on practical support for businesses navigating prevention duties. Rather than treating harassment as an isolated issue, SafeWork NSW frames it within broader occupational health and safety obligations.

Key elements include:

• Guidance for businesses on identifying harassment risks before they escalate
• Resources supporting safety teams tasked with implementing prevention measures
• Education addressing both sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination in the workplace
• Collaboration with a dedicated work taskforce established to inform ongoing policy development

SafeWork NSW thanked all stakeholders who "provided their valuable insights to inform the Strategy," acknowledging their input shaped a plan grounded in real workplace experience.

Why This Matters for Employers

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said, "Everyone deserves to have a workplace which is free from bullying, harassment and all forms of discrimination. Through this Strategy, SafeWork NSW will help equip NSW businesses to create safer and respectful workplaces."

For organisations across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, this signals a shift toward proactive risk management. Safety leaders should expect increased scrutiny of prevention frameworks, meaning documented policies and procedures will carry more weight during compliance reviews.

Businesses seeking to align with this strategy can strengthen their approach with a workplace sexual and gender-based harassment prevention plan, paired with a robust workplace sexual harassment policy to formalise expectations and reporting pathways.

Building on Prior Initiatives

This announcement follows NSW's earlier efforts, including its inaugural SafeWork event on combatting sexual harassment and the formation of a new advisory group addressing sexual harassment in NSW workplaces. Together, these initiatives reflect sustained government commitment to workplace safety reform.

Mental health support also features prominently within this broader push. Employers can review dedicated mental health policies and plans to ensure psychological wellbeing sits alongside physical safety in workplace planning, particularly given links to NSW's separate funding commitment to address psychological hazards.

Practical Support for Businesses

SafeWork NSW's approach recognises that businesses need more than awareness campaigns; they require actionable tools. Support extends to:

• Templates helping smaller businesses without dedicated HR resources
• Guidance on integrating harassment prevention into existing safety management systems
• Access to advisory resources for ongoing compliance support
• Sector-specific support tailored to industries with elevated risk profiles

Professionals wanting hands-on learning opportunities can also connect with peers at the Workplace Health and Safety Show, where sessions often cover emerging compliance topics including harassment prevention frameworks.

Learn More

Curtin's comments reinforce that respect and safety go hand in hand within modern workplace culture. As this four-year strategy rolls out, businesses that act early on prevention will be better positioned to support staff wellbeing while meeting evolving safety expectations.

Learn more here about SafeWork NSW's ongoing initiatives and available support for employers navigating these changes.