Safe Work Month 2023: Week 1 - Vulnerable Workers

Welcome to week one of Safe Work Month 2023!

Here is a quick overview on what WorkSafe ACT has been up to.

Vulnerable Workers

WorkSafe ACT's focus for week one of Safe Work Month is Vulnerable Workers, including young workers, workers' compensation and labour hire licensing. Vulnerable workers are at high risk of harm in workplaces and require specific considerations to keep them safe and healthy at work.

Who is a Vulnerable Worker?  

A vulnerable worker includes:

+ a young worker aged up to 25 years

+ a migrant or visa worker, particularly where English is not their first language

+ someone starting a new job

+ someone who is LGBTQIA+

+ someone changing careers

+ someone re-entering the workforce after a break

+ someone who is taking on a new role or task for the same employer

See our website for more information and resources on vulnerable workers.

Workers’ compensation

Vulnerable workers statistically have a much higher likelihood of being injured at work. Vulnerable workers may also be unaware of their rights to workers’ compensation and how they should be supported if they are injured at work.

WorkSafe ACT works to ensure employers have the right workers’ compensation insurance and to support vulnerable workers to understand their rights. This includes ensuring workers are protected both through payment of medical costs and support in returning to work.

We have updated our web content and also published a Workers' Compensation FAQs document. The FAQ document will also be translated into other languages in 2024.

Labour hire licensing

Labour hire licensing laws are in place to protect vulnerable workers in labour hire employment. These laws ensure that workers employed in labour hire arrangements are supported and protected by their employers, including by ensuring they hold workers’ compensation insurance and meet all workplace obligations and responsibilities.

For more information on Labour hire licensing in the ACT, please visit the WorkSafe ACT labour hire licence page.

Safety Session 

Each week in Safe Work Month we are holding a Safety Session. They are a great opportunity to have a chat with the friendly WorkSafe Inspectors and get answers to any work health and safety questions you have. Please come along, grab a poster or some merchandise and hear how to keep our vulnerable workers safe in the workplace.

Our first safety session is tomorrow. Please come along and say hi!

When: Friday 6 October 2023

Time: 10:30am – 2:00pm

Where: Gungahlin Town Centre

How you can get involved

We’re asking businesses, employers, workers and the ACT community to join us in celebrating Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy practices for all workers, all workplaces.

There are lots of ways you can get involved, including:

On this page