ACT Public Service and Public Sector Strategy

The ACT Public Sector (ACTPS) is the largest and most diverse group WorkSafe ACT regulates, with over 27,000 workers. This represents 12% of ACT’s total workforce. The ACTPS has broad responsibilities, including the management of parks, greenfield and brownfield construction developments, public transport, fire and ambulance services, municipal services, health, education and justice systems.

WorkSafe ACT compliance and enforcement and workers’ compensation data shows that the ACT public sector can do more to improve work health and safety (WHS) outcomes.

The Strategy          

WorkSafe ACT launched the ACT Public Service and Public Sector Strategy on 18 October 2023

It provides a clear approach for us to improve work health and safety behaviours and compliance in the ACT Public Sector.

The Strategy’s objectives are to:

• increase the knowledge within the ACTPS/public sector of WHS and broaden its understanding of WorkSafe ACT’s role.
• embed good WHS practice in all work across all ACTPS and public sector workplaces.
• secure ACTPS and public sector stakeholder commitment to improve compliance rates, and
• enforce compliance.

Priority areas of focus

The Strategy focuses on the most common hazards leading to workers’ compensation claims. In the ACTPS and public sector these are:

It also puts a focus on high risk workgroups identified through analysis of workers’ compensation data and WorkSafe’s inspection activities.

Evaluation

WorkSafe ACT is committed to evaluating and reporting on its activities to support its strategic initiatives. This will be achieved through yearly reviews of implementation and a final evaluation report for the life of the Strategy.

The progress of the Strategy will be reported in WorkSafe ACT’s Annual Reports from 2024 onwards.

Further information:

• ACT Public Service and Public Sector Strategy [Word Document]
• ACT Public Service and Public Sector Strategy [PDF]