Incident Notification: What Australian Businesses Must Know

Under Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, businesses are legally required to record and report workplace hazards, injuries, and incidents. However, knowing exactly what to report, and to whom, can be confusing.

What Is a Notifiable Incident?

A notifiable incident is a serious workplace event that must be reported to your WHS regulator. This includes:

• The death of a person
• A serious injury or illness
• A dangerous incident that exposes someone to serious risk, even if no one is injured

When and How to Notify

If a notifiable incident occurs, you must:

• Immediately call SafeWork on 13 10 50—available 24/7
• Preserve the incident scene until an inspector arrives or provides direction
• Provide first aid and ensure the injured person receives appropriate care
• Record the incident in your register of injuries
• Notify your workers’ compensation insurer within 48 hours

Preserving the scene does not prevent you from helping the injured, removing a deceased person, making the site safe, or assisting police or inspectors.

Why It Matters

Failing to notify a notifiable incident can lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Prompt reporting ensures compliance, supports investigations, and helps prevent future harm.

For more information, visit SafeWork NSW’s Incident Notification page.

In an emergency, always call 000. For notifiable incidents, contact 13 10 50 immediately.

For all other help, contact our team to discuss.