Work Safety and Injury Management
Charter of Partnership between Comcare and the ACT Public Service
ACT Public Service workers are covered for workers’ compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation
Act 1988 which is administered by Comcare in partnership with the ACT Government. A Charter of Partnership (the
Charter) has been developed between Comcare and the ACT Public Service which outlines the relevant roles and
responsibilities of the two organisations and the goals to be achieved in the injury management and rehabilitation of
injured workers.
Charter of Partnership Between Comcare and the ACT Public Service 2011-2013 [
PDF 1.3MB]
Accident/Incident Reporting
All work-related accidents/incidents or 'near misses' must be reported within 48 hours.
Incidents can now be reported on the new online ACT Government Accident/Incident Report (AIR) Form which can be
accessed by the link below.
You must report:
- injury/illness or death (includes third parties);
- dangerous occurrences;
- property damage;
- equipment/plant failure;
- harm to environment;
- theft or security issue.
The Workplace Health and Safety Policy Statement on Accident/Incident Reporting and investigation can be found at the
link below.
WHS-05/11 Accident/Incident Reporting and Investigation [ PDF 129KB]
Accident Report Form [ PDF 441KB]
FACT SHEET on the new Incident/Accident Report Form 
All workers in the ACT are covered under the Work Safety Act 2008 from 1 October 2009. This Act has replaced the
former Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989. This Act provides a legislative framework to secure the health, safety
and wellbeing of all workers in the Territory.
A new set of supporting regulations, the Work Safety Regulation 2009 also commenced operation on 1 October 2009.
Work Safety means the health, safety and wellbeing of people in relation to work.
Work Safety Act 2008 and Work Safe Regulation 2009
The Work Safety Act 2008 commenced for operation on 1 October 2009, replacing the Occupational Health and Safety
Act 1989. Further information can be found at the Office of Regulatory Services website .
The Work Safety Regulation 2009 was developed after ongoing consultation with the ACT Work Safety Council, a
tripartite industry body that advises the Minister for Industrial Relations. The Regulation provides additional detail on
specific work issues, such as workplace arrangements, facilities, licensing high risk work and performing manual tasks at
work.
ACT Work Safety Council
The Work Safety Council replaced the prior Occupational Health and Safety Council on 1 October 2009. Under the Work
Safety Act 2008, the Minister for Industrial Relations appoints Council Members on a part time basis for up to three
years.
The Council is comprised of thirteen members: four members representing employees, four members representing
employers, four other members appointed by the Minister and the ACT Work Safety Commissioner (formerly Occupational
Health and Safety Commissioner).
The Work Safety Council advised the Minister for Industrial Relations on Work Safety, Workers' Compensation and
Dangerous Substances legislation, approval of Codes of Practice and Protocols, Education and Training and promotion of
Work Safety.
A list of Work Safety Council members may be obtained by contacting the Office of Industrial Relations Work Safety
Policy team.
ACT Public Sector Work Safety Policies
ACT Public Service work safety policies are approved by the Commissioner for Public Administration and provide
information and practical guidance to assist public sector agencies and instrumentalities in meeting their workplace
safety responsibilities. For access to these policies see link below.
ACT Public Service OHS Policies
Contact Us
Email: oir@act.gov.au
