The Work Health and Safety (Health and Safety Fund) Bill 2026 will establish a new Health and Safety Fund which will be managed by SafeWork SA and used to support initiatives which improve work health and safety outcomes.

Fines and expiation fees under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012, the Dangerous Substances Act 1979, and the Explosives Act 1936 will be directed into the Fund, instead of going to general consolidated revenue.

Over the past 4 years more than $6 million in penalties has been imposed by courts for breaches of work health and safety laws.

The Fund will be used to support health and safety initiatives from a wide range of stakeholders including business associations, trade unions, health and safety professionals, and research organisations.

The SafeWork SA Advisory Committee will be consulted in the preparation of guidelines identifying priority areas for application of the Fund.

This is consistent with outcomes of the independent review of SafeWork SA in 2022 which recognised the importance of SafeWork SA working in partnership with stakeholders to deliver improved safety outcomes.