On 4 July 2025, Safe Work Australia unveiled a landmark Model Code of Practice for the Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (opens a new window) (‘new Model Code of Practice’ or ‘the Code’).
The new Model Code of Practice marks a significant shift in work, health and safety (WHS) strategy, introducing an industry-specific approach to managing workplace health and safety risks in the healthcare and social assistance sectors.
Why the new Model Code of Practice matters
The healthcare and social assistance industry employs over 2 million workers, many of whom are female, older, and from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Despite their vital role in caring for others, these workers face the highest rate of work-related injuries in the country, with workers’ compensation claims more than double the national average.
Common injuries include, musculoskeletal disorders, slips, trips, and falls, as well as psychological injuries.
Hazards such as patient handling, violence and aggression, bullying, and fatigue are prevalent, especially in hospitals, aged care, disability support, and home-based care settings.
Key WHS Implications
The new Model Code of Practice provides practical guidance for duty holders, including employers, managers, and workers, on how to meet their legal obligations under relevant state and territory work health and safety legislation. It outlines:
1. Legal responsibilities
2. Risk management strategies, including using the hierarchy of control
3. Consultation requirements with workers and others
4. Industry-specific hazards and strategies to manage those hazards, including:
Hazardous manual tasks
Psychosocial hazards
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Work-related violence, aggression and harassment
Fatigue and environmental risks
Equipment and vehicle hazards
Legal and Compliance Impact
Once adopted by states and territories, the new Model Code of Practice will become a minimum benchmark for WHS compliance.
It will be admissible in court, meaning it can be used as evidence to determine what is “reasonably practicable” in managing risks.
Inspectors may also refer to it when issuing improvement or prohibition notices.
A Call to Action for Industry Employers
Marie Boland, CEO of Safe Work Australia, emphasises that worker safety must not be sacrificed for patient care. She urges leaders to use the new Model Code of Practice to foster a positive safety culture, stating:
“The choice between patient and worker safety is a false one. Worker safety is good for patients too.”
Next Steps for Organisations
To ensure compliance and protect your workforce, healthcare and social assistance providers should:
Download and review the Model Code of Practice for the Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (opens a new window)
Conduct a WHS audit/gap analysis
Evaluate your current systems against the Code’s recommendations. Review your incident and workers’ compensation claims data to identify risk trends.
Implement risk management strategies
Use the hazard and risk management strategies in the Code (or alternate but equally effective strategies) to ensure you are meeting the now recognised minimum standards in controlling common workplace risks.Review and update policies and safe work procedures
Align internal documentation with the Model Code of Practice guidance, especially around high-risk areas like hazardous manual tasks, work-related violence and aggression, and psychosocial hazards to ensure all workers know and understand work safely.
Engage leadership and frontline staff
Provide information, training, instruction and supervision to workers to embed the changes. Consider provision of information for CALD workers. Promote a positive culture of safety through consultation and leadership commitment.
Monitor legal developments
Stay informed as states and territories move to adopt the Code. Subscribe to your relevant state and territory work health and safety Regulator/s.
Find Out More
Lockton’s Community, Care and Education (CCE) specialty brings deep expertise and genuine commitment to the healthcare and social assistance sectors.
As risk and insurance specialists, our CCE team has dedicated WHS and Workers’ Compensation experts to help clients meet their obligations, enhance safety systems, and build operational resilience across healthcare and social assistance environments.
With deep sector knowledge and practical risk management strategies, we can provide tailored guidance to help you interpret the new Model Code of Practice, assess your current WHS systems, and align with regulatory requirements.
To explore how this support can be integrated into your operations, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The contents of this publication are provided for general information only. Lockton arranges the insurance and is not the insurer. While the content contributors have taken reasonable care in compiling the information presented, we do not warrant that the information is correct. The contents of this publication are not intended as a legal commentary or advice and should not be relied on in that way. It is not intended to be interpreted as advice on which you should rely and may not necessarily be suitable for you. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication.
