Have your say on key work health and safety issues

With the increasing focus on a digital economy, Safe Work Australia is calling for submissions on the use of crowd platforms, which are a type of digital labour platform that connect workers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs).

The focus on crowd platforms is a recognition of the increasing uncertainty regarding responsibility for work health and safety (WHS) in many work arrangements.

Crowd platforms are different to on-demand platforms. An on-demand platform operates through an algorithmic system and usually involves work involving the delivery of goods or services requested by end-users. By contrast, crowd platforms select workers from a pool of applicants who submit bids through the platform, with terms and negotiation often undertaken directly between the PCBU and worker.

Submissions on this area are open until 1 June and can be made here.

Contribution by you to WHS issues is an important way in which PCBUs and individuals can assist to improve safety outcomes in Australia.

Safe Work Australia, which is the peak national WHS agency, regularly consults with the public, workers and businesses on emerging WHS issues. Currently, consultation is also being conducted by Safe Work Australia into an ongoing issue – the use of quad bikes in the workplace.

More recently, Safe Work Australia concluded a lengthy consultation into best practice of the model WHS laws, with a report to be delivered to the WHS Ministers in August 2026. A summary of the consultation can be found here.

You can also access consultation hubs on all regulator websites to contribute in your state or territory.

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