Companies seeking guidance on specific company or audit scenarios should contact the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner at ofsc@dewr.gov.au.

Further information is available through:

State and Territory safety Regulators:

COVID-19 Update - Current OFSC Audit Operations - 23 August 2021

The current outbreak of the Delta strain of COVID-19 around Australia is the most challenging phase of the pandemic we have faced so far. The building and construction industry, like many other sectors of the economy, has been hard hit by the Delta strain. To do our part to limit the risk of spreading the Delta strain, the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) is continuing to modify its on site audit arrangements. Our modified arrangements adopt a risk-based approach to auditing while still ensuring accountability for overseeing the safety of accredited companies.

COVID-19 Update - OFSC Resuming Victorian Audits - 6 November 2020

The Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, has announced an easing of restrictions across Victoria, with the latest of those due to commence from 8 November 2020. From this time, Victorians are able to undertake intrastate travel, with no restriction on the number of workers on building sites, the number of sites attended, or any requirement for a permit to travel for work.

Consistent with this easing of restrictions, and to ensure the continued health and safety of workers on Victorian building and construction sites, the OFSC will be resuming WHS Accreditation Scheme audits in Victoria.

COVID-19 Update - Revised OFSC Audit Arrangements in Victoria - 7 August 2020

A message from the Federal Safety Commissioner, David Denney:

As the COVID-19 situation in Melbourne and greater Victoria continues to evolve and alter the way work in the building and construction industry is done, it’s important that the operations of the OFSC continue to reflect the broader changes happening in industry.

Considering current medical advice and having reviewed safety risks to workers of accredited companies and to Federal Safety Officers (FSOs), I advise that the OFSC will further modify its audit activities in Melbourne and across Victoria until COVID-19 restrictions ease.

COVID-19 Update - Victoria OFSC Audits - 8 July 2020

The Victorian Government has announced Stay at Home Directions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 July until 11.59pm on Wednesday 19 August to help stop the spread of COVID-19 following the renewed outbreak in Melbourne. As always, the OFSC is mindful of the need to balance preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 with the critical need to ensure worker safety. As such, the OFSC will temporarily adjust its audit program in the lockdown region in line with program adjustments made during the height of the pandemic.

COVID-19: WHS Accreditation Scheme Auditing Update - 29 May 2020

The Federal Safety Commissioner has announced updates to the temporary adjustments introduced on 27 March 2020 to OFSC operations and audits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes as Governments across Australia are taking steps to ease COVID-19 restrictions, based on the latest health advice. In line with the easing of restrictions and the move by some state/territory regulators to return to their proactive audit regimes, the OFSC will also begin a transition back to a full onsite audit program.

Supporting the Mental Health of Workers During COVID-19 - 19 May 2020

Managing the mental health of workers is an ongoing challenge for the building and construction industry. The added pressures of COVID-19 restrictions have the potential to negatively impact the mental health of workers, particularly physical distancing and isolation measures. Changes to the way work is done during the pandemic can also be a source of angst for many. This article provides some references to websites may be provide useful for building and construction companies aiming to minimise mental health risks for workers.

Q & A with Lendlease - a building and construction company's management of COVID-19- 13 May 2020

The OFSC spoke with Lendlease Building’s Head of Environment, Health and Safety, Ross Trethewy regarding the company’s management of COVID-19 as the pandemic emerged, and the steps they took in the wake of two confirmed COVID-19 cases on one of their worksites.

Special OFSC Industry Reference Group (IRG) Meeting - Examples of COVID-19 Response Actions - 13 May 2020

The FSC’s Industry Reference Group (IRG) held a special meeting late last month to exchange information and experience in managing COVID-19 in the building and construction industry.

COVID-19: Information and Practical Guidance for Accredited Companies - 17 April 2020

Federal Safety Commissioner, David Denney, has published practical guidance for accredited companies on minimising the spread of COVID-19 onsite in line with the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme.

Minimising the risk of COVID-19 on your Building and Construction sites - 31 March 2020

Minimising the risk of COVID-19 exposure introduces new safety risks on building and construction sites. Industry specific advice on dealing with these risks is available on the SWA website.

COVID-19 Update - Impact on OFSC Operations - 27 March 2020

The FSC has introduced temporary changes to the audit processes used by the OFSC in administering the WHS Accreditation Scheme. These adjustments have been made to help complement the nation-wide effort to combat COVID-19 while continuing the essential work of the Scheme which aims to ensure that building and construction workers get home safely every day.