October is National Safe Work Month - Safe Work is for Life

Safe Work Australia has announced the theme for National Safe Work Month 2026: Safe Work is for Life. 

Held each October, National Safe Work Month is a time for workplaces across Australia to focus on safe and healthy work for all. In 2026, the campaign will highlight that Work Health and Safety (WHS) is about more than preventing harm in the moment – it’s about protecting workers’ lives, health and future. 

Safe work is for life reflects the fundamental purpose of WHS: to prevent work-related death, injury and illness, while also recognising the long-term impact workplace harm can have on workers, families, businesses and communities. 

188 workers tragically lost their lives due to traumatic injuries in 2024, and there were 146,700 serious workers’ compensation claims in the 2023/2024 year. That’s more than 400 serious claims per day across Australia.

Each of these numbers represents a life altered by a workplace incident that could have been prevented.

Safe Work Australia says work should never cost someone their life, their health, or their ability to live fully outside of work. Every worker deserves to return home safely, and every workplace can make a meaningful difference through genuine consultation, proactive risk management, and sustained long-term commitment to safety.

This October, Safe Work Australia will provide resources and practical tools to support workplaces to reflect on what Safe work is for life means for them and to take action to reduce serious injuries, illnesses and fatalities in Australian workplaces – for life. Be sure to subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media for all the latest news.

IMAGE: AI generated by MyEdit