Janet Schorer Appointed Inaugural SafeWork NSW Commissioner

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With SafeWork NSW becoming a standalone regulator on 1 July, the state government has appointed an inaugural SafeWork NSW Commissioner responsible for overseeing policy, compliance, best practices and meaningful engagement with workers, unions, businesses and the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group (FISWAG).

The new commissioner, Janet Schorer, brings more than 27 years’ experience from key public sector agencies including the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Family and Community Services.

Among her many key responsibilities will be a focus on preventing and managing silica and other dust related diseases associated with tunnelling projects in NSW.

The appointment follows the NSW Government’s 2025-26 Budget announcement to strengthen the state’s work health and safety regulator with a $127.7 million investment over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards and compliance and enforcement of safe work practices.

The establishment of SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator ensures SafeWork NSW will become a strong, robust and fit-for-purpose regulator capable of effectively securing safer and healthier workplaces in NSW, said NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis.

“Community engagement is paramount to supporting decision-making and I look forward to working with workers, representatives from employer organisations, unions, support groups and people with lived experiences to ensure people are going to the safest possible workplaces,” said Schorer.

“The safety and wellbeing of every worker in NSW is of utmost importance and with my career focused on driving reform to improve lives particularly for vulnerable groups, I look forward to continuing SafeWork NSW’s work to strengthen its systems and practices.”

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Janet Schorer Appointed Inaugural SafeWork NSW Commissioner - AIHS, July 2025