A comprehensive list of Australian workplace health and safety (WHS) events, awards and related campaigns in 2019.

If there is an event or campaign not covered below that is relevant to OHS in Australia, please comment with the details at the end of this article and we’ll take a look.

Safety Australia Group Mock Trials | Various locations and dates

Throughout the year, Safety Australia Group will hold workplace health and safety (WHS) mock trials in different cities, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to see how laws are practically interpreted and the potential impact this could have on an organisation, including vulnerabilities and areas for improvement.
safetyaustraliagroup.com.au/events

National Safety Awards

Entries open: 4 March 2019
Entries close: 14 June 2019
Awards gala: 17 October 2019, Sydney

The National Safety Awards celebrate people and organisations that promote workplace health and safety, and demonstrate continuous business improvement. Eight award categories exist and all individuals and organisations may enter, regardless of industry or business size. Entries open on 4 March 2019 and close on 14 June 2019, with judging occurring from June to August.
nationalsafetyawards.com.au

OHS Leaders Summit | Sofitel, Brisbane | 13–14 March 2019

The OHS Leaders Summit is an event for health and safety leaders, featuring industry thought leaders, international and local expert keynote presenters, the opportunity for 1-to-1 private meetings between buyers and sellers, roundtable discussions with small groups and personalised programs for attendees based on their interests. Speakers in 2019 include representatives from Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, NASA Johnson Space Centre, Caltex Australia and Woolworths Group.
ohsleaders.com.au

Back to the Future of Injury Management Conference | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre | 19–20 March 2019

The Back to the Future of Injury Management Conference is an employer-focused event bringing together stakeholders and specialists on the topic of improving injury management outcomes in the workplace. Topics covered include injury prevention, health, wellness, safety and rehabilitation.
injurymanagement4u.com.au

WorkCover WA Conference | Pan Pacific Hotel, Perth | 8–9 May 2019

The WorkCover WA Conference has a focus on workers’ compensation and injury management matters. The 2019 theme is Facing Forward and keynote speakers include an occupational stress expert, an inspirational speaker, a social researcher, a psychology professor and an injured worker. Conference topics will also include mental health, cultural intelligence, and risk and claims management.
facingforward.workcover.wa.gov.au

#SAFETYSCAPE Convention | International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney | 22–23 May 2019

Back for its second year after its inaugural 2018 convention, #SAFETYSCAPE includes a host of events, workshops, forums, seminars and conferences hosted by various safety organisations. It provides attendees with the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other health and safety professionals, and to hear about the latest developments and research in WHS. Notable events throughout the two-day convention include the SIA National Health & Safety Conference and the Workplace Health & Safety Show (see below), as well as various networking events.
safetyscape.org.au

SIA National Health & Safety Conference (#SAFETYSCAPE Convention) | International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney | 22–23 May 2019

The SIA National Health & Safety Conference is held as part of the #SAFETYSCAPE Convention, alongside other events, including the Workplace Health & Safety Show. The 2019 conference will explore the theme ‘Back to the future’, with both national and international speakers addressing and setting the agenda for the future of safety. It provides an opportunity for attendees to discuss current challenges to work health and safety, as well as hear about new ideas, innovations, research and leadership. Early bird registrations close 24 March 2019.
sianationalconference.com.au

Workplace Health & Safety Show (#SAFETYSCAPE Convention) | International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney | 22–23 May 2019

The Workplace Health & Safety Show is also held during #SAFETYSCAPE and is the official trade show of the convention, showcasing the latest WHS products, services and technology. With a focus on live, interactive two-way learning, the show offers seminars, live-action theatre, demos and feature areas covering safety solutions for a wide range of industries.
whsshow.com.au

Safety First Conference & Expo | Sydney Showground and Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre | May 2019

The Safety First Conference & Expo is a free event featuring workshops, drop in sessions and an expo for business owners and managers looking to protect their organisations and people from safety risks. The conference has a specific interest in WHS in industries, such as mining and resources, manufacturing, engineering, technology and research, infrastructure, building and construction, transport, distribution, logistics, materials handling and warehousing, bulk handling, and energy generation, distribution and transmission. 2019 dates unannounced at the time of writing.
safetyfirstexpo.com.au

NSW Regional Safety Conference & Expo | Wests City NEX, Newcastle West | 4–5 July 2019

The NSW Regional Safety Conference & Expoprovides an opportunity for regional businesses to network with their peers and hear from global, national and local speakers presenting on a range of topics, including general workplace safety, mental health, hygiene, wellbeing, resilience, technology and leadership. The exposition will feature discounted products, industry representatives, competitions and demonstrations, as well as the opportunity for attendees to test out products and speak directly with company representatives.
nswsafetyconference.com.au

NSW Mining HSEC Conference | Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley | 5–7 August 2019

The NSW Mining HSEC Conference brings together policy experts and decision-makers to address mining issues in the areas of health and safety, the environment and the community. There will be a range of topics, covering areas such as risk, communications and safety, rehabilitation, community engagement and mine closure planning.
swmining.com.au/events/nsw-mining-hsec-conference-and-awards-dinner

Queensland Mining Industry Health & Safety Conference | The Star, Gold Coast | 18–21 August 2019

The Queensland Mining Industry Health & Safety Conference includes five keynote speakers, 10 innovation awards finalists, 40 presentations and 61 trade displays, making it a key event for the state industry. While the event theme and program were not announced at the time of writing, videos and slides from the 2018 conference are available on the website and covered health and safety topics such as tyre failure, disease prevention, helicopter rescue and the use of drone technology.
qldminingsafety.org.au

National Skills Week | 26 August–1 September 2019

National Skills Week seeks to highlight the importance and value of apprentices and trainees, as well as the status of practical and vocational learning. Events aim to showcase career pathways, as well as trainee skills and talents. Organisations can arrange their own activities and events throughout the week that celebrate practical and vocational training. In past years, events have included open days, meet and greets, workshops, exhibitions, career expos and competitions.
nationalskillsweek.com.au

SAFETYconnect | Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne | 28–29 August 2019

SAFETYconnect is a two-day, dual stream conference and exhibition run by the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) Foundation and featuring more than 40 vendors. It includes papers from local and international experts, as well as the latest products, services and technology for the WHS sector. The conference is aimed at WHS and business professionals from a wide range of industries, including transport, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, utilities and more. The two keynote speakers are Professor Vincent Ho, from The Institute of Occupational Safety & Health, Hong Kong, and Patrick Clifton, the head of Health, Safety and Laws at the Australian Football League.
safety-connect.com.au

SIA Visions Conference | Oaks Oasis Caloundra, Sunshine Coast | 28–30 August 2019

The Visions Conference is held by the Queensland SIA branch is a workshop, conference and networking event providing safety professionals with the opportunity to meet with their peers while experiencing contemporary safety solutions showcased by industry professionals. Presentations and talks are intended to address how theory translates into real-life work.
visions.org.au

Safety in Action | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre | 10–11 September 2019

The Safety in Action event features three conferences held concurrently, the Safety in Action Conference, Workplace Wellness Conference and Return to Work Conference, with delegates able to switch between streams to suit their own needs. The event also includes an exhibition of WHS products, services and technology, alongside seminars on major projects and innovations, and mental health and wellbeing.
safetyinaction.net.au

Perth Safety Symposium | Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley | 4 October 2019

The Perth Safety Symposium is held by the WA SIA branch and this year will have the theme ‘SafetyGenX:M: 2020 and beyond – Health and Safety in the next decade is about people!’ Speakers will address how they are managing risk into the next decade by focusing on people. Presentations are designed to include practical applications that attendees can add to their ‘toolbox’ of health and safety risk management.
sia.org.au/events/perth-safety-symposium-0

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