The Minns Labor Government has appointed Janet Schorer as its inaugural SafeWork NSW Commissioner to further strengthen its efforts to protect workers.
Ms 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.
Commencing her career as a registered nurse, she has been able to apply her passion for the wellbeing of vulnerable communities throughout her work history. More recently she served as the Chief Delivery Officer for TAFE NSW where she delivered exceptional learner experiences as part of its Strategic Plan 2022-25.
With SafeWork NSW becoming a standalone regulator on July 1, the incoming Commissioner will address policy, compliance, best practices and meaningful engagement with workers, unions, businesses and the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group (FISWAG) to make for a stronger and more robust organisation.
SafeWork NSW is the state's work health and safety regulator with more than 750 staff, providing a vital role in protecting the health and safety of workers in NSW by engaging with businesses, workers and the NSW community to prevent work-related fatalities and serious injuries.
A National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Ms Schorer was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2019. She is also Vice President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) NSW.
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 Minns Labor Government has introduced several measures to keep workers safe from dust related diseases.
They include establishing a new Expert Taskforce to oversee and help address silica related health risks for workers in tunnelling projects.
While on January 1, 2025, the Minns Labor government led the ban on the importation of engineered stone products to protect the future health and safety of workers.
The national import ban covers engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent.
The appointment follows the NSW Government's 2025-26 Budget announcement to strengthen the state's work health and safety regulator with a major $127.7 million investment over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards and compliance and enforcement of safe work practices.
The targeted reform is part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package, strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces.
Ms Schorer's appointment follows an extensive recruitment process. She will take up her role as Commissioner from Monday, 14 July 2025.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"The establishment of SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator and the appointment of a new Commissioner reflects the Minns Labor Government's commitment to preventing workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses.
"The new structure will ensure SafeWork NSW will become a strong, robust and fit-for-purpose regulator capable of effectively securing safer and healthier workplaces in NSW.
"I would like to congratulate Janet Schorer on her appointment and also thank Dr Petrina Casey for her efforts while serving in the role as Acting SafeWork NSW Commissioner."
SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:
"I am honoured to be joining SafeWork NSW as we take our first step towards reshaping the agency into the strong and robust regulator needed to make workplaces secure, safe and healthy.
"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.
"The safety and wellbeing of every worker in NSW is of upmost 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."
