Darren Kavanagh has been appointed chairperson of the Seacare Authority for a five-year term which commenced 22 January 2026.
Mr Kavanagh brings extensive experience in workers' compensation and work health and safety, including as:
- commissioner of WorkSafe Western Australia (2018-2023)
- member of Safe Work Australia (2019-2023)
- board member of WorkCover WA and the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health WA.
Mr Kavanagh's appointment follows an initial three-month term as acting chairperson, which began on 22 October 2025 after the expiry of Barry Sherriff's term of appointment.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth has thanked Mr Sherriff for his valued service as chairperson of the Seacare Authority over a decade, from 2015 to 2025.
Mr Kavanagh was selected through an expression of interest process conducted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The chairperson is the accountable authority for the Seacare Authority under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and holds office on a part-time basis for up to five years.
The Seacare Authority is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992. It oversees the operation of the Seacare scheme, a workers' compensation and work health and safety scheme covering a specified section of the Australian maritime industry.
The authority comprises a chairperson, deputy chairperson, two employer representatives, two employee representatives, and the CEO of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
