SafeWork NSW visited 200+ workplaces in May and June 2026 and issued 80+ improvement notices. On 9 October they launched their biggest psychosocial compliance operation yet. Here’s the seven-point checklist every blue-collar employer needs to be inspection-ready — and where most small contractors currently fall short.

The average psychosocial injury claim in NSW has nearly doubled in five years to $288,542 — and that's just the direct cost. Hidden costs run three to ten times higher. From 1 July 2026, employers also pay the first two weeks out of pocket. Here's what a claim actually costs a small contractor, and what it costs to prevent one.