Conference

Workplace Health & Safety Law Conference

Practical strategies on WHS law reform, compliance, accountability, and risk management

Tuesday 24 November 2026 | Sydney & online

The Workplace Health & Safety Law Conference 2026 brings together Australia's leading workplace safety lawyers, regulators, employment law specialists, and industry experts to examine the legal, regulatory, and practical issues shaping today's workplace landscape. Taking place on 24 November 2026 in Sydney and online, this essential event provides timely insights into the latest developments in workplace health and safety law, compliance, governance, and risk management.

As workplace safety obligations continue to evolve, organisations face growing scrutiny around psychosocial hazards, industrial manslaughter laws, AI-driven workplace risks, and emerging digital work system regulations. Designed for WHS professionals, legal counsel, HR leaders, executives, and compliance specialists, the conference delivers practical strategies to help organisations navigate reform, strengthen governance, and reduce legal exposure.

Attendees will gain valuable guidance from some of Australia's most respected WHS legal practitioners on critical topics including psychosocial risk management, workplace investigations, officer due diligence, contractor and supply chain safety, regulator powers, and enforcement trends. Through expert-led sessions and real-world case studies, delegates will learn how to respond confidently to evolving workplace safety challenges while building more resilient and compliant organisations.

Whether you work in workplace safety, law, human resources, risk, governance, or executive leadership, this conference offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of legislative change, understand emerging enforcement priorities, and network with peers committed to improving workplace health and safety outcomes across Australia.

Register now

Date
Tuesday 24 November 2026

Time
9 am - 4:40 pm AEDT

Location
Sydney & online

Early Bird pricing*
$699 excl. GST

Standard pricing
$799 excl. GST

Online pricing
$749 excl. GST

*Early bird pricing ends 9 October 2026

Earns 6 CPD points

Benefits to attending

Preparing your organisation for future WHS reforms

Avoid workplace safety prosecutions

Learn how to respond if there has been an incident

Find out about emerging case law and enforcement priorities from regulators

Due diligence obligations for officers and directors

Understand the real-world consequences of failing to manage workplace risks

Who should attend

Health and Safety, WHS and OHS Managers   

Risk Managers

Wellbeing Managers

Human Resources Directors, Human Resource Manager and Advisor

Employee Relations Managers, People & Culture Managers, HR Business Partners

WHS Lawyers, Employment Lawyers and In-house Counsel

Speakers  

Albert Khouri, Special Counsel, MinterEllison

Albert Khouri
Special Counsel, MinterEllison

Greg McCann, Partner, HWL Ebsworth

Greg McCann
Partner, HWL Ebsworth

Harold Downes, Partner, Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety, Mills Oakley

Harold Downes
Partner, Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety, Mills Oakley

Kate Curtain, Special Counsel, Kingston Reid

Kate Curtain
Special Counsel, Kingston Reid

Katherine Morris, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

Katherine Morris
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

Kelly Ralph, Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy

Kelly Ralph
Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy 

Michael Selinger, Partner, Holding Redlich

Michael Selinger
Partner, Holding Redlich

Michael Tooma, Partner, Hamilton Locke

Michael Tooma
Partner, Hamilton Locke

Nathan Roberts, Partner, McCullough Robertson

Nathan Roberts
Partner, McCullough Robertson

Stephen Hardy, Partner, K&L Gates

Stephen Hardy
Partner, K&L Gates

Event agenda  

Please note: Agenda subject to change

Registration [ Opens at 8:30 am ]

9 am - 9:05 am

Welcome from Conference Chair

9:05 am - 9:45 am

Managing psychosocial hazards: Legal compliance and building psychologically safe workplaces

9:45 am - 10:25 am

WH&S Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Act: New legislation, new liabilities - understanding the new laws is critical for all businesses

Morning tea and networking [ 35 mins ]

10:50 am - 11:30 am

The legal implications of the impact of AI on psychosocial health

11:30 am - 12:10 pm

Industrial manslaughter category 1 offences: Legal, operational, and reputation implications

Lunch [ 50 mins ]

1 pm - 1:40 pm

Contractor, labour hire and supply chain safety

1:40 pm - 2:20 pm

Workplace investigations following serious incidents  - Legal and regulator pitfalls

2:20 pm - 3 pm

Officer due diligence and WHS governance  - Building governance systems to reduce prosecution risk

Afternoon tea and networking [ 20 mins ]

3:20 pm - 4 pm

Understanding regulator and inspector powers - WHS Act notices, self-incrimination & admissibility of evidence

4 pm - 4:40 pm

Enforcement trends: Learning from recent prosecutions

Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference

Frequently asked questions

What is the Workplace Health & Safety Law Conference?

The Workplace Health & Safety Law Conference is a one-day event taking place on 24 November 2026 in Sydney and online. It brings together leading WHS lawyers, and employment law specialists to deliver practical guidance on the most pressing safety compliance issues of 2026, including psychosocial hazard management, industrial manslaughter laws, and the new WH&S Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Act. Attendance earns 6 CPD points.

Can I attend online if I can't make it to Sydney?

Yes. The conference is available both in-person in Sydney and as a live online stream. Online attendance is priced at $749 excl. GST. You'll receive the same practical content and earn 6 CPD points regardless of how you attend. If you register for online, you'll also receive access to the recording afterwards, available for 12 months.

What if I can't make the date?

Not to worry. You can still register for the online event and get access to the full recording, available for 12 months after the conference. This means you can watch the sessions at a time that suits you.

What topics are covered at the 2026 conference?

The 2026 conference covers ten sessions across the day, including psychosocial hazard management, the WH&S Digital Work Systems Act, AI's legal implications for psychosocial health, industrial manslaughter offences, contractor and supply chain safety, workplace investigations, officer due diligence and governance, regulator and inspector powers, and enforcement trends. Each session is delivered by a specialist WHS or employment lawyer.

How many CPD points will I earn?

Attending the full conference, either in Sydney or online, earns 6 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The conference runs for around 6.5 hours of live content, with networking breaks throughout the day.

How do I register or get more information?

You can register via the Register Now button on this page. For any event enquiries, contact the Thomson Reuters events team at eventsanz@thomsonreuters.com.

Stay ahead of WHS law reform and strengthen your organisation's compliance. Register now for Sydney or online.

Contact us

Attendee inquiries: eventsanz@thomsonreuters.com