Janet Schorer has been appointed Commissioner of SafeWork NSW, effective from 14 July.
Schorer brings a background as a registered nurse and over 27 years of experience from key public centre agencies — including the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Family and Community Services — to the organisation, which is NSW’s health and safety regulator.
Employing over 750 staff, SafeWork NSW functions to protect the health and safety of the state’s workers by engaging with businesses, employees and the community at large to prevent work-related fatalities and serious injuries.
As incoming Commissioner, Schorer will address policy, compliance best practices and meaningful engagement with various stakeholders in her role, like the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group (FISWAG).
Speaking on her undertaking of the role, Schorer expressed deep gratitude for and commitment to the job.
“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 our workplaces secure, safe and healthy,” she said.
“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 utmost 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.”
Among her key responsibilities will be a focus on preventing and managing silica and other dust related diseases associated with tunnelling projects in the state.
Schorer’s appointment follows the NSW Government’s 2025-26 Budget announcement to strengthen the state’s work health and safety regulator with a $127.7 million investment over the next four years, to address psychological hazards, compliance and safe work practices.
The target reform is part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package, strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces.
