The key functions of Safe Work Australia according to the Safe Work Australia Act are to:
(a) develop national policy relating to OHS and workers’ compensation
(b) prepare a model Act and model regulations relating to OHS and, if necessary, revise them:
(i) for approval by WRMC, and
(ii) for adoption as laws of the Commonwealth, each of the States and each of the Territories
(c) prepare model codes of practice relating to OHS and, if necessary, revise them:
(i) for approval by WRMC, and
(ii) for adoption as codes of practice of the Commonwealth, each of the States and each of the territories and made under laws of those jurisdictions that adopt the approved model OHS legislation
(d) prepare other material relating to OHS and, if necessary, revise that material
(e) develop a policy, for approval by WRMC, dealing with the compliance and enforcement of the Australian laws that adopt the approved model OHS legislation, to ensure that a nationally consistent approach is taken to compliance and enforcement
(f) monitor the adoption by the Commonwealth, states and territories of:
(i) the approved model OHS legislation as a law of those jurisdictions
(ii) the approved model OHS codes of practice as codes of practice of those jurisdictions, and
(iii) the approved OHS compliance and enforcement policy as a policy of those jurisdictions
(g) collect, analyse and publish data or other information relating to OHS and workers’ compensation in order to inform the development or evaluation of policies in relation to those matters
(h) conduct and publish research relating to OHS and workers’ compensation in order to inform the development or evaluation of policies in relation to those matters
(i) revise and further develop the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 released by WRMC on 24 May 2002, as amended from time to time
(j) develop and promote national strategies to raise awareness of OHS and workers’ compensation
(k) develop proposals relating to:
(i) harmonising workers’ compensation arrangements across the Commonwealth, states and territories, and
(ii) workers’ compensation arrangements for employers with workers in more than one of those jurisdictions
(l) advise WRMC on matters relating to OHS or workers’ compensation
(m) liaise with other countries or international organisations on matters relating to OHS or workers’ compensation, and
(n) perform such other functions that are conferred on it by WRMC.