Ashurst‘s workplace health and safety practice houses a ‘very strong team‘, which is well known for representing a wide range of major domestic and international corporations and businesses in high-profile health and safety prosecutions. Team head Lea Constantine is well known for handling investigations, inquests and inquiries, while Perth-based Julia Sutherland is very experienced in advising public sector entities on workplace fatalities. In Brisbane, James Hall regularly acts for state and local government entities. Stephen Woodbury, Scarlet Reid, Ian Humphreys and Jacqui Brinckmann are key practitioners to note.

The workplace health and safety practice at Clyde & Co LLP has a broad geographic footprint in Australia, with the team often instructed in investigatory work, cybersecurity matters and criminal prosecutions. Under the leadership of Alena Titterton, the group also regularly advises on contract matters, as well as major health and safety incidents in the infrastructure sector.

Led by Shae McCartney, the workplace health and safety team at Clayton Utz has a solid track record in acting for a client roster of public and private sector entities and mining, construction, and manufacturing sector companies. The group's workload includes handling prosecution management, industrial relations, incident response, policy review and compliance matters. McCartney has established strength in advising on safety-related issues, and Hilary Searing handles harassment and discrimination cases.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s workplace health and safety team is sought after for its expertise in advising on compliance matters, workplace fatalities, the safety-related aspects of commercial agreements, and safety governance issues. The group has particular strength in acting for clients in the mining sector. The practice is jointly led by John Tuck, Stephen Price and Nick Le Mare. Other key names in the team include Giacomo Giorgi, Kirsty Faichen, who assists with psychosocial hazards management, and special counsel Marie Costa, who advises on regulatory issues and prosecutions.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP' workplace health and safety team stands out for advising a broad range of corporate and financial clients on the full gamut of WHS matters. The practice is jointly led by the quintet of Steve Bell, who has expertise in handling risk management issues; Aaron Anderson, who acts as health and safety counsel to clients in the mining sector; Nicholas Ogilvie, who represents major clients in the aviation sector in industrial relations matters; Nerida Jessup, an expert in advising on safety issues pertaining to major construction projects in the energy sector; and Anna Creegan, whose workload includes regulatory cases. Miles Bastick is another name to note.

Kingston Reid's broad national offering, with partners based in all major Australian cities, allows the team to regularly represent a diverse range of public and private sector clients. The group is well-versed in advising corporate entities on the development of compliance frameworks and safety management systems. The practice is jointly led by the quartet of Duncan Fletcher, John Makris, Brendan Milne and Liam Fraser; Michael Stutley and special counsel Erica Elliott are other key names to note.

Catherine Dunlop leads Maddocks' workplace health and safety team, which garners praise for its 'deep working knowledge' and excellent track record in advising the Commonwealth and other government bodies on, among other areas, criminal prosecutions and psychosocial risk management. Dunlop is well versed in advising healthcare clients on cases involving alleged health and safety breaches, while Bruce Heddle regularly advises on sensitive sexual harassment and discrimination matters. Amber Davis and newly promoted partner Dale McQualter have expertise in advising on serious workplace incidents.

With a solid track record in acting for clients in the energy and resources sectors, the workplace health and safety team at Norton Rose Fulbright is well versed in advising on psychosocial risk management. Compliance expert Katherine Morris heads up the practice, and is sought after by major engineering and construction companies, while Martin Osborne advises on a broad range of investigatory matters. Nicki Milionis acts for government and public sector clients in risk management matters, as well as advising on serious safety incidents in the railway and infrastructure sectors.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP‘s team stands out for its ‘expansive knowledge of the sector‘, and offers clients assistance across the full range of workplace health and safety issues. Key areas of instruction for the group include advising on incident management and prosecutions. The practice is jointly led by the trio of managing partner Darren Perry, Paul Cutrone and Penny Stevens. Sarah Goodhew and counsel Nicholas Neil often handle litigation brought under the Work Health and Safety Act, often for clients in the mining sector. Newly promoted partner Marissa Dreher is very experienced in acting for regulatory authorities.

Allens‘ team offers support to a broad client roster of corporate, commercial, and energy entities on workplace health and safety proceedings, including investigations and fatal workplace incidents. Simon Dewberry co-heads the practice with Samantha Betzien, who fields expertise in advising on compliance and risk management. Emma Gillman‘s ‘depth of knowledge and experience is excellent‘.

The WHS team at K&L Gates is well equipped to advise corporate, commercial, and energy sector clients on a wide spectrum of safety regulatory matters. The group's workload includes handling regulatory investigations, incident response and psychosocial risk management. Paul Hardman has expertise in assisting clients in the agriculture sector with prosecutions arising from fatal incidents; he co-heads the practice with Dominic Fleeton and Stephen Hardy. Alanna Fitzpatrick regularly represents clients in the retail, construction and aviation sectors in workplace investigations.

King & Wood Mallesons has a strong track record in handling the full gamut of WHS governance issues. Andrew Gray often acts for asset and global infrastructure managers in the space, with experience in advising on major workplace safety incidents; he co-heads the practice with Philip Willox, who handles industrial relations matters and regulatory compliance work. Other key names in the team include Ruth Rosedale, who is sought after for her expertise in advising on sexual harassment and discriminatory matters and workplace compliance issues, often for companies in the construction industry. Cilla Robinson joined from Clayton Utz in August 2024.

The workplace health and safety team at McCullough Robertson regularly acts for public sector clients and regulatory entities in mandates. Sydney-based Amber Sharp co-heads the practice with Tim Longwill in Brisbane, and Nathan Roberts is very experienced in handling litigious matters and acting as counsel to railway sector entities. Kate Peterson and the 'outstanding' Cameron Dean are key contacts.

Minter Ellison's WHS practice is praised as 'market-leading in expertise and experience'. Trent Forno acts for individual clients in prosecutions, and co-heads the department with the 'extremely knowledgeable' Deanna McMaster. Other key areas of instruction for the group include advising on serious workplace incidents, sexual discrimination claims and psychosocial risk management. Craig Boyle is 'very thorough and always available'.

At Piper Alderman, the WHS team's 'strength lies in its comprehensive understanding of complex WHS regulations and its ability to provide clear, actionable advice'. Under the joint leadership of Tim Capelin and Shane Entriken, the group has a solid track record in assisting engineering and manufacturing companies with workplace investigations arising from serious incidents. Andrew Jonklaas advises clients in the mining and manufacturing industries on compliance matters.