Ashurst’s workplace health and safety practice is a market leader nationally, advising both public and private sector clients, including federal and state government bodies in NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia. The team, led by Lea Constantine, frequently acts for large corporations in major safety incidents, including fatalities and coronial inquiries, and is often engaged to brief boards on officers’ WHS duties and liabilities. Scarlet Reid, a former SafeWork NSW prosecutor, adds strong regulatory expertise to the group. James Hall departed the team in 2025.
Labour and employment: workplace health and safety (WHS) in Australia
Ashurst
Praxisleiter:
Lea Constantine
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Scarlet Reid
Referenzen
‚Scarlet Reid and her team are experts and wonderful to deal with. Scarlet has unique experience in advising on regulatory matters, which is demonstrated every time we engage her. Her ability to cut through the issues and deliver a clear, practical way forward is exceptional. I have no hesitation in recommending her team for all WHS matters.‘
‚Scarlet Reid delivers exceptional, high-quality advice. She easily adapts to different audiences, and her careful approach is greatly appreciated. We heavily rely on her experience, and she delivers each time. The service we receive is outstanding.‘
‚The team are cohesive and efficient. Information is shared so that there are no gaps if one member is tied up with other work. They function seamlessly and always maintain a strong client focus.‘
Kernmandanten
NSW Government
NSW Health
University of NSW
Lendlease
Coronado
Anglo American
Alcoa of Australia Limited
Boral
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted Western Sydney Local Health District with the defence of a landmark psychosocial risk prosecution and achieved a successful outcome involving the withdrawal of the matter by SafeWork NSW following three weeks of hearing and the calling of 20 witnesses.
- Advised the Queensland Government on rail safety, electrical safety, and work health and safety in its role as the party commissioning the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (which will build 65 new six-car passenger trains at a purpose-built manufacturing facility).
- Acting for Anglo American Steelmaking Coal in relation to an underground methane gas ignition incident on 29 June 2024, which suspended production at its Grosvenor Mine in Queensland.
Clayton Utz
Clayton Utz offers a comprehensive workplace health and safety practice, covering officer duties, compliance audits, safety training, and support for workplace incidents, investigations, and regulatory matters. The team is also adept at managing prosecutions, coronial inquiries, and WHS litigation, including negotiations with regulators and prosecutors. Shae McCartney leads the team and is highly regarded across both public and private sectors.
Praxisleiter:
Shae McCartney
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Hilary Searing
Kernmandanten
Qenos
Australian Catholic University
Suburban Rail Loop
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Qenos on the partial collapse of its main cooling water tower at a major hazard facility, including leading the workplace health and safety investigation, liaising with regulators and experts, engaging with insurers, and advising on third-party claims.
- Advising the Suburban Rail Loop Authority on industrial relations and safety matters, including strategy, compliance with the Building Code and safety laws, contractual and industrial provisions, right of entry, and rail safety national law.
- Assisted Australian Catholic University with an investigation attracting significant publicity over disclosure of confidential and governance information, including coordinating experts and investigators and advising on complex governance, reporting, and employment issues.
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s workplace health and safety practice advises clients across the energy and resources, aviation, fast food, and public sectors. The team is led by Nick Le Mare, who is regularly engaged in enterprise bargaining, litigation, investigations, and critical incident safety management, while Marie Costa is highly regarded for her expertise in criminal law and regulatory matters. The practice was further strengthened in 2025 with the arrivals of special counsel Dimity Leahy and senior associate Mark Grdovich.
Praxisleiter:
Nick Le Mare
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Marie Costa; Dimity Leahy; Mark Grdovich
Kernmandanten
SRG Global
Alleseas
Western Power
Glencore
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising SRG on a major construction site incident in Western Australia for the Australian Navy, where a worker was exposed to a risk of death and suffered serious harm.
- Advising Allseas on safety issues relating to offshore decommissioning, including whether platforms constitute a ‘facility’ under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth) and the extent of the national safety regulator’s jurisdiction.
- Represented Western Power successfully before the Work Health and Safety Tribunal in a claim under new anti-discrimination provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA).
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP’s group advises on a wide spectrum of matters, including industrial relations planning, workplace transitions, health and safety frameworks, litigation, and the rising area of director liability. The practice is led by Steve Bell, global managing partner for employment, industrial relations and safety, who is frequently engaged in crisis management matters. Sydney-based lead Nerida Jessup is recognised for her expertise in psychosocial regulations, while Brisbane’s Aaron Anderson focuses on prosecutions and enforcement. Practice heads Natalie Gaspar in Melbourne and Olga Klimczak in Perth are also highly regarded.
Praxisleiter:
Steve Bell; Nerida Jessup; Aaron Anderson; Natalie Gaspar; Olga Klimczak
Kernmandanten
BHP
Bank of Queensland
Origin
Peabody
Suncorp
Coles
Snowy Hydro
Chevron
Jetstar
Allegro
Highlight-Mandate
King & Wood Mallesons
King & Wood Mallesons advises on the full spectrum of workplace health and safety matters, with notable expertise in compliance, risk management, prevention strategies, and incident response. The practice is jointly led by Sydney-based Andrew Gray, a respected advocate in cases arising from serious incidents, and Melbourne-based John Tuck, who frequently acts in regulatory inquiries and integrity-related matters.
Praxisleiter:
Andrew Gray; John Tuck
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jade Saunders; Annamarie Rooding; Alex Armstrong-Miller; Angela Webber
Referenzen
‚Angela Weber and Alex Armstrong-Miller are extremely knowledgeable and professional. Their client-centred approach means nothing is ever too much trouble.‘
‚KWM invested the time to understand the intricate nuances of our industry and organisation, the complexities of the matters, and the outcomes we were seeking to achieve. They worked alongside us and were transparent in their communication, ensuring we were always informed about the different options and potential outcomes.‘
‚Annamarie Rooding is easy to deal with. You feel like you are working with a colleague rather than external counsel, which is refreshing. Her combination of significant in-house and private practice experience is a real strength.‘
Kingston Reid
Kingston Reid’s full-service workplace health and safety practice, led by managing partner Alice Deboos, advises clients across the engineering and construction, mining, transport, electricity, retail, food delivery, and financial sectors, as well as government enterprises. John Makris guides clients through regulatory investigations, prosecutions, and coronial proceedings, while Michael Stutley supports with managing post-incident compliance and minimise operational risks. Erica Elliott is a standout litigator with deep WHS expertise.
Praxisleiter:
Alice DeBoos; Duncan Fletcher; Steven Amendola; Shelley Williams
Weitere Kernanwälte:
John Makris; Michael Stutley; Erica Elliott; Brendan Milne; Michael Mead
Referenzen
‚John Makris leads an exceptional team that provides timely, accurate, and concise reports which are easy to understand and follow.‘
‚They understand our business and provide advice that is clear and commercial.‘
‚Erica Elliot is one of the keenest-minded members of the team. She can deconstruct any issue and provide comprehensive solutions to almost anything a business is likely to encounter.‘
Kernmandanten
Ausgrid
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Acciona Construction Australia
Air Services Australia
Ampol
Australian Fresh Produce Alliance
Australian Taxation Office
Berkshire Hathaway
BGC (Australia)
Big Hill Cranes Pty Ltd
BlueScope Steel
Built
Capricorn Metals Limited
Captain Heath Daniel
Pilbara Ports Authority
Catholic Schools NSW
City of Perth
Coates Hire Operations Pty Ltd
CBRE
Clinical Laboratories (WA)
Coles
ComfortDelGro
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Compass Group
CPB Contractors
CRE Insurance
Crown Resorts
CSR Limited
Cubic Transportation Systems and Cubic Defence
De Grey Mining
Department of Defence (Cth)
Department of Employment & Workplace Relations
Department of Health and Aged Care (Cth)
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Communications
Dnata Airport Services
DP World
Downer Group
Endeavour Energy
Engage Marine
Ernst & Young
Essential Energy
Experience Co
Fire and Rescue NSW
First Sentier Investors
Flinders Ports
Fortescue Metals Group
Fredon
Fuji Xerox
George Weston Foods
Glad Group
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Healius
Hearing Australia
Hutchison Ports
iDrilling Australia
IGO
Illawarra Retirement Trust
Invocare
Jet Aviation
John Holland
Keolis Downer
Leidos
LGT Crestone Wealth Management
MACA
Macquarie Bank
MEGT
Menulog Pty Ltd
Metcash
Metro Trains Melbourne
Metro Trains Sydney
McConnell Dowell Constructors
Mondiale VGL
Newmont Mining
NRW Civil and Mining
NSW Commissioner of Police
NSW Government
NSW Department of Education
NSW Police Force
NSW State Government Litigation Fund (SICorp)
NSW Ministry of Health
Nuheara
Opal Healthcare
Opal Packaging
OSM Thome
Otis Elevator Company
Pacific National
Port Authority of NSW
Port of Newcastle
Qenos
Rehabilitation Injury Management
RACWA
Ramsay Health Care
Serco Australia
Riverside Marine Group
Seven Group Holdings
Seven West Media
Shed Enterprises
Simplot Australia
Southern Cross Electrical Engineering
SRG Global
Steggles
St John Ambulance WA
Sydney Trains
NSW Trains
TAFE NSW
Teekay Shipping (Australia)
Tanda
Tianqi Lithium Kwinana
Toll Transport
Toll Holdings
Toyota Finance Australia
Transdev
Transgrid
Transport for NSW
TriCare
UGL
University of Newcastle
University of New England
University of Western Australia
Ventia
Visy
Victorian Government
Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Water NSW
Wesbeam
Webuild S.p.A
Wesfarmers
Western Australian Government
Western Sydney Airport
Westfund Health Insurance
WesTrac
Whole of Australian Government (legal services panel)
World Vision Australia
Yara Pilbara
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented Wesbeam, a major manufacturing company, in one of the first Category 1 safety prosecutions since the amendment of Western Australia’s workplace health and safety laws.
- Advises governments at a local, state, and federal level on major incidents and the developing area of psycho-social safety compliance.
- Supported Fortescue with significant workplace health and safety compliance projects in collaboration with government to reinforce positive industry standards for psycho-social wellbeing.
Maddocks
Maddocks’ workplace health and safety team advises federal, state, and local bodies on high-stakes workplace matters, including incidents, fatalities, and toxic work environments. Led by Catherine Dunlop, the team handles everything from industrial accidents and fires, to workplace harassment and bullying cases, with Bruce Heddle providing litigation and investigation expertise to assists clients with managing compliance, regulatory, and risk challenges effectively.
Praxisleiter:
Catherine Dunlop; Bruce Heddle
Referenzen
‚I have engaged Catherine Dunlop multiple times over the last ten years at all agencies I have worked at. This is because she consistently provides excellent services, including legal advice, general queries, and Executive and Board-level training on WHS and due diligence obligations. She is highly respected by all Executives she has presented to and has been asked to return again and again.‘
‚Catherine Dunlop demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and a willingness to dedicate the time required to understand the agency and its specific requirements. This ensures that her presentations and legal advice are both informed and targeted.‘
‚Catherine Dunlop is professional, but what truly stands out is the rapport she builds and the sense of trust she creates through the way she conducts herself and the time she gives to you individually.‘
Kernmandanten
Services Australia
Commonwealth and Victorian State Government entities
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Victoria Police
Australian Sports Commission
Various NSW Councils
Inner West Council
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for Services Australia in an investigation arising from the Robodebt scheme.
- Advising the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet on occupational health and safety and workplace health compliance.
- Advising Macquarie Group Limited on how to structure complex and time-sensitive commercial transactions.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright provides expert workplace health and safety advice on psychosocial risk matters, and its client roster includes companies that are active in the energy transition space, as well as the renewables, rail, construction, and infrastructure industries. Led by Katherine Morris, the team develops compliance systems and manages regulatory enforcement actions around sensitive matters. Nicki Milionis advises on serious incident responses, prosecution defence, and enforcement notice reviews across the energy, infrastructure, transport, and resources sectors. The February 2025 hire of Harry Kinkead further strengthens the team.
Praxisleiter:
Katherine Morris
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Nicki Milionis; Harry Kinkead; Martin Osborne
Referenzen
‘Encyclopedic knowledge of the area. Timely and usefully commercial advice.’
‚Katherine Morris and her team consistently provide measured and practical advice which is responsive to our ever-changing regulatory landscape. Katherine and her team are a joy to work with and our preferred provider of legal services within this specialisation.‘
‚Nicki Miolonis is receptive, attentive and meets guidelines as required. She is commercially and legally astute. She is able to take information quickly and to respond within required timeframes. It is obvious to an outsider that she has an effective and supported team around her. She is always approachable and contactable when necessary. She also follows up with us if we have missed something. I value her honesty and integrity. Working with her is a pleasure always.‘
Kernmandanten
5B
Allied Pinnacle
Ampol
Canadian Solar
Centennial Park and Moore Park
Chevron
Civeo
Costa Group
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Endeavour Energy
Essential Energy
Goodman
Greater Sydney Parklands Trust
HiQ
Honda
JBS Australia
Kyle Road Developments
Laing O’Rourke
McConnell Dowell
NSW Local Health District
NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Schindler Lifts Australia
Service Stream
Snowy Hydro
Thales
UCB Australia
Vestas
Veolia
Victoria Police
Windlab
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, with managing partner Darren Perry at the helm, is a boutique employment firm whose workplace health and safety practice is led by Paul Cutrone (Sydney) and Penny Stevens (Melbourne). The team is recognised for managing public interest matters, board governance issues, and reputational risks, with Cutrone specialising in compliance, investigations, enforcement, and litigation, and Stevens advising clients active in the logistics, manufacturing, and construction industry.
Praxisleiter:
Darren Perry; Paul Cutrone; Penny Stevens
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Mary Kington
Referenzen
‚Seyfarth Shaw delivers high-calibre legal advisory services, consistently aligning matters with the expertise best suited to the task and ensuring optimal support at all times.‘
‚Paul Cutrone, a senior member at Seyfarth Shaw and a remarkable legal professional, consistently exemplifies excellence in his field. As our key legal contact, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and insight, presenting relevant case law with clarity and purpose. His ability to identify strategic opportunities and frameworks within our collaborations has enriched our legal understanding and inspired our team of responsible professionals.‘
‚The team is very experienced and responsive. They have extensive expertise in fatal injuries, are skilled in dealing with regulators and boards, and provide astute advice in an efficient and professional way. They are friendly, approachable, and never overservice, so fees are consistent with expectations.‘
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented International Health and Medical Services in a prosecution under the Commonwealth WHS Act 2011 following a detainee’s death at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.
- Advised the NSW Minerals Council on submissions regarding the proposed NSW industrial manslaughter offence and consultation on WHS Regulations.
Mills Oakley
The team at Mills Oakley is jointly led by Harold Downes, who advises on WHS compliance and crisis management; Rob Humphreys, who specialises in incident response; Ross Levin a key port of call for clients in the construction, forestry, and agricultural sectors; Laura Sowden, who is noted for her work on professional indemnity policies and related claims; Patrick Walsh who focuses on workers’ compensation and disputes involving self-insured employers; and Sophie Cleveland, who routinely handles workplace investigations and dismissals.
Praxisleiter:
Harold Downes; Rob Humphreys; Ross Levin; Laura Sowden; Patrick Walsh; Sophie Cleveland
Referenzen
‚The team provides excellent advice pertaining to WHS matters. Their advice is practical and commercially centred. The team also appears to have a good culture, which as a client, workplace culture and behaviour is an important requirement in our business partners. The team are very responsive and their turnaround time is excellent.‘
‚Rob Humphreys and the wider team provide sound advice, are commercially astute and practical, and very responsive.‘
‚Harold Downes and his WHS team are outstanding. Their experience and approach in the WHS area, in particular, in the coal sector and more generally resources is unmatched. The team includes people with mining experience who seek to fully understand the facts surrounding an event before developing a solution. Excellent attention to detail and look for the best solution.‘
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised South32 Limited on numerous WHS matters, including several extensive compliance projects
- Advised Gold Fields Australia on numerous serious and sensitive workplace safety incidents.
- Advised Rio Tinto on a fatality involving a contractor’s worker.
Allens
Allens’s workplace health and safety team routinely advises companies and boards on establishing effective safety frameworks and ensuring officer compliance with due diligence obligations. Simon Dewberry leads the practice and handles complex safety, employment, and industrial relations matters, while Samantha Betzien is recognised for her work in compliance, investigations, prosecutions, and coronial inquiries.
Praxisleiter:
Simon Dewberry
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Samantha Betzien; Veronica Siow
Referenzen
‚Samantha Betzien has exceptional industry knowledge and experience, and she is a trusted adviser to our business. I would recommend her without hesitation.‘
‚Veronica Siow has a long and well-established relationship with our business and a deep understanding of both operational and commercial drivers. She demonstrates very high levels of client support and is always available when needed.‘
‚Both Samantha Betzien and Veronica Siow are personable, approachable, and responsive, often making themselves available outside business hours when required.‘
Highlight-Mandate
K&L Gates
K&L Gates maintains a strong practice across sport, health, education, government, retail, professional services, and agriculture. The team is led by Melbourne-based Michaela Moloney, who is highly respected for her knowledge in employment, industrial, and discrimination law. Alanna Fitzpatrick is a recognised ‘stand-out practitioner’, advising on critical incident responses and ensuring compliance with safety obligations.
Praxisleiter:
Michaela Moloney
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Alanna Fitzpatrick
Referenzen
‘Alanna Fitzpatrick and her whole team are wonderful to deal with – quick, responsive, very knowledgeable and really fantastic client care.‘
‚They get results and are very easy to work with.’
‘Alanna Fitzpatrick is a stand-out practitioner! She really gets to know you as a client and is very commercial.’
Kernmandanten
Australia Football League
BlueScope Steel Limited
Cricket Australia
Essendon Football Club
EBOS Group
Infosys Technologies Ltd
Master Builders Association of Victoria
Murrays Australia
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Victoria University
Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented the Royal Melbourne Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Australia, in the Federal Court of Australia in an urgent application by a surgeon to return to work after having been stood down by the Hospital pending an investigation into his conduct.
- Advising Cricket Australia on employment law and workplace safety matters, as well as across other legal areas including intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate and leasing, and corporate governance.
- Advising the Master Builders Association of Victoria on compliance with specific aspects of Victoria‘ occupational health and safety legislation, including in relation to workers‘ compensation, incident responses, safety prosecutions, and submissions to government.
McCullough Robertson
McCullough Robertson’s employment team is active across the public and private sectors, regularly supporting government bodies on policy and legislative reform while also advising clients that are active across the health, transport, aged care, and education sectors. The practice is co-led by Sydney-based Amber Sharp, a workplace litigator with extensive experience in discrimination, termination, and investigation matters, and Brisbane-based Tim Longwill, who is particularly noted for guiding care providers through complex regulatory frameworks in both residential and home care settings.
Praxisleiter:
Amber Sharp; Tim Longwill
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Tom Reaburn; Karl Christensen; Cameron Dean; Nathan Roberts
Referenzen
‚They are very professional in their initial engagement. A partner took the time to develop the scope of work with care and attention.‘
‚Tom Reaburn is excellent to deal with. He is very professional, engages confidently with a wide cross-section of people, and has in-depth knowledge of WHS, which he conveys clearly and effectively.‘
‚The team are highly educated and knowledgeable, and they deliver advice in a timely manner.‘
Kernmandanten
Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited
Snowy Hydro Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited in relation to the derailment of a NSW Trains’ XPT train, which resulted in the death of two workers, as well as injuries to crew and passengers.
- Representing Snowy Hydro in making a section 426 application in the Fair Work Commission to suspend anticipated protected industrial action in relation to a power station.
MinterEllison
Minter Ellison is a trusted adviser in high-stakes workplace health and safety matters, providing comprehensive support from incident response through to regulatory engagement and litigation. National head Deanna McMaster, a recognised WHS expert, advises executives and boards on managing personal liability and navigating serious incidents such as workplace fatalities, while Craig Boyle is noted for guiding clients through regulatory enforcement actions and safety-related industrial disputes.
Praxisleiter:
Kristy Edser; Deanna McMaster
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Craig Boyle; Jim Fox; Harriet Eager
Referenzen
‚Deanna McMaster truly understands our business tailoring her advice as required to not only mitigate legal risks, but to address any reputational and stakeholder issues.‘
‚Craig Boyle has taken the time to build strong and trusted relationships across our business. This ensures we receive consistent, specialist advice that reflects the challenges faced by our different teams. His communication is transparent and responsive, and he provides practical, tailored solutions. Craig has also workshopped strategies with us at very short notice.‘
‚Their client-centric approach is remarkable. They have taken the time to understand the deep complexities of our large business. Cross-disciplinary expertise between the WHS team and sector specialists has added important niche advice. Their guidance is timely, legally skilled, practical, and easy to apply in business operations.‘
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising a theme park operator on a fatal incident.
- Advised multiple construction and mining clients on the defence of prosecutions and investigations arising from fatal workplace incidents.
- Advising a global real estate and facilities management company on a serious electrical incident that occurred at a data centre site under its management.
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman is a go-to firm across a range of sectors, with particular strength in advising clients from the heavy industries, such as mining and energy, as well as employer associations, regulators, and government bodies. The practice is led by Shane Entriken, who has an outstanding track record in handling union matters, disputes, litigation, and workplace fatalities.
Praxisleiter:
Shane Entriken
Referenzen
‚Shane Entriken has a lot of experience and explains the concepts in simple terms.‘
‚Experienced team.‘
‚Highly experienced, strong relationships with other stakeholders.‘