Minns Labor Government supporting businesses in Campbelltown to protect workers from gender-based harm
The Minns Labor Government is supporting businesses to protect workers from sexual harassment and gender-based harm in the workplace with inclusive workshops for businesses and workers, today in Campbelltown.
The Government is continuing its work to change attitudes and behaviours in workplaces through the “Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment Workshops,” which launched in March 2026.
Workplace sexual harassment occurs in every industry, with 1 in 3 Australians having been harassed at work, according to the Australian Human Rights Commission Respect@Work National Inquiry Report.
The workshops are jointly run by SafeWork NSW and the Department of Communities and Justice, and will provide local businesses with practical advice, resources and insights for supporting employers to prevent harassment in the workplace. These workshops will especially focus on supporting small businesses and regional businesses across the state.
These workshops are occurring alongside the NSW Government’s record investment of $127.7 million over four years into improving work health and safety outcomes in NSW. It also forms part of the $344 million of the NSW Government’s Workplace Mental Health package for strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces.
The most common types of workplace sexual harassment include sexually suggestive comments or jokes (27 per cent), intrusive questions about a person’s private life or physical appearance (23 per cent) and unwelcome physical contact (19 per cent).
The funding for these workshops forms part of the NSW Government’s $38 million implementation of our Primary Prevention Strategy – Pathways to Prevention. Workplaces are a priority under the strategy as they have significant reach across the community and can drive a culture of equality and respect.
Details on how to register and more information on obligations to address workplace sexual harassment are available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/respect-at-work/from-risk-to-respect-workshops.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work.
“These workshops will equip businesses with the knowledge and tools to prevent harassment at work and build a culture of safety in the workplace.
“The Minns Government has invested $127.7M into SafeWork NSW, which includes 20 new psychosocial-focused inspectors to improve workplace mental health and safety, and compliance. We are also establishing the dedicated Psychosocial Advisory Service to provide information and support to businesses and workers.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“The Minns Government is continuing to work hard to build a safer New South Wales for everyone.
“We are taking a whole-of-community approach and working to change attitudes and behaviours that lead to gendered violence to stop the violence before it starts.
“The ‘From Risk to Respect’ workshops are a significant step in raising awareness and educating leaders and organisations on their responsibilities in preventing sexual harassment, as well as addressing the cultural and attitudinal challenges that give rise to gendered violence in workplaces.”
Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said:
“Everybody has the right to feel safe and respected in their workplace.
“By working together with community and businesses we can help to build a culture of safety in the workplace.
“By continuing to raise awareness and provide education around behaviours and attitudes that lead to unsafe workplaces, we can continue to address the specific challenges that give rise to gendered violence in the workplace.”
SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:
“Sexual harassment and gender-based violence is unacceptable in any workplace. It can cause both physical and psychological harm to workers and exposes businesses to legal, financial and reputational risks.
“SafeWork NSW expects business to be aware of their work health and safety obligations to prevent sexual harassment.
“These workshops will help businesses understand the causes of gender-based harms, and how taking a work health and safety approach helps prevent workplace sexual harassment.
“I encourage all businesses to register their interest to attend these important workshops, which provide practical steps to build safer and more respectful workplaces.”