Australia continues to be a leader in promoting safe, compliant, and forward-thinking workplace environments. Across the country, several high calibre events unite safety professionals to share ideas, innovations, and strategies that drive safer workplaces and healthier workers.

Whether you’re a senior WHS executive, EHS manager, or safety supplier, attending these events is a powerful way to connect with peers, discover emerging solutions, and stay ahead of compliance and regulatory trends.

Here are the top 5 Workplace Health and Safety events in Australia you should have on your calendar:

1. OHS Leaders Summit Australia

When: Annually in March
Where: Gold Coast, QLD
Website: www.ohsleaders.com.au

The OHS Leaders Summit Australia is widely recognised as the country’s premier gathering for senior Health and Safety executives. As the longest running safety event in the country, this exclusive, invite only summit gathers approximately 250 of Australia’s most senior Workplace Health and Safety executives and key decision makers from the nation’s largest organisations.

Across three immersive days, attendees engage in a dynamic agenda featuring keynote presentations, interactive roundtables, hands-on workshops, panel debates, and pre-scheduled 1:1 business meetings with solution providers, all within a setting purpose-built for high-impact networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among Australia’s leading WHS executives.

With a strong focus on leadership, legislative updates, industry benchmarking, risk management, Psychosocial risk and the latest in technology and innovation, this annual summit serves as a launchpad for emerging trends and transformative initiatives. Attendees gain access to strategic, research driven insights aimed at building safer, more resilient workplaces, tailored specifically for the country’s most senior WHS leaders.

Pros:

• Exclusive audience: Invite-only ensures high-quality networking with other senior WHS executives.
• Tailored content: Agendas built around relevant challenges, innovations and trends for decision-makers.
• Pre-scheduled 30 minute, 1:1 business meetings: Offers personalised matchmaking with solution providers based around WHS executives upcoming purchasing initiatives
• Premium experience: High-end venue and concierge-level service for attendees, offering personalised agendas within an event specific mobile APP

Cons:

• Limited access: Not open to all WHS professionals, this is an invite only gathering, so qualification is required.
• Supplier Allocation: They only accept a maximum of 40 key solution/ service providers to join the summit each year as sponsors. Companies can wait up to two years before being granted access to join as a sponsor, due to the event’s  popularity and exclusivity.
• More strategic than hands on: Focuses on executive leadership over technical WHS detail.

2. National Safety Conference – NSCA Foundation

When: Annually
Where: Sydney, NSW

Hosted by the NSCA Foundation, this conference is a staple in the WHS calendar. It attracts all people from all levels of safety , policy-makers, and regulators from across the country to discuss national safety challenges, share best practices, and explore emerging trends.

Sessions cover a wide range of topics including workplace mental health, compliance, and risk management. It’s particularly valuable for those seeking to understand Australia’s regulatory landscape and evolving WHS standards.

Pros:

• Reputable organiser: Backed by one of Australia’s leading safety foundations.
• Policy and compliance focus: Strong on legislative updates and national trends.
• Credible speakers: Regularly features regulators, CEOs, and suppliers

Cons:

• More traditional format: Less interactive and tech forward compared to newer events.
• Regional attendance: May be harder to access for those outside NSW.

3. Workplace Health & Safety Show

When: Alternating annually between Melbourne and Sydney
Website: whsshow.com.au

This trade show event is perfect for safety professionals looking for hands on exposure to the latest safety products, and services. Featuring live demonstrations from a range of suppliers it also offers workshops, and over 100 exhibitors, the Workplace Health & Safety Show provides deeper insights into areas like PPE, training, automation, and mental health.

The Workplace Health & Safety Show is ideal for WHS professionals seeking up to date market knowledge, product comparisons, and connections with new vendors, all in one high energy setting.

Pros:

• Free to attend: Open access encourages broad participation.
• Product exposure: Great for seeing new WHS tools, and PPE in action.
• Practical content: Offers live demos and free seminars from suppliers that are easy to implement.

Cons:

• Overwhelming scale: Large exhibit halls can make it harder to focus on strategic insights.
• Less senior audience: More focused on frontline professionals and suppliers than execs.
• Product driven format: Designed purely with exhibitors in mind, the event lacks deep insights and high level sessions for WHS executives, as you may find at other safety events.

4. AIHS National Health & Safety Conference

When: Annually in May
Where: Gold Coast, QLD
Website: www.aihs.org.au

Organised by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS), this conference brings together safety professionals from all levels to engage with academic research, global best practices, and policy discussions.

It’s ideal for those wanting a more technical view of WHS performance and system design. With contributions from local experts, this event also dives deep into ESG, sustainability, and the role of safety leadership in organisational culture.

The conference provides a unique platform for exploring the latest in academic research, global WHS best practices, regulatory updates, and emerging policy directions. It places a strong emphasis on the technical aspects of WHS performance and system design, making it especially valuable for professionals seeking deeper insight into risk systems, and process improvement frameworks.

The AIHS National Conference delivers a comprehensive and thought provoking experience that promotes smarter, safer, and more sustainable workplaces.

Pros:

• Technical depth: Excellent for those wanting detailed technical insights.
• Academic rigor: Strong focus on system design, risk science, and human factors.
• Broader industry mix: Appeals to safety professionals across various sectors and at all levels

Cons:

• Less commercial networking: Fewer business meetings or commercial opportunities.
• Academic Focus: Heavy emphasis on research and policy may not suit those seeking practical, hands on strategies.
• Limited Supplier Engagement: Fewer opportunities to connect with WHS solution providers or explore new technologies.
• Less Personalisation: Fixed agendas offer limited flexibility to tailor sessions to individual business needs, with the event running in more of a traditional conference format

5. Safe Work Australia’s Virtual WHS Forum

When: Annually during Safe Work Month (October)
Where: Online
Website: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

As the national body for WHS policy and regulation, Safe Work Australia’s annual WHS Virtual Forum is a must-attend for professionals looking to stay up to date on federal initiatives, new codes of practice, and national statistics. The digital format makes it accessible to regional and remote professionals. It’s also highly educational, with deep dives into legislative changes and best practices to improve safety culture and reduce incidents across industries.

Pros:

• Nationwide accessibility: Completely virtual and free to access.
• Policy insight: Direct access to the latest regulatory changes and guidance.
• Low time commitment: Easy to fit into busy schedules.

Cons:

• • No networking: Lacks in person connection or relationship building opportunities.
  • Limited interactivity: Virtual format restricts Q&A, roundtables, or workshops.

Australia offers a dynamic landscape for workplace health and safety events, each serving a unique purpose. Whether you want to network with senior leaders, explore new tech, or dive into the latest research and regulations, there’s a WHS event to suit your needs. These five events represent the best of the best and can help you and your organisation drive real change in safety performance and culture.