Network Meeting – Safe Work Australia (SWA) Policy Framework & Current Best Practice Improvement Focus Areas
PRESENTATION
Rebecca Sostarko, General Counsel / Director of Work, Health & Safety from Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (‘ACCI’) and Dr Leigh Thredgold, Principal Adviser, National Work Health and Safety (WHS) Policy from Australian Industry Group (‘AIG’)
Safe Work Australia is a tripartite body, meaning it comprises representatives from government, employers, and
workers to develop national policy on work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation. This model ensures that policy decisions are balanced and take into account the interests of all parties involved. Its purpose is to improve outcomes for injured workers and their employers through evidence-based policy development and national strategies. SWA is represented by two industry bodies – Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Australian Industry Group (AIG).
Come and hear from two senior representatives from these industry bodies about some of the key focus areas that are currently being developed for presentation to Safe Work Australia, how the National legislative framework is influenced and policy positions are created, a look at the current review of the National Harmonised WHS Legislation across Australia and the influences of various jurisdictions on the model WHS Act and Regulations.
About the speakers:
Rebecca Sostarko
Rebecca Sostarko is General Counsel and Director of Work, Health & Safety at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (‘ACCI’) where she leads national advocacy on WHS, workers’ compensation and associated regulatory reform.
Rebecca currently serves as one of two Members of Safe Work Australia who represent the interests of employers. She also sits on several key WHS-related boards and committees, including the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Council, Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and co-chairs the National Employers’ WHS Forum.
Prior to her current role, Rebecca worked in WHS policy for almost ten years at Master Builders Australia, where she sat on a number of national consultative committees, such as those facilitated by the Australian Building and Construction Commission, Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner, Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, Fair Work Commission and Standards Australia.
Rebecca holds a Masters of Juris Doctor (UC), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (ANU) and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Australian Capital Territory.
Prior to working in policy and advocacy, Rebecca practiced as a Construction Dispute Resolution lawyer and tutored in Construction Law at the University of Canberra. She was also the director of a family-owned building company for over a decade which provided her with an in-depth understanding of the building industry and associated regulatory issues and challenges faced by small businesses.
Dr Leigh Thredgold – Biography
Dr Leigh Thredgold is Principal Adviser – National Work Health and Safety (WHS) Policy for Australian Industry Group. The focus of Leigh’s role is to ensure employer views and interests, related to WHS and workers’ compensation, are communicated to government, regulators and other relevant bodies, when legislative and policy changes are being considered, and to initiate change where appropriate.
Leigh has been nominated to take over Australian Industry Group’s Ministerial appointments as Member of Safe Work Australia and the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Council from January 2026.
Before joining Australian Industry Group Leigh worked as an Assistant Director at Safe Work Australia and extensively in academic research in the field of occupational health at Adelaide University (formerly the University of Adelaide). Leigh has co-authored more than 20 peer reviewed scientific research papers covering occupational and environmental health topics, particularly relating to exposure to hazardous chemicals and dusts.
Leigh has a PhD in Analytical Chemistry along with undergraduate degrees in science. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists and Australian Institute of Health and Safety.