WorkSafe Board Advisory Committees

Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee

The Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee (OHSAC) was established under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) to advise the WorkSafe Board about promoting healthy and safe working environments and the operation and administration of the OHS Act and regulations.

OHSAC was established to provide a forum of people with expertise and/or who represent stakeholders with an interest in matters involving the promotion of healthy and safe working environments and in the operation and administration of the OHS Act.

Composition of the Committee

The Chair of the WorkSafe Board is the Chair of OHSAC.

Members of the Committee are appointed by the Minister, and consist of:

• 2 persons recommended by WorkSafe's Board of Management who represent the interests of WorkSafe;
• 2 persons who the Minister considers represent the interests of the Crown;
• 6 persons who the Minister considers represent the interests of employers (at least 2 of whom the Minister considers represent the interests of employers engaged in small business);
• 6 persons who the Minister considers represent the interests of employees;
• 2 independent persons who the Minister considers have appropriate expertise and experience in OHS.

Members of OHSAC

• Bob Cameron – Chair of the WorkSafe Board

Representing WorkSafe:

• Ashley West, Acting CEO (Attendee)
• Sam Jenkin - Executive Director - Health & Safety

Representing the Crown:

• Lynda McAlary Smith – Commissioner, Victorian Small Business Commission
• Ella McPherson – Deputy Commissioner, Victorian Public Sector Commission

Independent with appropriate expertise and experience:

• Prof Malcolm Sim AM – Director, Monash Centre, Occupational & Environment Health
• Lisa Fitzpatrick - Victorian Branch Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Victoria)

Representing Employees:

• Karen Batt - Victorian Branch Secretary, Community & Public Sector Union
• Ronnie Hayden – Victorian Branch Secretary, Australian Workers Union
• Wil Stracke - Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council
• Vacant - United Workers Union
• Dr Gerry Ayres - Health & Safety Unit Manager, CFMEU
• Michael Donovan – Victorian Branch Secretary, Shop Distributive & Allied Employed Association

Representing Employers:

• Tim Piper - Director, Australian Industry Group (Victoria)
• Keith Ryan – Executive Director, Housing Industry Association (Victorian Region)
• Samantha Read – Chief Executive Officer, Chemistry Australia
• Stuart McCullough – Chief Executive, Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association
• Brendan Tatham - Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Farmers Federation
• Michaela Lihou – Chief Executive Officer, Master Builders Association Victoria

WorkCover Advisory Committee

The WorkCover Advisory Committee (WAC) was established under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act) to advise the WorkSafe Board about workers' entitlement to compensation, return to work, rehabilitation, and the operation and administration of the WIRC Act and relevant regulations.

The purpose of the WAC is to focus on strategic issues, providing an important interface between WorkSafe's operational activity and the Board.

Composition of the Committee

The Chair of the WorkSafe Board is the Chair of WAC.

Members of the Committee are appointed by the Minister, and consist of:

• persons with a sound knowledge of the law relating to accident compensation
• persons with experience in the provision of hospital services or medical services
• persons with experience in accident compensation who are nominated by Victorian employer and employee groups, and
• persons with knowledge and experience in accident rehabilitation

Members of WAC

• Bob Cameron - Chair

Knowledge and experience in the provision of hospital or medical services:

• Zena Burgess - Chief Executive Officer, Australian Psychological Society
• Anita Munoz – Chair, Victorian Faculty, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Knowledge and experience in occupational rehabilitation:

• Mary Wyatt – Occupational Physician, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Frank Imbesi – Executive General Manager, Senior Occupational Rehabilitation Consultant, Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association

Appropriate expertise and knowledge of applicable law:

• Nadia Grech – Chair, Law Institute of Victoria
• Ben Gilley - Practice Group Leader, Slater & Gordon Lawyers
• Emma Hines - Managing Counsel, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
• Susan Accary – Victorian President, Australian Lawyers Alliance

Representing Employees:

• Karen Batt - Victorian Branch Secretary, Community & Public Sector Union
• Ronnie Hayden – Victorian Branch Secretary, Australian Workers Union
• Wil Stracke - Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council
• Lisa Fitzpatrick - Victorian Branch Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Victoria)

Representing Employers:

• Tim Piper - Director, Australian Industry Group (Victoria)
• Julie Mitchell, Chief General Manager, Allianz Australia Insurance
• Stefan Delaney - Chair, Self Insurers Association of Victoria
• Paul Guerra - Chief Executive, Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Return to Work Advisory Subcommittee

The Return to Work Advisory Subcommittee (RTWAC) was established by the WorkCover Advisory Committee, as a requirement of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (WorkCover Scheme Modernisation) Act 2024 (Scheme Modernisation Act).

The Committee is established to provide a forum of people with expertise and/or who represent stakeholders with an interest in matters involving return to work; which can provide advice to the Board and receive information from WorkSafe regarding key strategies and projects.

Subject to the WIRC Act, the Board regulates the procedures of the Committee.

Composition of the Committee

The Chair of the WorkSafe Board is the Chair of RTWAC.

In addition to the Chair, the Committee membership is drawn from the existing membership of the WorkCover Advisory Committee, and are appointed by the Minister.

Members of RTWAC

• Bob Cameron – Chair

Knowledge and experience in occupation rehabilitation:

• Dr Mary Wyatt - Occupational Physician, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Frank Imbesi – Executive General Manager, Senior Occupational Rehabilitation Consultant, Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association

Appropriate expertise and knowledge of applicable law:

• Susan Accary - Victorian President, Australian Lawyers Alliance

Representing Employees:

• Wil Strake - Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council

Representing Employers:

• Tim Piper - Director, Australian Industry Group (Victoria)