Zero Tolerance: Minns Labor Government launching dedicated unit to prosecute industrial manslaughter

Monday, 6 October 2025

The Minns Labor Government is launching a dedicated unit within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute industrial manslaughter.

This will be fully funded with a $6.9 million commitment over four years to 2028-29.

This will enable the ODPP to prosecute industrial manslaughter against individuals or related bodies corporate.

The industrial manslaughter unit will be supported by a senior solicitor, two additional solicitors and a witness assistance officer. It will sit within the ODPP’s specialised prosecutions unit.

NSW now has the strongest industrial manslaughter laws in the country with the tough penalties of up to 25 years’ jail for an individual of fines of up to $20 million for a business.

These laws brought in last year allow an individual or business to be held responsible for the death of a person due to gross negligence in the workplace.

Previously, the maximum penalty for the highest form of offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 was ten years imprisonment for an individual or a $11.1 million penalty for a body corporate.

This strong new offence, tough penalties and a specialist protection unit will deter unsafe workplace practices and save lives.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“On average, one person dies a week at work in NSW. These statistics are unacceptable. Everyone who goes to work should expect to come home safely.

“That’s why the NSW Government is giving the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions the resources to go after individuals and businesses who put workers’ safety at risk.

“This unit within the ODPP will be supported by specialist staff to enforce the toughest industrial manslaughter laws in the country.”

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The offence of industrial manslaughter is the most serious breach of work health and safety laws and will apply where gross negligence has caused the death of a person in a workplace.

“Any workplace death is a tragedy and in cases where a person with a work health and safety duty has been careless or irresponsible, they must be held accountable.

“Every worker deserves to go to work and return home safely to their loved ones at the end of the day.”