Election of HSRs

The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 allows workers within a business or undertaking to be grouped into work groups so they can elect a member of their work group to represent them.

Step 1 – Ask for an election

A health and safety representative is elected by their work group under the WHS Act to represent workers in work health and safety matters. A worker can ask the PCBU to organise an election for one or more HSRs.

The PCBU must within 14 days begin negotiations to determine one or more work groups of workers.

Step 2 – Begin negotiations for work groups

A work group is determined by negotiation and agreement between the PCBU and workers (or workers’ representatives). Work groups may be formed for workers carrying out work for more than one PCBU at more than one workplace. Each work group will be represented by one or more HSR.

This negotiation will decide the:

• number of work groups
• composition of the work groups 
• number of HSRs and deputy HSRs in each work group
• workplace/s the work groups will apply to
• businesses or undertakings the work groups will apply to (where there are multiple businesses)
• determine how the election is to be run, including if the election is a tie.

Negotiations should aim to group workers in a way that:

• effectively represents the WHS interests of workers
• makes an HSR readily accessible to each worker in the work group
• considers the:
  • number of workers
  • views of workers
  • types of work carried out
  • number and grouping of workers who carry out the same or similar type/s of work
  • areas/places work is carried out, and how much workers move from place to place while at work
  • diversity of workers and their work
  • nature of hazards and risks to health and safety at the workplace
  • employment arrangements (whether workers are employees, contractors, full-time, part time, casual or short-term)
  • times work is carried out
  • arrangements relating to overtime or shift work.

Step 3 – Notify workers of the outcome of work group negotiations

The PCBU must inform workers of the outcome of the negotiations, and the determined work groups.

If negotiations fail, anyone affected may ask the regulator to appoint an inspector to either decide the issue in dispute or assist the negotiations.

Conduct the HSR election

The workers in a work group may decide how the election of HSR/s for the work group is conducted. The person conducting the election must take all reasonable steps to ensure:

• the relevant PCBU/s are informed of the election date as soon as practicable after it is decided
• all workers in the work group have the opportunity to:
  • nominate for the position of HSR
  • vote in the election
• all workers in the work group and relevant PCBUs are informed of the outcome of the election.

A worker is eligible to be elected as an HSR for a work group if they:

• are a member of that work group, and
  • are not disqualified from being an HSR under s. 65 of the WHS Act.

If the number of candidates for election as an HSR equals the number of vacancies, the election does not need to be held and each candidate is taken to have been elected as an HSR for the work group.

Notifying the work group of the election outcome

The person who conducted the election must advise the members of the work group and the PCBU of the results of the election as soon as reasonably practicable.

Term of office

An HSR for a work group holds office for three years unless they:

• resign from the HSR role by giving the PCBU written notice
• stop being a worker in the work group
• are disqualified under section 65 of the WHS Act
• are removed from the position by a majority of the members of the work group.

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