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Free OHS Essentials consultation
Free safety advice that comes to you

WorkSafe Victoria’s OHS Essentials is a free workplace safety consultation service, delivered by independent occupational health and safety (OHS) experts.

An OHS Essentials consultant will visit your workplace to help you identify hazards and provide a practical safety action plan. The consultant can even check-in with you again, to gauge how you’re tracking with the plan. The service is a great way to receive free, independent and tailored advice to manage safety at your workplace.

OHS Essentials is available to small and medium employers, registered for WorkCover insurance. Sole traders with contractors may also be eligible, but must be registered for WorkCover insurance. If your workplace is not registered for WorkCover insurance, you may be ineligible for this service. An OHS Essentials administrator will contact you to discuss.

Visit the Worksafe website for more information

Health and Safety Month is packed with face-to-face and online opportunities to connect, learn and share. Throughout October WorkSafe will hold 18 in-person events and 14 webinars. Join us to hear from guest speakers and industry experts on topics including:

• Improving psychological health and safety
• Supporting HSRs
• Preparing young people for safe work
• Construction safety
• Health and safety in the transport industry  
• Supporting injured workers return to safe work
• Best practice manual handling
• Plus many more

All events are free, so don't miss this chance to connect, learn and share.

Visit our website or find an event near you.

Wednesday, 30 August

2023 Grants set to fight against the Queensland Fruit Fly

The Andrews Labor Government is bolstering fruit growers’ capacity to combat against the Queensland fruit fly (QFF) – delivering grants to ensure Victoria is well protected from the pest. Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney announced the successful recipients from the second round of Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy grants which will help roll out QFF management programs across regional Victoria. 

Read the full Media Release here

Second Varroa emergency zone extends into Victoria
29 August 2023

Varroa mite has been detected near Balranald in the NSW Riverina district which will impact beekeepers with hives in Victoria within the 25 kilometres surveillance emergency zone (SEZ) put in place by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

This is the second emergency zone extending into Victoria, after the detection at Euston last week. Biosecurity (Varroa mite) Emergency Orders have been issued for both locations.

Victorian beekeepers within the surveillance emergency zones will not be allowed to move their hives into, within or out of the zones at this time.

Visit the Ag Vic website to read more of this Media Release.

Employees of small business employers can now access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period.

Employees of non-small business employers could access the leave from 1 February 2023.

Visit the FWO website for further information