Workplace stabbing leads to federal WHS charge

Comcare has charged Services Australia with breaching federal work health and safety laws after a worker was stabbed at the workplace, suffering serious injuries from the attack at a Melbourne Centrelink office.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions filed a single charge following a Comcare investigation, alleging Services Australia failed to comply with its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). The incident occurred on 23 May 2023 at the Airport West Centrelink office.

The Comcare investigation found that Services Australia failed to comply with its primary health and safety duty to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers — section 19(1) of the WHS Act. It is alleged by the charge that Services Australia failed to undertake a range of measures to eliminate or minimise the risk of physical violence to workers.

This included: the workplace providing at least two uniformed security guards at all times, including one guard inside the public entrance; the entry to the workplace being managed; and authority being given to the service centre manager to decide whether managed entry to the workplace should be implemented and remain in place.

It is a Category 2 criminal offence charge under the WHS Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $1.5 million — the matter having been listed for mention in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 1 July 2025.

Image credit: iStock.com/Chaichan Pramjit. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.