OHS masterclass series 2025

Managing occupational health and safety (OHS) obligations has never been more challenging, particularly for those supporting Victorian Public Sector organisations in meeting their duties and responding to regulatory action.

The OHS masterclass series, developed by the VGSO's Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety Branch, is designed specifically for the Victorian Public Sector. It comprises five 1.5-hour training sessions focused on understanding OHS obligations and managing various aspects of OHS compliance.

The sessions are structured to build on one another, providing participants with a deeper overall understanding of OHS legal obligations across different areas. Alternatively, participants can select individual sessions of greatest interest or relevance for them.

Details of the individual sessions are outlined below in the program overview.

Cost

Individual sessions	$300 per person (plus GST)
Full OHS masterclass series (5 sessions)	$1,200 per person (plus GST) (discount of $300)

Payment

Invoices will be issued after registration.

Who should attend

Health, wellbeing and safety managers
People and culture leaders
Executives
In-house lawyers

Relevant dates

The sessions will be held on:

Thursday 13 February 2025 - 12.30pm to 2.00pm
Thursday 20 February 2025 - 12.30pm to 2.00pm
Thursday 27 February 2025 - 12.30pm to 2.00pm
Thursday 13 March 2025 - 12.30pm to 2.00pm
Thursday 20 March 2025 - 12.30pm to 2.00pm

Please let us know which sessions you want to attend by clicking on 'Register'. Please select all options to register for the entire OHS masterclass series.

Program overview

Thursday, 13 February 2025 - 12:30pm to 2:00pm
This session will provide attendees with foundational knowledge of OHS regulation in Victoria, offering a high-level overview of the sources of OHS obligations and the potential risks of non-compliance. Topics covered will include:
- an introduction to the OHS scheme in Victoria, including overarching principles
- key duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
- the regime of criminal offences, including Workplace Manslaughter
- key concepts and definitions (such as reasonable practicability)
- risk management and the hierarchy of control
- incident management and notification requirements
- managing psychosocial hazards.
Thursday, 20 February 2025 - 12:30pm to 2:00pm
This session builds on the foundational knowledge from Session 1 and focuses on the powers of the Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe) and its Inspectors. Attendees will gain an understanding of the various types of Notices and directions that can be issued by WorkSafe Inspectors, as well as the processes for compliance or challenging decisions. Topics covered will include:
- powers of WorkSafe Inspectors
- types of Notices and directions that can be issued
- compliance requirements
- consequences of failing to comply with Notices
- 'internal review' processes through the WorkSafe Internal Review Unit
- 'external review' processes via the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Thursday, 27 February 2025 - 12:30pm to 2:00pm
This session focuses on the powers of WorkSafe Inspectors to compel the provision of information and documents in response to workplace health and safety issues, as well as key considerations when responding to coercive requests. Topics will include:
- the Section 100 power
- the Section 9 power
- understanding the scope of coercive requests
- common issues when responding to requests
- consequences of non-compliance
- 'reasonable excuses' for non-compliance
Thursday, 13 March 2025 - 12:30pm to 2:00pm
This session will address WorkSafe investigations where criminal charges are under consideration and the rules, procedures and legal parameters when a prosecution is commenced. We will cover:
- time limits for the filing of charges
- requests to speak with witnesses
- the privilege against self-incrimination in light of coercive powers
- record of Interview requests
- Section 131 requests
- fundamentals of criminal law, evidence and procedure as they apply to OHS investigations
- prosecution outcomes including convictions, sentencing and appeals.
Thursday, 20 March 2025 - 12:30pm to 2:00pm
The final session in our OHS Masterclass Series will delve into the industrial context in which occupational health and safety issues are addressed. It will explore the roles of health and safety representatives, organised employee representation and the interplay with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the discrimination provisions in the OHS Act and the employer's duty to consult with employees. Topics will include:
- designated work groups
- Health and safety representatives and their powers
- Authorised representatives of registered employee organisations (ARREOs) and their powers
- the 'right of entry' under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
- discrimination against 'whistleblowers'
- the employer's obligation to consult with employees.

Frances Anderson
Frances heads VGSO’s Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety team. She has over 30 years of workplace relations experience in government, law firms and in-house, and across multiple business sectors. She has particular expertise in sexual harassment and discrimination matters, workplace change, restructure and in advising on and managing employment-related risks in organisations with heightened political and industrial sensitivities.
Kerry Maikousis
Kerry leads the OHS Team within the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office. She has 25 years' experience in the Victorian public sector, having worked as a prosecutor within the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and as a legal education co-ordinator with the Judicial College of Victoria. As part of her role at the OPP, Kerry had responsibility for advice work and indictable prosecutions under the OHS Act.
Christy Kerr
Christy is a senior member of the OHS team within the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office. She has extensive experience working as a legal advisor within the Victorian Public Sector, both as a senior criminal prosecutor at the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and within the Legal and Governance Division of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). She has also practiced as a litigator in a large commercial firm.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or queries please send them to marketing.team@vgso.vic.gov.au

Alternatively, please contact us if you are interested in arranging a bespoke OHS masterclass series for your organisation.

Updated 17 December 2024