A crack team will enforce some of the toughest industrial manslaughter laws in the nation in a bid to hold bosses and businesses to account.
A senior solicitor, two additional solicitors and a witness assistance officer have joined the Director of Public Prosecution's office in NSW under a $6.9 million government funding commitment until 2028/29.
Their mission will be to pursue individuals or related corporate bodies involved in workplace deaths.
On average, one worker dies at work every week, NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said.
To assist with their task, the state last year brought in some of the nation's toughest industrial manslaughter laws.
Penalties for individuals successfully prosecuted have been beefed up from maximum 10-year to 25-year jail sentences for individuals.
Maximum fines for businesses have increased from $11 million to $20 million.
"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," Mr Daley said.
"This unit will be supported by specialist staff to enforce the toughest industrial manslaughter laws in the country."
Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said workplaces where tragic deaths of workers occur due to carelessness or irresponsibility 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," she said.
NSW's industrial manslaughter jail term is on par with the maximum penalty in Victoria, but it has slightly higher fines.
Tasmania was the last Australian jurisdiction to pass workplace death laws in 2024 despite opposition from the minority Liberal government.
