The NSCA Foundation will bring together Australia’s leading workplace health and safety professionals at the National Safety Conference 2026, to be held at the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney from 17-19 March.

Now in its latest iteration, the conference program has been carefully curated to address the topics safety professionals are most eager to explore, including the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in safety management, evolving regulatory frameworks and improved approaches to incident investigation.

NSCA Foundation CEO and Chairman Bernie Doyle said the conference would provide delegates with practical insights they could apply immediately in their workplaces.

“This annual gathering brings together the best minds and most passionate individuals from around the country, all dedicated to enhancing safety in the workplace,” Mr Doyle said.

“Our primary aim is to create an environment that fosters learning, inspiration and collaboration within the safety community. We firmly believe that by sharing knowledge, experiences and innovative ideas, we can collectively advance the field of workplace health and safety.”

The two-day conference program features keynote sessions, panel discussions and presentations across key streams including innovation and technology, incident investigation, leadership and management, occupational health and safety, risk management, and mental health and wellbeing.

A major focus this year will be the application of AI in workplace safety. Sessions will examine how AI can close safety gaps and strengthen safety culture, the emerging opportunities AI presents for WHS professionals, and how AI-driven pre-employment screening can help prevent workplace injuries.

Day one will feature a keynote from security expert Scott Taylor on identifying behavioural patterns and physiological cues displayed by individuals with violent intent, while ecoPortal CEO Dr Manuel Seidel will demonstrate how AI tools including voice-to-text and video analysis can transform risk management.

A dedicated incident investigation stream will explore why safety controls fail, with evidence-based insights drawn from a four-year global study of more than 680 serious incidents. Aviation safety specialist Natalee Johnston will also present on applying aviation investigation practices to workplace incidents.

Day two will open with a regulator discussion panel featuring SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell, Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor CEO Simon Nicholson, SafeWork NSW Director Clarence Brown and Australian Human Rights Commission Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody. The panel will address new safety laws, psychosocial risk rules, rising personal accountability and the role of technology in modern compliance.

The mental health and wellbeing stream will include sessions on AI-related cognitive risks, psychosocial safety improvement programs and suicide prevention in the construction industry, featuring Mates in Construction CEO Jorgen Gullestrup.

The conference will conclude with a live mock trial presented by Sparke Helmore Lawyers, giving delegates a firsthand look at courtroom proceedings in a WHS prosecution.

A pre-conference workshop on 17 March, facilitated by HSE Global, will explore how data and digital learning can shape modern WHS leadership.

For more information and to register, visit www.nationalsafetyconference.com.au

Media contact: NSCA Foundation P: 02 8875 7820 E: conference@nscafoundation.org.au