There are 15 Safe Work Australia Members:

• one independent Chair
• one Member representing the Commonwealth
• eight Members representing each state and territory
• two Members representing the interests of workers
• two Members representing the interests of employers, and
• the CEO of Safe Work Australia.

Commonwealth, state and territory Members are nominated by and report to their respective WHS ministers. Members representing the interests of workers and employers are nominated by their corresponding authorised body. All nominated Members are appointed in writing by the Minister for Industrial Relations for a maximum term of three years.

The Safe Work Australia Act 2008 (Cth) outlines the authority and voting arrangements of Members. Matters not relating to the model WHS legislation or model Codes of Practice are decided by a two-thirds majority of the votes of the voting Members present and voting. For matters relating to the model WHS legislation or model Codes of Practice, a decision is made by a two-thirds majority of the votes of the voting Members present and voting, and a majority of the votes of all the voting Members who represent the Commonwealth, states and territories.