Department of Defence: Comcare prosecution

criminal conviction19 Dec 2025Penalty $188K

Respondent

Department of Defence

Facts

Defence failed to train supervisors on psychosocial risks of its Work Plan performance-management process; a RAAF technician placed on repeated Work Plans died at RAAF Base Williamtown in 2020. First conviction of a Commonwealth employer for failing to manage psychosocial risks. Category 3 offence.

Outcome

Department of Defence was convicted and fined $188,000 in the Local Court (NSW) (19 December 2025). Other orders: Adverse publicity order under s 236 WHS Act, details to be determined.

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Read the source

https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/news/defence-convicted-after-raaf-workers-death

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