Seven years of safety data insights. One evolving profession. What can we learn from the trends shaping workplace safety?
Since 2019, Safety People has been tracking the experiences, priorities and challenges of safety professionals across Australia and the Asia-Pacific through its annual Safety Benchmark Survey.
Over the years, the findings have offered a snapshot of a profession navigating changing expectations, workforce pressures and new approaches to workplace safety.
But the value of benchmarking goes beyond looking at what has changed. It helps us understand where the profession stands today, what challenges remain and what organisations need to consider as they plan for the future.
With the 2026 Safety Benchmark Survey on the horizon, here’s why these insights matter and what they can help you uncover.
Why Seven Years of Data Matter
One survey can tell us what’s happening at a particular point in time. Tracking responses over several years helps reveal the bigger picture.
Are safety professionals feeling more confident about their careers? Are organisations making progress in leadership and culture? Are employers prepared for changing workforce needs and emerging technologies?
These are the kinds of questions that become more meaningful when we look beyond a single year’s results.
By gathering perspectives from across the profession, the Safety Benchmark creates a shared reference point for understanding industry priorities, identifying ongoing challenges and recognising where change may be needed.
It also gives safety professionals a chance to contribute their experiences to a conversation that extends beyond their own workplace.
What Previous Findings Have Revealed
Previous benchmark findings have highlighted several important themes:
Leadership and culture remain a priority
In the latest findings shared by Safety People, 49% of respondents identified leadership and culture as the biggest areas needing improvement.
Job security is a concern
Confidence in job security stood at 62%, raising questions about workforce stability and how organisations support their people.
Purpose matters
Some 37% of respondents said they stay in the profession because they want to make a difference, highlighting the importance of meaningful work.
The future talent pipeline needs attention
The profession continues to rely heavily on experienced professionals, making early-career development, knowledge transfer and succession planning important considerations.
These findings offer a starting point for conversations about the future of the safety profession. They also raise an important question: What’s changing, and what still needs work?
The 2026 survey is an opportunity to explore that question further.
What’s in It for You?
The Safety Benchmark isn’t just for researchers or industry observers. Its findings can help people across the profession make more informed decisions.
For safety leaders
Compare your priorities with broader industry trends, identify areas worth investigating and support conversations about leadership, capability and safety culture.
For employers and hiring managers
Gain context for workforce planning, talent attraction, retention and succession strategies. Understanding the challenges facing safety professionals can help you make better-informed decisions about building and supporting your team.
For safety professionals
Understand the wider experiences shaping your profession, reflect on your own career and contribute your perspective to an industry-wide conversation.
The benchmark won’t tell every organisation exactly what to do. Every workplace has different risks, people and priorities. But it can help you ask better questions, challenge assumptions and identify where further action may be needed.
Help Shape the 2026 Safety Benchmark
The safety profession continues to evolve. Psychosocial pressures, technological change, workforce capability and leadership expectations are all part of the conversation.
To understand what’s happening now and what may come next, we need current perspectives from the people working across the industry.
That’s where you come in.
By participating in the 2026 Safety Benchmark Survey, you can share your experiences, contribute to a broader understanding of the profession and help build a resource that safety leaders, employers and professionals can use to inform their decisions.
📊 Take part in the 2026 Safety Benchmark Survey
Help shape the conversation around the future of safety and gain access to the insights that matter to you.
Thank you for helping Safety People build a clearer picture of the profession and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
