The New South Wales government has introduced the new Silica Worker Register (SWR), a major initiative aimed at safeguarding workers exposed to crystalline silica dust — a growing occupational health concern across numerous Australian industries.
The register, which forms part of the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Silica Worker Register) Regulation 2025, will require employers to register all workers engaged in high-risk crystalline silica substance (CSS) processing within 28 days of their commencement.
The move comes amid mounting evidence of rising silica-related diagnoses, especially among younger Australians.
Slater and Gordon has welcomed the government’s commitment, describing it as an essential step toward protecting worker health and building national awareness around dust-related diseases.
Nicole Valenti, Practice Leader in Asbestos and Dust Diseases at Slater and Gordon, said that the Register is vital in safeguarding workers as well as raising public awareness about the long-term dangers of exposure.
“Many people don’t realise how devastating dust-related conditions can be. Silica dust remains a very real risk for hundreds of thousands of workers across Australia, and proper protections and monitoring are more important than ever,” Valenti said.
According to the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, nearly 600,000 Australians are currently occupationally exposed to silica dust.
Workers in mining, construction, tunnelling, and engineered stone fabrication are among those facing the highest levels of risk.
“These figures show just how widespread the risk is for workers across multiple industries,” Valenti said.
“The launch of the Silica Worker Register is welcome, but it is not the end of the fight. Employers must continue to take every precaution to protect workers’ health.”
Silicosis, a progressive and often fatal lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica particles, has resurfaced as one of Australia’s most serious occupational health challenges.
The resurgence has been fuelled by the widespread popularity of engineered stone products, used extensively in kitchen and bathroom construction.
A 2025 Monash University study highlighted alarming trends, finding that over the most recent eight-year period, the median age of those diagnosed with silicosis had dropped from 50 to just 39 years.
The findings suggest that younger workers are facing early and more severe health impacts than in past decades.
“Silicosis is no longer a disease affecting only older workers. Recent research shows that younger Australians are increasingly being diagnosed, which is why monitoring and early intervention is so critical,” Valenti said.
In addition to supporting the SWR, Slater and Gordon emphasises the importance of legal recourse for affected workers.
“Workers who have been exposed to silica dust and are experiencing health issues should know there may be legal avenues available to them,” Valenti said.
“If you think you may have been affected, you could have a right to pursue a compensation claim.”
The Silica Worker Register marks an important policy move for the NSW government as Australia grapples with the escalating impact of occupational dust diseases.
It signals a shift toward stronger regulatory oversight and reinforces the shared responsibility between governments and employers in protecting worker wellbeing.
