How to claim the $1,000 SafeWork NSW rebate for your small business
If you run a small business in NSW, there is a straightforward way to get up to $1,000 back on safety equipment you were probably going to buy anyway. It is called the SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate, and while it has been around since 2018, plenty of business owners still do not know it exists or how to access it.
Here is what it is, who it is for, and how to make sure your application gets across the line.
What the rebate actually covers
The rebate reimburses eligible NSW small businesses and sole traders up to $1,000 (excluding GST) towards the cost of approved workplace health and safety items. These are items that sit high on the hierarchy of control, meaning they physically eliminate or reduce a hazard, rather than just relying on a worker doing the right thing.
Think items like safety guarding, fall prevention equipment, machine isolation devices, or, as of a recent update, agricultural drones used for spraying, spreading or visual inspection on farms. The Minister for Work Health and Safety approved drones as an eligible item in mid 2025, recognising them as a practical modern safety tool for regional and farming operations.
Not everything qualifies. The rebate will not cover:
GST, freight or insurance
installation costs
standard PPE such as boots, hats or ear muffs
tools of trade like drills, saws or power tools
training, licences, testing or counselling services
normal business expenses, maintenance or office equipment
It is worth checking the full eligible items list before you buy, so you are not left out of pocket on something that does not qualify.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are:
a small business owner or sole trader with an ABN
employing between 0 and 50 full-time equivalent workers
operating in NSW under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
trading for at least 6 months
Charities and not-for-profits can apply too, as long as they employ between 1 and 50 full-time equivalent workers.
You cannot apply if your business has already received this rebate in the past 5 years, if you have more than 50 employees, or if you have already been reimbursed for the same item by another government body. The rebate is also limited to one claim per business owner in any 5 year period, even if you own multiple ABNs.
The step most people miss: the education requirement
This is where a lot of applications fall over. Before you apply, the registered business owner (not an employee) must complete an eligible SafeWork NSW education activity within the 12 months prior to applying.
That usually means:
attending a SafeWork NSW workshop or event that is marked as eligible for the Small Business Rebate, or
an advisory visit from a SafeWork NSW inspector, if the inspector confirms it is eligible (compliance visits do not count)
If you are applying for an agricultural drone, extra conditions apply. See the notes at the end of this article.
Skip this step, or attend the wrong kind of session, and your application will not be approved. Book the education activity first, then make your purchase.
What you will need for your application
Once you have completed the education requirement and purchased an eligible item, gather the following before you start:
Proof of eligibility - your ABN and confirmation you meet the criteria above
Proof of the education activity - your attendance will generally be recorded automatically, but keep any reference number you are given
Proof of purchase - invoices or receipts showing the supplier's name and ABN, your business details, the payment date, item cost and item description, plus a bank statement or an EFTPOS receipt showing payment was made (or written confirmation from the supplier if you paid cash)
If your purchase was under $1,000 (ex GST), you will be reimbursed that amount. If it was over $1,000, you will receive the full $1,000. You can only submit one application covering all your eligible purchases, so include everything at once.
Applications take around 10 minutes if you have your documents ready, and approved payments can take up to 8 weeks to arrive due to demand.
Why this matters beyond the rebate
The real value here is not the $1,000. It is the habit it builds. Businesses that engage with SafeWork NSW through an advisory visit or workshop, and then invest in a genuine hazard control, are usually the ones starting to shift from box-ticking paperwork to safety systems that actually protect people.
That is the approach we take with every client at Anzen. If you are not sure which safety items would make the biggest difference in your workplace, or you want help preparing for an advisory visit so it counts towards your rebate, that is exactly the kind of practical guidance we provide.
Updated October 2026: a few extra things worth knowing
Timing. Both your education activity and your purchase must fall within the 12 months before you apply.
Screenshots. Screenshots of bank transactions, banking apps or digital wallets are not accepted as proof of payment. A bank statement is the safest option.
How you buy matters. Items must be new and bought outright from a commercial supplier. Leased, hired, second-hand or custom-made items do not qualify, and neither do items bought on a payment plan.
Workers compensation. Your business must hold a valid workers compensation policy if it is required to have one.
Claiming less than $1,000. If you claim less than the full amount, you cannot come back later for the balance within 5 years.
Agricultural drones. To claim a drone, you must own a primary producing farming operation in NSW and a quad bike, side-by-side vehicle or tractor used in the business. The drone must be new, only one can be claimed per ABN, and you need an Aviation Reference Number from CASA before you apply.
Exclusions. The list of excluded items and the eligibility criteria above are not complete. Check the eligible items list and terms and conditions before you buy.
This article is general information only. Always confirm current eligibility criteria and eligible items on the official SafeWork NSW small business rebate page before applying, as terms can change.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/1000-safework-small-business-rebate
