The NSW Government introduced workplace protection order legislation to Parliament yesterday. If passed, court orders could be used by retailers to ban people who have threatened, intimidated or assaulted workers from returning to a workplace where there is a risk they will offend again.

The move has been welcomed by The Australian Retail Council (ARC), who urges all sides to pass these critical safety laws as soon as possible.

ARC CEO Chris Rodwell said the legislation marks a significant step forward, with urgent action needed to secure its passage and operationalise the protections.

“Every retail worker has the right to go to work without being abused, harassed, threatened or assaulted,” he said.

“Nobody should have to wonder whether a violent offender will walk back through the door on their next shift.”

Supermarkets back proposed laws

Major supermarket groups Coles and Woolworths are among the retailers calling for NSW to pass worker protection laws.

“Our team should never have to accept threats, abuse or violence as part of the job,” said Ivan Slunjski, Coles State GM Supermarket Operations.

“We know that Workplace Protection Orders work, and are an important tool to help us protect our team and address the serious challenge of repeat offending. Our team members deserve to feel safe every time they come to work.”

Woolworths’ Head of Violence Prevention, Sarah Faorlin says results from other states and territories show that these laws work.

“In the ACT, there has been a 92 per cent reduction in reoffending among repeat offenders subject to an order, and South Australia has achieved a 100 per cent reduction. These results demonstrate the real-world difference they make to our team,” she said.

“The message to offenders is clear: if you abuse or threaten retail staff, you will be held to account.”

Violent retail crime in Australia

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show police recorded 8944 victims of assault at retail locations across NSW in 2025, equivalent to about 25 a day.

Nationally, Auror data shows around 270 violent retail crime incidents a day. It also shows the top 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for around 60 per cent of retail crime harm, with repeat offenders up to four times more likely to be violent.

ARC’s Mr Rodwell says workplace protection orders help break the cycle of offending.

“Retailers would seek these orders only against repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to workers and customers,” he said.

“These are people who repeatedly return to stores and threaten, intimidate or assault workers.”

The Government has indicated the scheme could commence up to 12 months after the legislation passes. Mr Rodwell says South Australia brought its protections into operation within five months, and WA’s retail barring orders passed Parliament last week and are due to operate before Christmas.

“We urge NSW to move with the same urgency. Workers should not have to wait another year for protection,” he said.