New South Wales, Australia, May 2025 – Jim Kelly has been appointed as Head of People Care at icare NSW, marking a significant step in the organization’s commitment to delivering excellence in workforce wellbeing, safety, and industrial relations. In this leadership role, Jim will oversee strategy and execution across Work Health and Safety (WHS), injury management, and employee and industrial relations—key functions that enable the organization to serve the people and communities of New South Wales more effectively.
With a career spanning over two decades, Jim brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, regulatory governance, safety compliance, and mental health advocacy. His appointment signals a continuation of icare’s mission to support both its employees and the broader population it serves with integrity and compassion.
Prior to joining icare NSW, Jim Kelly served for nearly nine years at SafeWork NSW, where he held multiple senior roles. Most recently, he was Director, Specialist Harm Prevention, leading coordinated risk-based and data-driven compliance efforts across diverse regulatory areas including engineering, infrastructure, occupational health, and hazardous substances. He also served as Executive Director, SafeWork Operations & Enforcement (Acting), where he led a team of approximately 450 professionals during a period of organizational transformation focused on reducing workplace harm.
In his earlier role as Director, Health and Safe Design at SafeWork NSW, Jim was responsible for statewide implementation of health, ergonomic, and return-to-work services. His work spanned electrical and mechanical safety, psychological health, and regulatory engagement, with a focus on mentally healthy workplaces. Previously, as Director, Health and Return to Work, he led RTW services and workplace health programs across New South Wales in alignment with SIRA and icare objectives.
Before his time at SafeWork NSW, Jim was Director, People Partnerships with the NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation, where he drove the delivery of people strategies in collaboration with the Better Regulation Division. He also led teams at SafeWork NSW as Team Manager – Program & Product Development and Acting Director – Business Strategy Performance, overseeing strategic initiatives such as the Safety Coach Program and Focus on Industry campaigns.
Jim’s earlier experience includes roles as Human Resources Program Manager and National OHS Advisor (Acting) at Centrelink, as well as a foundational career in occupational therapy and rehabilitation with CRS Australia and St. James’s Hospital in Dublin. These roles shaped his empathetic, people-centric leadership approach and deep expertise in EHS, psychosocial safety, and workplace wellbeing.
About icare NSW
icare NSW (Insurance and Care NSW) is a state-run organization providing insurance and long-term care services to the people and businesses of New South Wales. With a portfolio that covers over 326,000 businesses and 3.6 million workers, icare offers tailored support for workplace and road injuries and plays a vital role in risk advising for the NSW Government. The organization protects over $193 billion in assets, including major state landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Guided by a mission to improve lives, icare’s services extend far beyond traditional insurance to include recovery and return-to-work support, employee wellbeing, and strategic WHS planning. With Jim Kelly at the helm of People Care, the organization reinforces its dedication to nurturing a resilient, engaged, and safe workforce.
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