Industry peak bodies, including the Australian Retail Council (ARC), are backing the Minns Labor Government in its crackdown on retail crime across New South Wales.
The NSW Government will begin targeted consultation with retailers, police, unions and legal stakeholders on how to better protect retail staff from violence.
Last year, the government announced that its new policing model Operation Percentile, which targets recidivist and high-harm offenders, would be rolled out statewide following success in the Central Metropolitan Region.
The Government is examining additional measures to build on existing protections against retail crime.
Consultation will begin this week on a model for Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) with enhanced protections anticipated to be introduced this year.
WPOs are designed to prevent an offender from engaging in threatening or violent behaviour against a retail worker. This includes the ability to apply for a court order banning an offender from entering a premises.
This next step towards a model for WPOs builds on a retail crime strategy announced by NSW Police in October to target repeat, serious offenders and keep workers safe.
As part of the strategy, police are conducting high visibility, intelligence-led operations in retail precincts to prevent and disrupt violent behaviour and other retail crime.
Since October 2025, police have charged 525 people, issued 392 court attendance notices and recovered more than $230,000 worth of stolen stock under Operation Percentile.
In 2023, the Government created three new offences for harassing, stalking or assaulting a retail worker punishable by up to 11 years’ imprisonment.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis said these laws are already sending strong signals.
“Since July 2023, 192 individuals have been charged with 242 offences with 41 individuals receiving a custodial imprisonment sentence,” Cotsis said.
“I’ve established a tripartite working group with SafeWork NSW, the SDA and retailers to address violence and abuse in the sector and strengthen compliance. This work is also supported by SafeWork NSW’s Respect at Work team, which provides tailored guidance to prevent harassment.
“This reform will complement this important work.”
ARC CEO Chris Rodwell said retail crime has escalated to crisis levels, with organised crime playing an increasing role. Citing data from Auror, he said 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for roughly 60 per cent of the harm experienced by retailers.
“This isn’t just about theft – retail workers are facing increasing levels of abuse, threats and violence while simply doing their jobs,” he said.
“Operation Percentile is already making a meaningful difference on the ground by targeting high harm repeat offenders. We strongly support this approach and welcome the Government’s commitment to strengthening protections for frontline retail staff.”
Rodwell added that WPOs are the key missing piece in cracking down on retail crime. He said they provide a clear legal mechanism to prevent known offenders from returning to stores where they’ve caused harm, which should help break the cycle of repeat offending.
“We look forward to working closely with the Government, police and stakeholders to bring these orders into effect as quickly as possible,” he said.
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) CEO Angus Nardi also welcomed the move, commending the Minister for Industry Relations, Sophie Cotsis and the wider government for taking action.
NSW SDA secretary Bernie Smith said the WPO orders send a simple message that builds on the Minns Government’s increased penalties for assaulting retail workers: treat retail workers with respect or face the consequences.
"In the ACT, the use of Workplace Protection Orders has seen a 23 per cent reduction in violent incidents,” Smith said.
"The SDA welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement as the next step to reduce the shocking rate of retail abuse and violence. We call on the community to support these changes and support retail workers.”