As Australia’s approach to fire safety continues to evolve, the focus is increasingly shifting from regulatory compliance alone towards building a culture where safety is embedded at every level of an organisation. While stronger standards, improved enforcement and greater industry awareness have driven meaningful progress, questions remain about whether compliance frameworks are consistently translating into safer behaviours, better decision-making and stronger outcomes in practice. Creating a truly resilient fire safety environment requires more than meeting regulatory obligations; it demands leadership, accountability and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

The session will examine how Australia’s fire safety landscape is changing and explore whether the industry is successfully moving from a compliance-driven mindset to a culture-driven approach. It will consider the challenges of maintaining standards across the building lifecycle, strengthening responsibility and fostering greater collaboration, while highlighting the role of culture in creating safer buildings, more resilient organisations and better long-term safety outcomes.