Got a groundbreaking idea in workplace health, safety or wellbeing?
This is your moment to step into the spotlight.
Pitch your big idea and bring it to life with $50,000 in funding support from the EML Group (EML).
EML is calling on businesses and professional service providers with bold, innovative solutions that can improve workplace health, safety, wellbeing and injury management. Whether it’s research, a product, project or initiative, if it’s fresh, feasible and makes a real impact, we want to hear about it.
Finalists will pitch live on the Spotlight Stage at the Workplace Health & Safety Show in Sydney (21 October 2026), in front of a panel of industry leaders and a live audience.
Finalists Announced
We are excited to announce the three finalists selected for The Pitch Off 2026, each presenting a unique approach to improving workplace health, safety and injury prevention. These finalists will pitch live on stage at the Workplace Health & Safety Show in Sydney (21 October 2026 – 11/30- 12.30pm on the Spotlight Stage), in front of a panel of industry leaders and a live audience.
- Carelever | The Invisible Risk – Researching hidden medical fitness risks in safety-critical roles to better understand and prevent workplace incidents associated with undiagnosed health conditions.
- The Mental Fitness Group | The Critical Moments Method – Applying elite sport performance science to improve safe decision-making and reliable performance during critical workplace moments.
- Let’s Talk About Safety Pty Ltd | Start Safe. Speak Up. Stay In – Supporting safer outcomes for apprentices and young workers through engaging learning resources that build confidence to recognise risks, speak up and stay safe at work.
Zac Lowth
Zac Lowth is the Head of Growth & Customer Success at Carelever, bringing more than 15 years
of experience helping organisations create healthier, safer and more productive workplaces.
With a background spanning workforce wellbeing, health innovation and customer engagement,
Zac works closely with employers to improve the way health risks are identified and managed
within the workplace. Through Carelever’s data-driven approach, he is focused on helping
organisations proactively support worker health, reduce risk and improve workforce outcomes.
Dr Ben Robbins
Dr Ben Robbins is a clinical psychologist who combines behavioural science, elite sport and
frontline industry experience to improve decision-making, wellbeing and performance in high-risk
environments.
After a ten-year AFL career, Ben spent a decade with the Toll Group while completing his PhD in
Psychology. He has since worked across three AFL clubs and with Olympians and professional
athletes.
Through The Mental Fitness Group, Ben helps organisations such as John Holland, Ampol and
Cleanaway translate proven lessons from elite sport into practical tools that build mental fitness,
improve decision-making under pressure and support safer workplace performance.
Patrizia Cassaniti OAM
Patrizia Cassaniti OAM is an internationally recognised workplace health and safety advocate,
keynote speaker and co-founder of the Touched by Christopher Foundation. Following the tragic
workplace death of her son Christopher in 2019, Patrizia has become one of Australia’s leading
voices on safety culture, worker empowerment and preventing workplace complacency.
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to workplace health and safety,
Patrizia works across construction, mining, manufacturing and engineering industries, sharing her
powerful story to help organisations create safer workplaces and encourage workers to speak up
when something doesn’t feel right.
Through her advocacy, partnership with SafeWork NSW and ongoing support of families affected
by workplace tragedies, Patrizia continues her mission to ensure that no Australian worker goes to
work and doesn’t come home.
From idea to real impact
In 2025, Safety Compass pitched an augmented reality safety solution and took out the Pitch Off, winning both the judges and audience vote.
“Winning the Pitch Off gave us a valuable platform to showcase our technology and accelerate our growth. With EML’s support, we’ve strengthened our app and are now progressing pilots with leading Australian companies.” – Adam Poole, Co-founder, Safety Compass
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About the Program
The Pitch Off is proudly funded by the Mutual Benefits Program.
The Mutual Benefits Program is funded by Employers Mutual Ltd, proudly part of the EML Group (EML).
Providing a safe workplace is more than meeting legal requirements, it’s about supporting the health and wellbeing of your people. At EML, we’ve been a leader in personal injury claims management for 115 years, partnering with Australian businesses and government agencies to improve workplace outcomes.
Through the Mutual Benefits Program, EML has invested $144 million over the last 10 years into innovative tools, training and support services that help prevent injuries and support recovery.
The Pitch Off is another example of how great ideas become real solutions – supporting innovation that drives safer, healthier workplaces.