Matt Brown at the NSCA National Safety Conference 

At the NSCA National Safety Conference in Sydney this year, Matt Brown, co-founder of Donesafe and a passionate advocate for the role of technology in safety, shared compelling insights that are reshaping how we think about safety in the workplace. His journey from a health and safety practitioner to the leader of a tech-driven safety platform is a testament to the power of innovation and the unwavering belief that people should always come first in safety. Matt emphasized: 

“Safety isn’t just about compliance. It’s about culture, engagement, and, most importantly, people. Technology should empower workers to make decisions that protect not just themselves, but their colleagues and families.” 

A Personal Journey Shaping His Vision 

Matt’s story is rooted in his own early experiences with workplace safety. “When I was 14, I had my first injury while working at Woolworths, it was a wake-up call, and it exposed me to the importance of safety at an early age.” 

His path to Donesafe took him to a mine site in South Australia, where, at just 21, he became the Health and Safety Business Partner for One Steel at the I-Duke Mine.  

“I remember my boss giving me a shovel and saying, ‘No one will take you seriously if you can’t dig a hole.’ That was my initiation into the world of safety,” Matt recalled. 

While that may have been an unconventional introduction, it was there that Matt realized the importance of building a culture around safety that goes beyond policies and checkboxes.  

“At One Steel, everyone wore a ‘Goal Zero’ badge, meaning no one would be harmed on the job. But everything was done on paper. Those reports piled up, unread and ineffective. And the injuries kept happening,” he noted. 

The Birth of Donesafe and the Vision for a Safer Future 

Frustrated by the inefficiency of traditional safety practices, Matt set out to create something better. “We were spending millions and years building safety software at One Steel, and I thought, ‘Why isn’t there a tool that can be easily adopted by workers? Something simple, intuitive, and actually used?’” he said. 

This vision came to life in 2013 when Donesafe was founded. Initially, the goal was modest—perhaps reaching 100,000 users to make a real impact.  

“Today, Donesafe has grown into a global leader in safety technology, with over 5 million active users,” Matt proudly shared. “We’re now serving more than 50% of the ASX 300 companies,” a testament to the scalability and effectiveness of the platform. 

Empowering Workers Through Simplicity 

What truly sets Donesafe apart is its focus on accessibility and empowerment.

“We wanted to build a system that didn’t just collect data but helped workers engage with it,” Matt explained. “Too often, safety software is prescriptive—telling people how to do things without considering the unique needs of each organisation. We wanted to create a platform that allows safety professionals to customise the system to their specific workplace culture.” 

This emphasis on personalization and flexibility has been key to Donesafe’s success. The platform allows organisations to tailor the system to their specific needs, ensuring better outcomes for both employees and the company. 

Shifting the Focus from Compliance to Wellbeing 

Matt highlighted a significant shift in the way safety is perceived.  

“In the early days, safety was all about checklists and compliance. But today, we’re starting to understand that safety isn’t just about preventing physical injuries. It’s about mental health and wellbeing… This shift means so much to me personally. My father, back in the 90s, experienced a mental health injury at work that was never classified as a safety incident. He couldn’t work for 16 years. Seeing the industry now embracing mental wellbeing as part of safety is incredibly meaningful.” 

This change is more than just a trend, it represents a profound cultural shift within the industry. 

 “We’re not just collecting data on physical incidents anymore,” Matt noted. “We’re collecting data on how people feel, what’s impacting their mental health, and using that information to proactively improve culture.” 

Technology Drives the Transformation of Workplace Safety 

At the core of this transformation is technology. “Donesafe gives employees the tools to engage with safety every day,” Matt said. “When workers have access to real-time data, they can make informed decisions and take action before issues arise. That’s the power of technology. It goes beyond compliance. It helps create a proactive, safety-first culture.” 

With AI and data analytics driving innovation, Donesafe is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in workplace safety. “We can now recommend actions automatically based on the data we collect,” Matt explained. “We’re moving from reactive to proactive safety management. This is the future of workplace safety.” 

Safety as a Shared Responsibility 

Matt closed his address with a powerful reminder:  

“Safety is not just the responsibility of the safety manager or the CEO—it’s everyone’s responsibility. When every employee is empowered to interact with safety every day, we build a culture where safety becomes an integral part of the organisation.” 

His words struck a chord with the audience. The future of workplace safety isn’t solely about better technology or more efficient processes—it’s about a fundamental mindset shift. “We have to care for the whole person, their physical safety, their mental health, and their overall wellbeing. Only then can we build truly safe workplaces,” Matt emphasized. 

A Commitment to Changing the Industry 

Matt’s dedication to improving workplace safety goes far beyond business goals.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of this industry. It’s where I started, and it’s where I’ll always be… The work we do today sets the foundation for safer, healthier workplaces in the future.”

About Matt Browne

Matt co-founded Donesafe, scaling it to 1.5M+ users before its 2020 acquisition by HSI. He is a Co-Founder and Advisor at Whispli and a Venture Partner at Antler, mentoring startups through Founders Institute, BNG Nebula, and Antler. Passionate about tech exports and inclusion, he invests in Goanna Solutions, supporting Indigenous and minority tech literacy. With a decade of startup experience, he advocates for Australia’s shift toward technology-driven economic growth