Violence and abuse against retail workers has become such a headache that governments are starting to reach for stronger tools to deal with repeat offenders.

Now the NSW Government is exploring a new measure that could see violent shoppers banned from stores altogether.

The Minns Labor Government has announced it will begin targeted consultation with retailers, unions, police and legal stakeholders on a new model for Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) – a court order designed to keep aggressive offenders out of retail premises.

The move comes as retail crime continues to escalate across the country and follows action in Victoria, where the state government has already launched a retail crime blitz and committed $650 million to maintain police patrols in troubled shopping centre hotspots.

NSW says the new orders would add another layer of protection for frontline retail staff who are increasingly dealing with abuse, threats and violence on the job.

A banning order for troublemakers

The proposed Workplace Protection Orders would allow courts to issue orders preventing offenders from entering specific retail premises if they’ve previously engaged in threatening or violent behaviour. If someone abuses or assaults staff, a court could ban them from coming back.

Attorney General Michael Daley said protecting retail workers from harassment and violence is a priority.

“No one deserves to be harassed, intimidated or abused simply for doing their job. Violence against retail workers has no place in New South Wales,” Daley said.

He said the government already had strong laws in place but believed further action was needed.

“The Government already has robust protections for retail workers, but we know there is more to do. That’s why we are speaking with unions, retailers and other groups on how Workplace Protection Orders can be added to our toolkit and what form they can take,” Daley said.

“We are determined to further stamp out this despicable behaviour.”

If implemented, the orders would effectively give businesses and courts another way to deal with repeat offenders who cycle through stores causing trouble.

Police crackdown already underway

The consultation builds on a retail crime strategy launched by NSW Police last October targeting repeat offenders and organised theft. Under Operation Percentile, police have been conducting high-visibility patrols and intelligence-led operations in retail precincts across the state.

The results so far suggest the crackdown is making an impact.

Since October 2025 police have:

• Charged 525 people
• Issued 392 court attendance notices
• Recovered more than $230,000 worth of stolen goods

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the message from police was simple. “Anyone who assaults or intimidates a worker is among the lowest of the low,” Catley said.

“Police are working tirelessly to keep our shops safe by targeting retail crime and repeat offenders. Operation Percentile is policing at its finest.”

Catley said officers were continuing patrols in shopping centres and retail precincts to disrupt crime and reassure workers and shoppers.

“We want all workers and shoppers to feel and most importantly, be safe.”

Tougher laws already on the books

The potential new orders would sit alongside tougher penalties already introduced in NSW.

In 2023, the government created three new criminal offences for harassing, stalking or assaulting a retail worker. These carry penalties of up to 11 years’ imprisonment.

Since July 2023:

192 people have been charged

242 offences have been laid

41 offenders have received custodial sentences

Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said the government had zero tolerance for abuse of retail staff.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe at work,” Cotsis said.

She said the new proposal would complement existing work already underway with regulators, unions and retailers.

“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 reform will complement this important work.”

Retail groups say repeat offenders drive the problem

Retail industry groups say the scale of the issue has grown significantly in recent years, with organised crime and repeat offenders responsible for a large share of incidents.

Australian Retailers Council CEO Chris Rodwell said data from crime intelligence platform Auror shows a small group of offenders is responsible for a disproportionate amount of harm.

“Retail crime has escalated to crisis levels, with organised crime playing an increasing role,” Rodwell said.

“Auror data shows around 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for roughly 60 per cent of the harm experienced by retailers.”

He said the problem goes well beyond shoplifting.

“This isn’t just about theft — retail workers are facing increasing levels of abuse, threats and violence while simply doing their jobs.”

Rodwell said Workplace Protection Orders could help break the cycle of repeat offending.

“They provide a clear legal mechanism to prevent known offenders from returning to stores where they’ve caused harm.”

Unions say retail staff have pushed for the change

Retail workers’ union, the SDA, has long called for banning orders as a way to protect staff from repeat offenders. SDA Secretary Bernie Smith said the orders would send a strong signal.

“SDA members have long campaigned for Workplace Protection Orders to keep repeat offenders out of retail workplaces,” Smith said.

“These banning orders send a simple message… treat retail workers with respect or face the consequences.”

Smith pointed to evidence from the ACT where similar orders are already in place.

“In the ACT, the use of Workplace Protection Orders has seen a 23 per cent reduction in violent incidents.”

Retail centres back stronger protections

Shopping centres have also welcomed the announcement. Shopping Centre Council of Australia CEO Angus Nardi said the industry supported stronger measures to tackle aggression and violence in retail environments.

“We commend Minister Cotsis and the NSW Government for taking strong action to prevent aggression and violence against workers in retail settings,” Nardi said.

“Our industry looks forward to engaging with the Government on developing the WPO model and legislation to ensure that it can be an effective and practical measure.”

Consultation on the proposed Workplace Protection Orders is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the NSW Government aiming to introduce enhanced protections later this year.

Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Business Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.