Tough times for WorkSafe have been laid bare - in a newly released Cabinet paper

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment paper, shows the workplace regulator lacked control over its resources, and needed to be bailed out.

It exposes a 17.8 million dollar gap between WorkSafe's initial budget, and available funding for 2023 and 2024 - and identifies 18 million dollars of savings.

Among the measures to fix the hole, includes the cutting off 170 roles - and the culling of some services, including a victim support service.

WorkSafe's chief executive, is stepping down from the role this month.