They are finally here!! Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025. From December 2025, Victorian workplaces have clearer rules for managing psychological health. This means employers must not only protect workers from physical injury but also from psychological harm — things like work overload, bullying, poor work design, or exposure to traumatic events.
The new WorkSafe Psychological Health Compliance Code https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/compliance-code-psychological-health gives step-by-step guidance. Here’s quick summary of what small and medium-sized businesses need to know.
Why it matters
• Psychological injuries are often more costly and harder to recover from than physical ones.
• A healthy workplace leads to better staff retention, productivity, and reputation.
• The law now requires businesses to actively manage psychosocial risks.
Common psychosocial hazards
Think about what could cause stress, harm, or mental injury in your workplace. Examples include:
• Bullying, harassment, or aggression
• Too much work or not enough staff
• Poor communication or unclear job roles
• Remote or isolated work
• Poorly managed organisational change
• Exposure to traumatic content (e.g. frontline, community or care work)
What you need to do as an employer (the basics)
- Identify hazards – Talk to your staff, look at complaints, surveys, and incident reports.
- Assess the risks – Which hazards are most likely to cause harm? Who could be affected? What are the possible consequences
- Control the risks – Make changes: balance workloads, set clear roles, train managers, create respectful workplace policies.
- Review regularly – Check that your solutions are working, and update them as changes occur or new information is made apparent.
- Record your Risk Assessments via a Prevention Plan using this WorkSafe Victoria Template or something similar
Key tips for small to medium businesses
• Start simple: even regular team check-ins and documenting issues show you’re serious.
• If you have 50 staff or more – consider completing the free People at Work survey with your staff. https://www.peopleatwork.gov.au/
• Focus on the basics: clear roles, fair workloads, respectful behaviour.
• Involve staff: they see risks early and often have good ideas for solutions.
• Update existing policies and procedures, and make sure staff are inducted and trained in their implementation : don’t reinvent the wheel — build on what you already have.
• Lead by example: managers set the tone in small workplaces.
• Keep records: note hazards, discussions, and actions you’ve taken.
• Seek help if needed: WorkSafe resources, industry bodies, or consultants can support you. Read through the Compliance Code. Attend the WorkSafe webinar to increase your understanding of requirements 27 October 2025 https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/events/hs-month-2025-psychological-health-regulations-focus-risk-management-webinar
The bottom line
Looking after psychological health is now part of your legal duty, but it’s also good for business. By taking simple, structured steps, you can create a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace.
👉 For practical tools and guidance, visit WorkSafe Victoria – Psychological Health. For consulting assistance, including Risk Assessments, Prevention Plans and Mental Health awareness training options contact Julie at ohsandhr@gmail.com
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