Victorian psychosocial safety laws take effect

Victoria has introduced a new law that will govern how employers manage and tackle psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

Under its new legislation, Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025, the Victorian government aims to protect all workers from psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

Victorian Minister for WorkSafe and the Transport Accident Commission, Ben Carroll, said these changes provide clarity to employers, reinforcing their role in preventing psychological risks and keeping their workers safe from physical and psychological harm.

These hazards – which include bullying, sexual harassment, aggression or violence, and exposure to traumatic events or content – constitute harmful psychosocial harms, which Victoria’s government aims to tackle through this regulation.

In findings by the Victorian government, psychological injuries led to longer periods away from work, with 42 per cent of workers with a mental injury returning to work within six months last financial year, compared to workers with physical injuries (75 per cent).

Accompanying the new laws is a supporting compliance code, which provides employers with information about their obligations under the new regulations.

In addition, a range of tools and resources has been made available for employers, including an optional prevention plan template to help guide the risk management process.

Minister for Mental Health of Victoria, Ingrid Stitt, said: “These new regulations make it very clear to every employer that they have a responsibility to provide their staff with a safe and mentally healthy workplace that is free from psychological harm.”

Physical hazards are just one of the potential risks in the workplace; employers also play a crucial role in protecting workers from risks to their mental health, said WorkSafe Victoria chief health and safety officer Sam Jenkin (pictured).

“Just like physical injuries, psychological injuries can take a terrible toll on workers’ lives, and the new regulations make absolutely clear the steps employers must take to identify hazards and control the associated risks,” Jenkin said.