Employers in Victoria must now take specific steps to identify psychosocial hazards and control work-related risks to mental health, following the commencement of new obligations in December.

The Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 make it clear that Victorian employers must address risks associated with psychosocial hazards – such as bullying, sexual harassment, aggression or violence, and exposure to traumatic events or content.

“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,” said WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin.

The changes align with regulations introduced in other Australian states and territories and reinforce the existing duty of employers to provide a working environment that is safe and free from risks to health, including psychological health.

New obligations

In 2024-25, 17 per cent of workplace injury claims to WorkSafe were reported as mental injuries.

Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll says the new regulations ensure that employers are clear about what they need to do to provide a psychologically safe workplace.

“No one should have to deal with behaviour like bullying, harassment or aggression on the job, he said.

Under the changes, Victorian employers now have a specific duty to identify psychosocial hazards, take reasonable steps to eliminate or control the associated risks, and review risk controls.

A psychological health compliance code has been published to provide practical guidance to employers about their obligations, including definitions of psychosocial hazards and examples of how they might apply across different types of workplaces.

Since the regulations were made in September, WorkSafe has also undertaken a range of awareness and education activities to support duty holders to understand and prepare for the transition.

The regulations provide the flexibility for duty holders to identify and control psychosocial hazards and risks in the way that best supports their working environment.

Workers with concerns about psychosocial hazards in their workplace can contact WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.