Resources & Latest Updates
Curated links to authoritative sources, downloadable resources, emerging regulatory developments, and important case studies shaping the psychosocial safety landscape.
Key Regulator Sites
Safe Work Australia
The national policy body developing model WHS laws and codes of practice for managing psychosocial hazards.
WorkSafe Victoria
Victoria's proactive WHS regulator with comprehensive psychosocial hazard guidance and enforcement.
Comcare
Regulates Commonwealth workplaces and publishes leading research on psychological injury claims.
SafeWork NSW
NSW's workplace safety regulator with mental health at work resources and compliance guidance.
WorkSafe Queensland
Queensland's regulator with strong enforcement powers including industrial manslaughter provisions.
HSE (UK)
The UK's Health and Safety Executive with Management Standards for work-related stress.
EU-OSHA
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work — research and guidance on psychosocial risks.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Developed the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Downloadable Resources
Exposure to common psychosocial hazards at work poster
A visual poster identifying the 17 psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Ideal for display in workplaces to raise awareness among managers and employees.
Access ResourceModel Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work
The authoritative code of practice for identifying, assessing, and controlling psychosocial hazards. Essential reading for all employers and WHS professionals.
Access ResourceBlueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces
A practical guide to creating and sustaining mentally healthy workplaces, with evidence-based strategies for employers.
Access ResourcePsychosocial risk assessment tools
Practical tools and templates for conducting psychosocial risk assessments in your workplace.
Access ResourceRegulatory Timeline
WorkSafe Victoria releases updated psychosocial hazards poster
New awareness materials published for workplace display, covering all 17 psychosocial hazards with practical guidance for managers and workers.
Safe Work Australia publishes updated Key WHS Statistics
Annual statistics report shows continued growth in psychological injury claims, with median costs and time off work for psychological claims continuing to diverge from physical injury claims.
Positive duty for sexual harassment comes into force
The Australian Human Rights Commission gains new enforcement powers under amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act, requiring employers to proactively prevent sexual harassment.
Model WHS Regulations amended for psychosocial hazards
Safe Work Australia's model WHS Regulations explicitly require PCBUs to manage psychosocial risks. States begin adopting the amendments into their jurisdictions.
Model Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work published
Safe Work Australia releases the first comprehensive code of practice specifically addressing psychosocial hazards, providing practical guidance for compliance.
ISO 45003 published
The first international standard providing guidelines for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace, built on the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system.
Case Studies & Examples
Respect@Work Report & Law Reform
The Australian Human Rights Commission's landmark Respect@Work report (2020) revealed the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment and led to sweeping legislative reform. Key changes included the introduction of a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment — shifting the burden from reactive complaint-handling to proactive prevention.
Outcome & Significance
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 was amended to include a positive duty. The Australian Human Rights Commission gained enforcement powers for systemic discrimination and harassment. This reform fundamentally changed how organisations must approach harassment as a psychosocial hazard.
Source: Australian Human Rights Commission, Respect@Work (2020)
WorkSafe Victoria Prosecution — Employer Failure to Manage Bullying
WorkSafe Victoria prosecuted an employer for failing to provide a workplace safe from bullying after a worker suffered a serious psychological injury. The employer had received multiple complaints about a manager's behaviour but failed to take adequate action. The prosecution highlighted the regulator's willingness to treat psychosocial hazard failures with the same seriousness as physical safety failures.
Outcome & Significance
The employer was convicted and fined. The case established an important precedent that failure to manage psychosocial hazards such as bullying can result in prosecution under occupational health and safety legislation.
Source: WorkSafe Victoria Enforcement Actions
Commonwealth Bank of Australia — Prudential Inquiry
APRA's Prudential Inquiry into CBA revealed that cultural and governance failings — including inadequate accountability, a reactive approach to risk, and insufficient attention to non-financial risks — contributed to a pattern of compliance failures. While not framed as a psychosocial safety inquiry, it highlighted how organisational culture, poor change management, and inadequate support systems create systemic risks.
Outcome & Significance
CBA was required to implement significant governance and cultural reforms. The inquiry influenced APRA's broader approach to non-financial risk including psychosocial risk factors such as excessive workloads, poor support, and inadequate change management.
Source: APRA Prudential Inquiry into CBA (2018)
ISO 45003 Early Adopters — Global Case Studies
Organisations across multiple sectors — including healthcare, mining, financial services, and technology — have begun implementing ISO 45003 as a framework for psychosocial risk management. Early adopters report improved worker engagement, reduced absenteeism, and better identification of systemic risks that traditional safety programs missed.
Outcome & Significance
ISO 45003 is increasingly being used as a benchmark for psychosocial safety maturity, with some procurement processes and tenders now requiring compliance or alignment with the standard.
Source: ISO, various industry reports