Back to the February 2023 News Update

Katherine Taylor
Director Psychosocial and Consultation Policy

Psychological health and safety at work is a key priority for Safe Work Australia, and for good reason. Psychosocial hazards can cause psychological and physical harm. On average, work-related psychological injuries have longer recovery times, higher costs, and require more time away from work. We know that psychological injuries continue to rise in number and severity. 

We are working to help PCBUs understand that they must adopt a preventative approach – that is, take positive action – to identify and manage psychosocial risks before they result in harm.

Last year, we provided PCBUs with clarity on how to meet existing duties in the model WHS Act by including new regulations on how to manage psychosocial risks, including sexual harassment. We also published a model Code of Practice to provide practical guidance to help duty holders effectively manage psychosocial risks.

The Strategy calls for Safe Work Australia Members to take action to increase the capability of PCBUs, regulators and workers to ensure compliance with the duty to manage psychosocial hazards at work. This will certainly remain a focus for my team over the next couple of years. We also know we need data to better capture exposure to psychosocial hazards and psychological injuries and I look forward to working in collaboration with data experts and researchers to try to understand whether recent regulatory changes are having the desired effect.

Go to the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023-2033.