Victoria’s New Psychological Health Code: A Stronger Step Toward Mentally Safe Workplaces
Starting 1 December 2025, Victoria will introduce a new Compliance Code for Psychological Health under the Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025. This update from WorkSafe Victoria provides practical guidance for employers to identify, assess, and control psychosocial hazards—factors in work design, management, or interpersonal interactions that may cause harm to workers’ mental or physical health.
Psychosocial risks such as bullying, high job demands, poor organisational change management, and low recognition or support have long contributed to stress-related injuries, burnout, and reduced workplace wellbeing. Victoria, is the final state or territory to recognise that psychological health is as critical as physical safety—and requires employers to act proactively to create environments free from harm.
Under the Code, employers must so far as is reasonably practicable:
Identify psychosocial hazards and assess associated risks.
Consult with employees and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) at every stage.
Eliminate or, where not practicable, reduce these risks through effective systems of work, job design, leadership practices, and workplace culture.
Provide adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision to support mental health at work.
A National Shift Toward Safer, More Supportive Workplaces
This regulation now reflects a full national shift: psychological health is no longer optional—it’s a legal and moral responsibility. It strengthens accountability and encourages leaders to embed psychological safety and trust at the core of workplace operations across all Australian jurisdictions..
At Shared Safety and Risk, we believe safe workplaces are a shared responsibility. Our goal is to help organisations go beyond compliance — fostering genuine wellbeing, resilience, and trust.
We have been partnering with our clients for over five years now to:
Implement proactive psychosocial risk management
Strengthen psychosocial leadership and consultation
Respond to Regulator psychosocial queries effectively
Identify protective factors and key work design risk controls to that protect both body and mind
Victoria’s new Code offers an opportunity to review systems, enhance support, and ensure every worker feels safe, valued, and heard.
Learn more here about how we can help your organisation align with Victoria’s new psychosocial health Regulations.
For more details, you can access the full compliance code at WorkSafe Victoria.
