Psychosocial Risk Resource
Psychosocial risk compliance in Australia
Plain-English summary of duties for PCBUs and officers across jurisdictions, with links to approved Codes and examples of reasonably practicable controls. Last updated 6 October 2025.
How we validate
This summary is cross-checked with the national model Code, WA Code, SafeWork NSW guidance, and WorkSafe QLD's approved Code.
Download the assessment template or work through the four-step assessment.
Direct answer: what does psychosocial risk compliance require in Australia?
Psychosocial risk compliance requires PCBUs to eliminate or minimise psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable, consult workers, apply suitable controls, and verify that controls remain effective. Officers must exercise due diligence by staying informed, allocating resources, and checking that the organisation follows the relevant WHS laws, Regulations, and approved Codes.
National duty baseline
All WHS jurisdictions require PCBUs to eliminate or minimise psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Officers must exercise due diligence by acquiring WHS knowledge, ensuring resources, and verifying compliance, while workers must take reasonable care. See Safe Work Australia's model Code.
The model Code applies in a jurisdiction only when approved or recognised by the local regulator, so always cross-check for approved Codes or supplementary guidance. Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland have approved psychosocial hazard Codes that sit alongside the model Code and provide enforceable expectations for PCBUs.
Jurisdiction snapshot
| Jurisdiction | Status | Key references | Inspector focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth / Model | Model Code of Practice (2022) | Safe Work Australia model Code | Evidence of the four-step risk process and worker consultation. |
| Western Australia | Approved Code (updated Feb 2025) | WA Code summary · WorkSafe WA | Risk assessments, control hierarchy, consultation, and verification. |
| New South Wales | Approved Code (2023) | SafeWork NSW | Inspectors apply the Code and WHS Amendment Regulation 2022 requirements for psychosocial hazards. |
| Queensland | Approved Code (enforceable Apr 2023) | WorkSafe QLD | Hazard registers, consultation, monitoring, combined-hazard controls. |
| VIC, SA, TAS, NT, ACT | Adopt model Code guidance | Local regulator guidance referencing the model Code | Identify → assess → control → review cycle and consultation. |
Reasonably practicable controls
Use the examples below to show officers and inspectors that controls are proportionate to the risk. The model Code highlights the need to consider likelihood, harm severity, knowledge of hazards, available controls, and cost when determining what is reasonably practicable.
- Work design: Align staffing to demand forecasts, rotate tasks, cap overtime, support flexible arrangements.
- Environment: Secure workplaces against aggression, provide duress systems, manage thermal comfort.
- Systems: Implement fair workload allocation, clear role expectations, timely change communication.
- Support: Provide access to EAP, psychological first aid, cultural safety programs, trained supervisors.
- Review: Track indicators (Echo data, grievances, incidents) and review control effectiveness regularly.
Link duties to Echo workflows
- Identify: Echo voice analytics surfaces hazard themes by location, shift, and cohort.
- Assess: Built-in matrix and expert review tags rate severity/likelihood.
- Control: Action boards assign owners, due dates, and attach evidence.
- Review: Dashboards compare leading indicators and push alerts when controls drift.
This alignment helps officers show due diligence under section 27 duties.
Go deeper by jurisdiction
- Western Australia — checklist, inspector expectations, and practical examples from the approved Code.
- SafeWork NSW guidance — emphasises consultation, workload controls, and change management.
- WorkSafe QLD Code — Queensland Code outlining obligations for PCBUs, officers, and workers.
Frequently asked questions
What does "reasonably practicable" mean for psychosocial risks?
Take steps that are reasonably able to be done considering the likelihood and severity of harm, what is known or ought reasonably be known about the hazard, available and suitable controls, and whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.
Do we need separate assessments for each jurisdiction?
Use one national assessment process, then add jurisdictional appendices noting local controls, consultation requirements, and regulator references.
How do officers demonstrate due diligence?
By reviewing psychosocial risk assessments, ensuring resources, verifying controls, and staying informed about regulatory updates such as WA, NSW, and QLD Codes.