Psychosocial risk compliance in Australia

Q: What does “reasonably practicable” mean for psychosocial risks?

Take steps that are reasonably able to be done considering likelihood, harm severity, knowledge, control options and cost.

Q: Do we need separate assessments for each jurisdiction?

Run one national process and add jurisdictional appendices covering local controls, consultation and regulator references.

Q: How do officers demonstrate due diligence?

Officers review psychosocial risk assessments, ensure resourcing, verify control effectiveness and stay informed about updates to WA, NSW and QLD Codes.

Plain-English summary of duties for PCBUs and officers across jurisdictions, with links to approved Codes and examples of reasonably practicable controls.

How we validate

Cross-checked with the national model Code, WA Code, SafeWork NSW guidance and WorkSafe QLD’s approved Code.

Last updated

6 October 2025

Download the assessment template Work through the four-step assessment

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.^{Model Code}

The model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work applies in a jurisdiction only when approved or recognised by the local regulator, so always cross-check for approved Codes or supplementary guidance.^{Safe Work Australia}

Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland have approved psychosocial hazard Codes that sit alongside the model Code and provide enforceable expectations for PCBUs.^{WorkSafe WA}^{SafeWork NSW}^{WorkSafe QLD}

Jurisdiction snapshot

Jurisdiction	Status	Key references	Inspector focus
Commonwealth / Model	Model Code of Practice (2022)	Safe Work Australia	Expect evidence of the four-step risk process and worker consultation.
Western Australia	Approved Code (updated Feb 2025)	WA Code summary	Risk assessments, control hierarchy, consultation and verification evidence.^{WorkSafe WA}
New South Wales	Approved Code (2023)	SafeWork NSW	Inspectors apply the Code and WHS Amendment Regulation 2022 requirements for psychosocial hazards.^{SafeWork NSW}
Queensland	Approved Code (enforceable Apr 2023)	WorkSafe QLD	Expect to show hazard registers, consultation, monitoring and combined hazard controls.^{WorkSafe QLD}
VIC, SA, TAS, NT, ACT	Adopt model Code guidance	Check local regulator guidance referencing the model Code	Demonstrate identify → assess → control → review cycle and consultation.^{Model Code}

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.^{Model Code}

Work design: Align staffing to demand forecasts, rotate tasks, cap overtime and 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 and 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.

New South Wales

SafeWork NSW guide emphasising consultation, workload controls and change management.

Queensland

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.^{Model Code}

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.^{Model Code}

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.^{Model Code}