Psychosocial Legislation in Victoria and how Psychgroup can Assist
Managing Psychosocial Risk Under the WorkSafe Compliance Code
How the risk management cycle works and how Psychgroup can be your trusted compliance partner
WorkSafe Victoria’s Compliance Code sets out a clear, four‑step risk management cycle for psychosocial hazards: identify, assess, control, and monitor & review. Following this cycle helps employers meet their duties under the OHS Act and the OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations and reduces the likelihood of psychological and physical harm to employees.
The Risk Management Cycle Explained
Identify Assess Control Monitor & Review
- Identify: Employers must identify psychosocial hazards arising from work design, systems of work, management of work, how work is carried out, and personal or work‑related interactions. Practical identification draws on HR and OHS records, surveys, observations and consultation with employees and HSRs.
- Assess: A risk assessment examines how likely exposure is, how often it occurs, and the severity of potential harm. Assessments should consider interacting hazards, who is most at risk, and whether current controls are effective.
- Control: The Code requires employers to eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable; where elimination is not possible, employers must reduce risk by changing management, plant, systems of work, work design or the workplace environment, and use information/training only where higher‑order controls are not reasonably practicable.
- Monitor & Review: Controls must be maintained and reviewed whenever new information emerges, after incidents, when controls are ineffective, or when HSRs request a review. Reviews must be documented and revised controls implemented where needed.
Practical Steps Employers Can Take (with examples)
Turn the Code into action
- Identify: Use de‑identified EAP and workers’ compensation trends, absenteeism, exit interviews and validated surveys to spot patterns that indicate hazards such as high job demands, poor support or bullying.
- Assess: Map who is exposed, how often and for how long; prioritise hazards that are frequent, prolonged or could cause severe harm; involve subject matter experts if internal capability is limited.
- Control: Prefer design and system changes (e.g., role redesign, rostering, physical barriers, automation) over training alone; combine controls (environmental, managerial and procedural) to reduce cumulative risk.
- Monitor & Review: Put simple record‑keeping and review triggers in place (incident trends, post‑incident reviews, scheduled audits) so controls remain effective and proportionate to changing risk profiles.
How Psychgroup Supports Organisations as Trusted Compliance Advisors
Practical, regulator‑aligned support that builds capability
Psychgroup Training & Advisory is led by psychologists and workplace mental health experts and works with organisations to translate the Compliance Code into practical, defensible systems. We provide:
- Regulatory alignment and audit support — desktop audits and gap analyses that map your current systems to the Compliance Code and identify priority actions.
- Risk assessment and evidence capture — validated survey design, de‑identified data review, facilitated focus groups and documented risk assessments that meet the Code’s expectations for evidence and consultation.
- Higher‑order control design — co‑design of work redesign, systems and environmental controls (rostering, role clarity, workload systems, physical safety measures) so training is not the predominant control.
- Implementation and governance — project management, policy and procedure drafting, and governance frameworks that embed consultation, record‑keeping and review cycles required by the Code.
- Capability building — tailored training for leaders and managers, and practical coaching so your people can identify hazards, make defensible decisions and sustain improvements.
We provide services to WorkSafe Victoria and our consultants are trained in compliance and the legal infrastructure of psychosocial risk management, so you get advice that is both evidence‑based and regulator‑aware.
Psychosocial Risk Manager Assist Advisory Line
A concise, EAP‑style advisory service for trained leaders
Overview A dedicated advisory line for leaders who have completed Psychgroup’s psychosocial risk training. It provides immediate, expert support to help managers apply best practice risk management, make defensible decisions and support staff wellbeing as issues arise.
Value to leaders
- Confidence in action — rapid specialist advice so leaders can respond safely and lawfully.
- Reduced escalation — practical guidance to resolve issues locally and escalate clearly when needed.
- Better outcomes — faster, consistent support for staff with stress, performance or conduct concerns.
- Sustained capability — real‑time coaching that reinforces training and builds manager confidence.
Delivery 30–60 minute telephone or online consultations on an as‑needed basis.
Next Steps
If you’re preparing for compliance with the Psychological Health Regulations or want to strengthen your risk management cycle, Psychgroup can help you convert the Code into practical, sustainable systems. Visit www.psychgroup.com.au to learn more or to arrange an initial compliance audit and advisory session.