Vic Psychological OHS Regs

The Victorian Government has announced plans to re-release their Psychological Health Regulations. Psychosocial hazards include; bullying, sexual harassment, aggression or violence and exposure to traumatic events.

Victoria has experienced an increase in work-related mental injuries, which represented 18 per cent of all new WorkCover claims in 2023-24, up from 16 per cent the previous year and nine per cent before 2009.

The new regulations strengthen how psychosocial hazards are to be managed in the workplace, by creating new obligations for employers to pro-actively identify and control psychological hazards, and not simply wait for psycho-social claims.

It is planned the regulations will be made in October to take effect from December this year.

A Compliance Code will be published to assist employers on how to meet their duties under the proposed regulations, including guidance on how prevention plans can help eliminate or reduce the risks.