Victoria: psychological health requires safer work, not just resilience training

Victoria’s Psychological health compliance code took effect on 1 December 2025 alongside the Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025. It is a Victorian OHS code, not a national model WHS code.

What matters at work

Employers must identify psychosocial hazards and eliminate associated risks where reasonably practicable. Otherwise they must reduce them. Relevant hazards include violence, traumatic exposure, excessive demands, poor support and isolated work.

The control hierarchy matters. Information, instruction or training can be the sole control only when none of the specified changes to work, plant or the environment is reasonably practicable. Where controls are combined, training must not predominate. Consultation must involve the HSR where employees have one. Controls need review, not merely a policy launch.

A corrections example

Imagine repeated assaults during a particular movement period. A useful question is not simply whether every officer attended refresher training. Ask what the incident pattern reveals about the movement arrangements, staffing, communication, physical layout and timely access to assistance. Record the proposed improvements, responsible person and review date. This is an illustrative application, not a finding about any prison.

Status and source

The code offers deemed compliance only for duties it addresses. It does not replace the legislation or eliminate risks outside its scope. General education, not individual legal advice.

Read WorkSafe’s code and status explanation and the complete official PDF, particularly Part 3 and Appendix C.