Victorian VPS safety and rehabilitation policy: consultation and support after a critical incident
The policy explains agreement duties alongside Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and workplace injury framework. It is not a substitute for the legislation or an approved WorkSafe code.
How it works in practice
Clause 81.7 covers support and debriefing when a critical incident experienced directly or vicariously causes distress or trauma. In a prison, staff dealing with the details of a serious incident may be affected even when they were not at the scene. Ask how affected staff can access support, and raise any continuing hazard separately so it is addressed rather than treated only as a welfare issue.
The policy also explains consultation: share relevant information, allow a reasonable opportunity for views and take those views into account. If employees have a health and safety representative, involve them. Where a proposed major change affects safety, check both the agreement’s change process and the OHS consultation duty. Record controls, who will implement them and when they will be reviewed.
Source and status
This Victorian Public Service common policy was listed as updated 23 December 2025. It guides clause 81. The Victorian Government says common policies prevail over inconsistent agency policies, while the agreement and applicable legislation prevail over the common policy. Check coverage before relying on it, particularly outside the Victorian Public Service.
Read the official policy PDF and check the common policy register. General information only.
Read the official policy PDF on this page
© Copyright State Government of Victoria. Unaltered copy of the official source PDF, reproduced under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Check the official source for later updates.
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