The NSW Government has launched a new plan to help employers manage psychosocial risks and protect their workers from psychological harms. The SafeWork NSW Psychological Health and Safety Strategy 2024-2026 outlines how the workplace regulator will support employers in managing these risks and complying with their duty to prevent psychological harm in NSW workplaces.

Backed by a $5.6 million investment over the next two years, the strategy aims to deliver workplace mental health programs for small and medium businesses through the Black Dog Institute and Transitioning Well. These programs target small businesses, which make up the bulk of employers in NSW and typically have fewer resources to manage mental health effectively.
‍

Economic impact of workplace mental health

Workplace mental ill health is estimated to cost Australian businesses up to $39 billion each year due to lost participation and productivity. Recognising this, workplace leaders understand that protecting the mental well-being of workers helps retain top talent and maintain a productive workforce.
‍

Key initiatives of the 2024-2026 strategy

The new strategy includes several key initiatives:

• Providing practical tools, resources, and webinars to help businesses.

• Translating all resources to support culturally and linguistically diverse workers, a high-risk category for psychological injury.

• Building capability across SafeWork NSW’s inspectorate and conducting compliance visits in high-risk workplaces.

• Creating industry forums to identify psychosocial hazards specific to each industry.

Together, these initiatives aim to drive change and better outcomes for employees and employers in NSW.
‍

Enhanced compliance and enforcement

In addition to the new strategy, large businesses and government agencies at high risk of psychological injuries will also be subject to compliance checks from SafeWork NSW. Improvement notices, prohibition notices, or formal warnings may be issued, and repeated non-compliance or serious breaches of WHS laws could lead to prosecution.
‍

The NSW Government's new Psychological Health and Safety Strategy highlights the  need to address psychosocial hazards in the workplace. With initiatives designed to support employers and protect workers' mental health, this strategy sets the stage for broader adoption of best practices. One such framework that organisations can leverage to enhance workplace psychological health is AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021, which provides comprehensive guidelines for managing psychosocial risks.
‍

AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021: A framework for managing psychosocial risks

AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021, Occupational Health and Safety Management — Psychological Health and Safety at Work: Guidelines for Managing Psychosocial Risk, provides a robust framework for enhancing workplace psychological health. This standard outlines a comprehensive approach to integrating psychosocial risk management into health and safety policies.
‍

Key benefits of AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021:

The standard can help organisations to:

• Enhance employee well-being and satisfaction

• Reduce workplace stress and improve engagement

• Build a resilient organisational culture

• Promote sustainable work practices and environments
  ‍

Designed for any organisation, regardless of size or sector, this standard may be particularly useful for HR professionals, health and safety officers, and senior management committed to employee welfare.
‍

Ben Russell, Engagement Manager for Standards Australia shared, "This standard is a game-changer for how organisations approach psychological health and safety. By integrating these guidelines, companies can foster a work environment that prioritises mental well-being, supporting increased productivity and employee satisfaction."
‍

The new WHS strategy, alongside the local adoption of AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021, represents a significant advancement in addressing psychological health and safety in Australian workplaces. By adopting these guidelines, organisations can help ensure a supportive and healthy work environment, to strive for better employee well-being and organisational success.
‍

AS/NZS 45003:2021 is available via the Standards Australia Store.

‍

SafeWork NSW Psychologial Health and SafetyStrategy 2024-2026 © State of New South Wales (SafeWork NSW). For current information go to safework.nsw.gov.au.

‍