The long-awaited Victorian Psychological Regulations are finally within sight – the Victorian Government has revealed that it is close to finalising the regulations in a process that has taken four years.
The Victorian Government has stated that they anticipate the Regulations will come into effect by 1 December and will bring Victoria’s work-related mental health regulations into line with those in other jurisdictions around the country.
The new regulations will create specific obligations for Victorian employers to identify and control psychosocial hazards in the workplace just as they do for physical hazards, while also providing flexibility for employers to determine, in consultation with employees, what control measures will be most effective in their work environment.
Sam Jenkin, WorkSafe’s health and safety executive director, said employers would be given the right tools to create mentally healthy workplaces.
“These regulations will provide clarity for employers about what they need to do to keep their workers safe from psychosocial hazards and uphold their duties under the OHS Act,” Jenkin said.
The regulations will be complemented with a Compliance Code, designed to assist employers to meet their duties under the new changes and providing guidance and templates on how to develop and use a written prevention plan for psychosocial hazards.
Work-related mental injuries in Victoria have increased in recent years, representing 18% of all new WorkCover claims in 2023-2023. These new regulations will help employers to prevent mental injuries from occurring in the first place and create mentally healthy workplace environments.
Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll said ensuring people enjoyed a “psychologically safe” workplace was a common right. “Mental injuries can have a devastating impact on workers’ health, careers, and personal lives.
“It’s crucial that employers do everything possible to reduce the risks — just as they must control the risks of physical injury.”
Read more: Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations | WorkSafe Victoria