A multi-study evaluation from the University of South Australia’s Psychosocial Safety Climate Global Observatory has found that Australian jurisdictions that have already adopted amended safety regulations to manage psychosocial risks are already seeing clear improvements in their workplaces’ psychosocial safety climate.
Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) is a key indicator of an organisation’s safety climate. It is a term that refers to the shared belief held by employees that their psychological health and safety are protected and supported by senior management.
The study seeks to investigate whether pro-worker psychological health law change within Australia can lead to improved working conditions and, ultimately, future improved psychological health outcomes for workers.
Study 1 used expert reports (2021-2024) from 19 countries to assess the international policy landscape and identify whether there was a change in Australian policy and law as judged by experts.
Results showed that amendments to WHS laws have lifted Australia from 7th in 2021 to 3rd in 2024 in the world rankings of national work-related psychological health law development.
Study 2 used national data sets to investigate whether individuals in jurisdictions with WHS psychosocial law changes perceive improved PSC and reduced psychological distress compared to individuals in locations with no legislative change.
During the period of the data collection Victoria was the only jurisdiction that had not implemented WHS psychosocial legislative changes.
The results of study 2 show that in all states and territories there was an incremental increase in PSC, but in Victoria the perceived PSC dropped.
Study 3 aimed to understand the effect of law change on PSC and workers’ psychological health within a specific sector – tertiary education. Academics and professional university workers are exposed to high levels of psychosocial risks.
This study involved surveying employees in the university sector across states and territories from 2022 to 2024. During that period PSC levels in Victoria decreased significantly while those in other jurisdictions remained relatively stable.
Victoria is the last remaining Australian jurisdiction to amend WHS psychosocial law, with the state government committing to introduce new regulations strengthening how psychosocial hazards are managed by the end of 2025. It is anticipated that the regulations will take effect in December, and that guidance in the form of a Compliance Code will accompany the change.
Read more: Australia's psychosocial safety laws leading the way internationally, but one state lagging