Church Guidelines
Mental Health: Psychosocial Hazards
What is this document?
This document is an employer guide and practical toolkit explaining Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025.
It breaks down the legal duties employers have regarding workplace mental health and provides a ready-to-use Prevention Plan Template to help manage psychological risks.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
-
The Legal Duty: Victorian employers are explicitly required by law to identify and eliminate or minimise psychosocial hazards (e.g., bullying, extreme job demands, sexual harassment, poor support, or exposure to trauma).
-
Systemic Fixes First: You cannot rely solely on staff training or resilience workshops. Employers must fix work design, management structures, and work environments before resorting to training.
-
Employee Consultation: You must consult with employees and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) when identifying risks and creating prevention plans.
What’s Inside?
-
A Breakdown of Psychosocial Hazards: Plain-English definitions and an extensive checklist of real-world risks.
-
Implementation Guidance: Practical examples showing how to apply the rules in both small businesses and larger organisations.
-
Prevention Plan Template: A step-by-step risk management template (Identify $\rightarrow$ Assess $\rightarrow$ Control $\rightarrow$ Review) that you can fill out and adapt for your workplace.