Victorian Psychological Health and Safety Regulations: What Employers Need to Know in 2026

Victorian employers are now facing new legal obligations under groundbreaking workplace safety legislation that recognises mental health as equally important as physical safety.

New Regulations Take Effect Across Victoria

The Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 came into force on December 1st, 2025, marking a significant shift in how Victorian businesses approach workplace mental health and safety. These mandatory regulations require all employers in Victoria to identify and control psychosocial hazards with the same rigour previously reserved for physical workplace risks.

What Are Psychosocial Hazards?

Under the new psychological health and safety regulations, employers must actively manage and mitigate several key psychosocial hazards in the workplace:

• Bullying and harassment – including persistent negative behaviour that creates a hostile work environment
• Sexual harassment – unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates discomfort or offence
• Workplace aggression and violence – both physical and verbal threatening behaviour
• Exposure to traumatic events or content – situations that may cause psychological harm to employees

Why Psychological Health and Safety Matters

The workplace mental health crisis has reached critical levels, with concerning statistics highlighting the urgent need for these regulations:

Only 40% of workers with mental injuries successfully return to work within six months, compared to 75% of workers recovering from physical injuries, according to WorkSafe Victoria[1]. This significant gap demonstrates the lasting impact of psychological workplace injuries and the importance of prevention.

The new regulations aim to close this gap by creating genuinely safe workplaces that protect employees’ mental health and wellbeing, not just their physical safety.

Victoria Aligns with National Standards

These regulations bring Victoria in line with other Australian states and territories that have already implemented similar psychological health and safety frameworks. This national alignment creates consistency for multi-state employers while ensuring all Australian workers receive the same level of psychological protection at work.

Legal Obligations for Victorian Employers

Employers now have clear legal obligations to:

1. Identify psychosocial hazards in their workplace through regular risk assessments
2. Implement control measures to eliminate or minimise these hazards
3. Monitor and review the effectiveness of controls regularly
4. Provide training to managers and employees on recognising and managing psychosocial risks
5. Document compliance with psychological health and safety requirements

Failure to meet these obligations may result in significant penalties and legal consequences.

Preparing Your Workplace for Compliance

The time to act is now. Employers who haven’t already begun addressing psychosocial hazards should prioritise compliance with these new regulations immediately.

How IntoWork Australia Can Help

iTFE WHS Academy offers comprehensive workplace health and safety training courses specifically designed to help businesses and employers understand psychosocial hazards and meet compliance obligations under the new Victorian regulations.

Our WHS Academy provides:

• Expert-led workshops covering all aspects of the new regulations
• Practical training for both employers and employees
• Group booking options for teams and organisations
• 2026 workshop schedule now available

Get Started with Psychological Health and Safety Training

Don’t wait until a workplace incident occurs. Protect your people, ensure compliance, and create a psychologically safe workplace culture today.

Contact iTFE to express your interest in upcoming workshops for 2026. Group bookings are available for organisations of all sizes.

Visit our WHS Academy to learn more about our comprehensive training solutions and book your team’s training for 2026