Psychosocial Hazards at Work
Practical guidance for Australian businesses on managing psychosocial risks—before they become complaints, injuries, or regulatory action.
Work
Industry-Specific Guidance
"I've watched businesses struggle with psychosocial risks for years—not because they don't care, but because the guidance out there is confusing and disconnected from reality. I built this resource to change that."
Christian Ratten
Workplace Psychologist
Before becoming a Workplace Psychologist, I spent over a decade working in mining and construction. I've seen firsthand the unique pressures these industries place on workers, and how often psychological safety takes a backseat to physical safety.
As WHS regulations evolved to include psychosocial hazards, I noticed many businesses wanted to do the right thing but didn't know where to start. The legislation is complex, the resources are scattered, and practical guidance is hard to find.
That's why I created What Hazards, a free, comprehensive resource that bridges the gap between complex WHS legislation and practical, real-world application. My goal is to give you guidance that's credible, accessible, and grounded in direct industry experience.
"My focus is making sense of challenging WHS regulations through a practical lens—providing direction that's clear, grounded in behavioural science, and built on genuine field experience."
Under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, organisations have a primary responsibility to protect workers from both physical and psychological harm.
Businesses are expected to identify and manage psychosocial risks in the same way they manage any other workplace hazard. Where risks are not addressed, organisations may face regulatory action, legal consequences, and damage to trust and reputation. Meeting these obligations requires both proactive prevention and appropriate action when issues arise.
Between 2015 and 2024, mental health–related workers' compensation claims increased by 165%, reflecting a substantial and sustained rise over the past decade.
Psychosocial injury claims cost significantly more, with the median compensation being $58,615, compared to $15,743 for all other injuries.
27.5% of psychosocial claims were due to workplace harassment and bullying and 25.2% were related to work pressure.
Are You Meeting Your Legal Duties?
Most businesses have significant gaps in their approach to psychosocial hazards—and don't realise it until a complaint triggers an investigation. Find out where you stand before a regulator does.
- Identify compliance gaps before a regulator does
- Understand your current risk level
- Get tailored priority actions
- Access relevant resources for your situation
No signup required • Results in 2 minutes
Your Compliance Score
The 14 Psychosocial Hazards
Australian WHS regulators have identified 14 specific psychosocial hazards that organisations must identify and manage.
Learn how to identify each hazard, spot early warning signs, and implement effective controls to protect your team.
Explore All 14 HazardsWho Has Duties Under WHS Law?
Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, multiple parties have duties to manage psychosocial hazards.
Key principle: Everyone has a role in managing psychosocial hazards in workplace.
The Four-Step Risk Management Process
Managing psychosocial risks follows the same process you use for any other workplace health and safety risk.
Identify
Find psychosocial hazards
Assess
Evaluate the risks
Control
Implement controls
Review
Monitor and improve
What happens when a complaint is made?
This is the question most business owners, directors, and HR leaders want answered, but don't often ask out loud.
We've created detailed guidance on:
- How psychosocial complaints typically arise
- What triggers regulator attention
- What happens during an inspector visit
- What inspectors usually ask for
- What makes things worse (and what makes them better)
For Decision-Makers
Whether you're a business owner, HR leader, safety manager, or director—this resource will give you clarity on what's required, what regulators expect, and what actually works.
Understanding the process removes the fear. And it helps you prepare properly.
What happens when a complaint is madeNot sure if you need help?
Most businesses can make significant progress using the free resources on this site. But sometimes, engaging with an organisation who understands your industry can save considerable time, stress, and cost down the track.
You might benefit from support if:
- A complaint has been made or is likely
- You're unsure whether your current approach would stand up to scrutiny
- You're planning major changes (restructure, new site, FIFO operations)
- You've had an incident and need to respond quickly
- You need someone to facilitate difficult conversations or investigations
Everything on this site is:
- Grounded in Safe Work Australia's official Code of Practice
- Written in plain English for decision-makers
- Focused on practical implementation, not theory
- Free and non-paywalled
- Created by Behavion, a team of Workplace Psychologists with direct experience in construction and mining operations