National Mental Health & Wellbeing at Work Show
SafeWork NSW Launches Largest Ever Psychosocial Hazard Compliance Operation
SafeWork NSW is conducting its largest ever compliance operation focused on psychosocial hazards, targeting workplaces across all industries in New South Wales.
Timed with World Mental Health Day 2026, the six week operation will see inspectors visit businesses statewide to assess how well employers are managing psychosocial risks at work.
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work design, management and the working environment that can cause psychological or physical harm. Common examples include excessive workload, poor workplace relationships, lack of role clarity, bullying and harassment.
What the Compliance Operation Involves
Inspectors will check whether businesses have identified psychosocial risks and put in place appropriate controls. The operation also includes return visits to more than 200 workplaces that received improvement notices during a previous operation in May and June 2026, where over 80 notices were issued.
SafeWork NSW has added 20 dedicated psychosocial inspectors this year to meet growing demand. Psychosocial harm now accounts for 20.5% of all requests for service received by SafeWork NSW.
The industries generating the most requests for psychosocial support are Construction, Education and Training, Healthcare and Social Assistance, and Retail Trade.
New Legal Requirements for Employers
WHS Act reforms that took effect on 1 July 2026 now require businesses to follow relevant codes of practice or manage psychosocial risks to an equivalent or higher standard. This includes the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice.
SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer PSM FIPAA said inspectors will be looking for evidence that businesses are actively managing psychosocial risks, including those arising from how work is designed and managed, not just how it is carried out.
Businesses can contact the SafeWork NSW Psychosocial Advisory Service on 13 10 50 for guidance on managing psychosocial risks at work.
A psychological health and safety seminar for small business is also scheduled for 18 November 2026.
Janet Schorer PSM FIPAA will be speaking at the National Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work Show 2027, joining a lineup that includes keynote speaker Marie Boland, CEO of Safe Work Australia, alongside many others shaping Australia’s workplace mental health agenda. The free two-day event takes place 10–11 March 2027 at ICC Sydney.
Secure your place and stay across the latest announcements by following the show on LinkedIn.
Marie Boland