Changes to WHS laws | Comcare

Changes to WHS laws

New WHS laws came into effect in the Commonwealth jurisdiction on 1 April 2023.


New Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws

The amended Work Health and Safety Regulations prescribe how duty holders must identify and manage hazards and risks to workers’ psychological health and safety.

Organisations need to consider and review approaches to managing psychosocial risks and fostering mentally healthy workplaces. This includes engaging and consulting with workers.

Comcare has guidance on psychosocial hazards, and a range of education products for psychological health and safety, available through our Learning Management System. New education products including webinars continue to be developed.

We have established a dedicated unit within our WHS inspectorate to focus on regulation of psychosocial hazards and associated risks.

Common questions and answers

Download the Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work

View the amended regulations

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Psychosocial hazards

Common psychosocial hazards in the workplace have been identified.

Why this is important

It is important you understand the changes to the WHS laws so you can update your risk assessments and control frameworks and ensure that your organisation complies with the updated legislation. Mentally safe, healthy and productive workplaces benefit both employers and employees, and psychosocial hazards in the workplace are real.

  • 1 in 3
    people have experienced sexual harassment at work
  • 33%
    of mental stress claims in 2020-21 related to bullying and harassment
  • 18%
    increase over the last 3 years from 2018-19 in Comcare claims related to work demands
  • 1 in 5
    Australian workers are experiencing a mental health condition

Regulatory guides

Comcare produces a range of regulatory guides to help you fulfil your duties and comply with your obligations.

From guidance on the legislative framework to your health and safety duties, we can help you understand the requirements of the new WHS laws.

See our regulatory guides

Webinar and video resources

  • Video

    WHS regulations: Psychosocial hazards

    Play now
  • Webinar recording

    Approaches for a thriving workplace

    Play now
  • Webinar recording

    Psychosocial hazards and regulation

    Play now

More information

From Comcare

From Safe Work Australia

Page last reviewed: 03 April 2023

Comcare
GPO Box 9905, Canberra, ACT 2601
1300 366 979 | www.comcare.gov.au

Date printed 11 Jun 2023

https://www.comcare.gov.au/safe-healthy-work/prevent-harm/changes-to-whs-laws