Narrator: Psychological safety is essential to a thriving workplace where all staff feel accepted, respected, and valued for their contributions.

It can significantly improve their experience of work, support their mental health and wellbeing, as well as increasing engagement and performance.

In practise, this means fostering a work environment where people feel safe to share their thoughts and concerns, actively supporting mental health and addressing potential harm caused by psychosocial hazards.

But what exactly is a psychosocial hazard?

Psychosocial hazards are aspects of the job and workplace with the potential to cause psychological harm.

Common work-related psychosocial hazards include work-related violence and aggression, sexual harassment, workplace bullying, poor support, poor organisational change management, high and low job demands, poor workplace relationships, exposure to traumatic events.

This can lead to negative outcomes such as staff burnout or mental injury when not properly addressed.

From 1 December, 2025, new psychological health regulations came into effect in Victoria.

They set clear expectations for the department and its staff for creating mentally-safe workplaces by identifying and managing psychosocial hazards.

The regulations clarify the responsibilities of employers to prevent psychological harm at work.

Everyone has a role to play in creating and maintaining a psychologically safe workplace.

Managing psychosocial hazards is not new to the department, it is already part of our shared effort to make work safer and more supportive.

And chances are you're already doing more than you realise, such as engaging in open and honest discussions with your manager or principal about issues and your observations in the workplace, including:

• opportunities for enhancements and improvements
• sharing knowledge about managing and reporting incidents and hazards via eduSafe Plus, and the related policies and procedures
• engaging in actions that contribute to the overall wellbeing and health of the workplace
• familiarising yourself with the available supports such as the Employee Wellbeing Support Services.

Looking for more information?

School staff can visit the Psychological Health and Safety for School Staff policy in the Policy and Advisory Library.

And for corporate staff, see the Psychological Hazard Support on the intranet.

Psychological safety is built on respect and trust, where everyone feels safe, included, and supported to do their best work.

Building these foundations nurtures a positive culture where staff, students, and communities can thrive and reach their full potential.

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