What is a psychosocial hazard at work?

Under model WHS Regulations adopted by most Australian states from 2023-2024, psychosocial hazards are workplace conditions that can cause psychological harm. There are 13 standard categories: high/low job demands, low job control, poor support, poor relationships, poor procedural justice, role conflict/ambiguity, poor change management, inadequate reward and recognition, traumatic events, remote/isolated work, violence/aggression, bullying, and harassment.

Which Australian states have psychosocial hazard regulations?

All Australian states and territories have either adopted the model WHS Regulations or have equivalent provisions. NSW (April 2022), VIC (proposed 2024-25 reforms), QLD (April 2023), WA (March 2022), SA (December 2023), TAS, ACT, NT, and Comcare (federal) all have psychosocial hazard duties on employers.

What's the difference between a psychosocial hazard complaint and workers comp?

A psychosocial hazard COMPLAINT to SafeWork (the WHS regulator) is about the employer's failure to control the hazard — they can be inspected, prosecuted, fined, and required to fix the workplace conditions. A workers comp CLAIM (separate process) is about you being personally compensated for an injury caused by those hazards. You can do both.

Psychosocial Hazard Checker — 13 Categories

Tick the workplace hazards you're experiencing. The tool maps them to the official 13 psychosocial hazard categories under WHS regulations and shows you the regulator complaint pathway + companion legal options.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

Employers have a legal duty to identify and control psychosocial hazards under model WHS Regulations. Failure can attract regulator prosecution, fines, and worker compensation liability.

Tick the hazards present in your workplace

These are the 13 psychosocial hazard categories under model WHS Regulations adopted across most Australian states. Tick all that apply — even unsure ones; the tool helps you understand what each category means.

Your state / territory

Considering a workers comp claim?

See the full step-by-step guide: Psychosocial Hazard Workers Comp Claim — Step-by-Step. Covers evidence to gather, lodgement by state, what compensation you can receive, and common reasons claims get rejected.

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Psychosocial Hazard Checker — 13 Categories

Tick the hazards present in your workplace

The letter is free. The process is the risk.

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