NSW does not currently have a Psychological Health Code of Practice. If adopted, the Code of Practice will provide detailed information on how to manage risks to psychological health in the workplace.

The size of the problem

No one ever wants to see workers harmed just because they did their job. However, less than 9% of NSW workplaces report they have a systematic approach to managing psychological health issues.

It's causing a real problem in workplaces right across NSW. Psychological claims in between 2014/15 to 2018/19 increased, and workers take longer to get back to work. Over 26,600 workers needed time off work from 2014/15 to 2018/19. Psychological injuries can include, for example, depression, stress, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.


Psychological injury claims

There was a 53% increase in claims for psychological injury (NSW psychological injury claims data (pdf, 88.8KB) between 2014/15 and 2018/19. This compares to only a 3.5% increase in the same period for physical injuries.

Claims for psychological
injury between 2014/15
and 2018/19
Claims for physical
injury between
2014/15 and 2018/19
Total days lost to
psychological injuries
in 2018/19
Cost of psychological
claims in 2018/19


Average length of claims

For psychological claims It's much less for physical
injury claims


Cost of claims

For psychological injury claims It's much less for physical
injury claims


Code of Practice

Business and other stakeholders asked for greater clarity to ensure psychologically healthy and safe workplaces, so we drafted a Code of Practice.

The draft Code of Practice is a practical guide for employers, workers and others on how to ensure psychologically healthy and safe workplaces.

It is for all NSW workplaces and industries and doesn’t increase the existing duties under work health and safety (WHS) laws.

We have also created an explanatory paper to help you provide feedback.


Tell us what you think

We want your views on the draft Code of Practice about:

  • how clearly it explains the legal duties under WHS laws?
  • is there enough information?
  • is the information useful and practical?

We’ll ask for some information about you to help us analyse the responses.

To have your say, complete as many of these activities you’d like.

Public Submissions

Survey/Public Submissions

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Quick polls

Quick poll

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Discussion forums

Do you think the code of practice will give people a better understanding of how to manage risks to work related psychological health? Why?

Thanks for taking the time to join a more detailed conversation about the Draft Code of Practice on managing the risks to psychological health. The discussion forum invites you to have your say on topics important to the code of practice. Your response will be considered as part of general feedback. If you would like to provide detailed responses, please complete the survey. There are two ways to participate in this forum: Leave a quick comment by providing an email address and screen name each time you want to comment, or "https://customerservicensw.engagementhq.com/register" Register to our site and create an account so don't need to write out your details every time you want to comment.

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