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.
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| 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
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| For psychological claims | It's much less for physical injury claims |
Cost of claims
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| 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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