The NSW Government has launched a dedicated Psychosocial Advisory Service (PAS) in response to psychosocial requests for service to SafeWork NSW more than doubling over the past five years.
Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, SafeWork NSW received 3,145 psychosocial related requests for service (RFS), accounting for 20.5% of all RFS received, compared with 10% in 2021/22.
Developed in partnership with the Black Dog Institute, the PAS will connect workers and employers directly with trained advisors who can help them understand, respond to and prevent issues such as bullying, harassment, work-related stress and mental harm in a trauma-informed way.
“The Psychosocial Advisory Service will help to keep workers safe and support businesses with the tools they need to address psychosocial risks and prevent potential harms,” said Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis.
Backed by the NSW Government’s $127.7 million investment to enhance SafeWork NSW capability and capacity which includes 20 additional specialised psychosocial inspectors, the PAS forms part of the NSW Government’s $344 million Workplace Mental Health package for strengthening mental health support and injury prevention strategies in NSW workplaces.
Black Dog Institute Chief Scientist and Executive Director, Samuel Harvey said one of the most significant developments in work health and safety is the growing recognition that psychological harms are as damaging as physical harm.
“Recognising and managing both physical and psychological risks is an essential part of creating safe, healthy and productive workplaces,” said Mr Harvey.
“The new psychosocial focused inspectors will strengthen early detection of psychological risks at places of employment and enable timely interventions to prevent harm before it occurs.”
The advisory service will act as both a support and early intervention service designed to help workers and businesses resolve issues before they escalate into serious harm or require formal regulatory action.
The launch of the PAS comes off the back of SafeWork NSW’s largest ever psychosocial compliance blitz.
Inspectors targeted medium to large businesses across all industries with higher rates and severity of psychosocial harm. They visited over 200 workplaces across a range of industries and issued over 80 improvement notices relating to psychosocial hazards and risk management.
During visits, inspectors used a structured psychosocial checklist to guide discussions with businesses and workers, assessing how psychosocial risks were identified, managed and monitored in practice.
“The new Psychosocial Advisory Service is more than just a hotline. It offers in-depth conversations and practical, structured advice for those who need it most,” said SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer.
“This service ensures workers are not left to face psychosocial issues alone or forced to wait until problems escalate beyond control.
“The data shows a clear increase in both reports of psychosocial workplace issues and requests for support, highlighting growing awareness of these risks and the need for early intervention across NSW.
“The launch of the Psychosocial Advisory Service demonstrates SafeWork NSW’s commitment to supporting employers and workers to identify, manage and prevent psychosocial risks, creating healthier and safer workplaces.
“Prevention and early intervention remain critical to meeting work health and safety obligations and SafeWork NSW encourages all employers and workers to seek advice and access the PAS before issues escalate and cause harm.”
Key features of the PAS include:
- A dedicated pathway for people reporting via the 13 10 50 hotline (press 3 for PAS) submitting online enquiries, or using the SpeakUp web-based interface, where they will receive direct support from trained staff;
- Trauma-trained advisors to support customers accessing the service;
- Improved psychosocial resources to increase capability and educate customers on how to manage psychosocial harms and risks in the workplace;
- A holistic approach to care with options to provide customers in need of mental health support with referrals to external services;
- Improved data-driven triaging to prioritise time-sensitive or severe incidents involving bullying, harassment or suicidal risk.
SafeWork NSW also worked with Lifeline Northern Beaches to provide staff with specialised training and expertise in mental health, crisis response, and psychosocial risk management.
The launch of the PAS aligns with major reforms to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 that came into effect on 1 July 2026 including codes of pratice being legally binding in NSW.
The reforms give NSW the strongest position on codes of practice in the country and mean businesses must comply with relevant codes of practice, including the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice or risk breaching the Act.
Workers who have concerns about workplace health and safety can lodge a psychosocial request for service on the SafeWork NSW website or anonymously contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website.
“The Psychosocial Advisory Service will be an important resource for workers who may be struggling, and a great tool for employers who want to create safe workplaces,” said NSW Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson.
More details on the updated codes of practice can be found on the SafeWork NSW website.
