The Allan Labor Government is helping hundreds of Victorian businesses with tailored support to reduce the risk of mental injuries in their workplaces and improve the mental wellbeing of workers.
Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll today announced a new free and confidential service is now available to eligible small and medium sized businesses across Victoria.
The Mentally Healthy Workplaces service aims to upskill business operators to help them better identify and manage psychosocial hazards.
Employers using the service will be supported by trained and skilled consultants to improve how they identify and manage mental health risks and in their workplaces through regular checks and planning.
Eligible workplaces will also be able to access tools, resources, guidance material and ongoing consultation tailored to their individual needs.
Consulting firm AP Psychology has been selected to deliver the initiative in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry following a public tender process.
The new service will target industries such as healthcare and social assistance, education and training, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and construction - which have been identified as high-risk for workplace mental injury.
Workers from those six industries made up 53 per cent of the more than 2,300 mental injury claims accepted by WorkSafe in the 2024-25 financial year.
This builds on the Labor Government's announcement that new regulations requiring employers to identify and manage psychosocial hazards in their workplaces will come into effect on 1 December 2025.
Victorian based businesses with less than 200 employees can check their eligibility and register their interest for the program online. For more information visit victorianchamber.com.au
As stated by Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll
"Helping Victorian employers identify and manage psychosocial risks is a critical step in reducing workplace mental injuries."
"We will continue to make extensive investments to support mental health in Victorian workplaces - to protect, improve and support the wellbeing of employees."
As stated by Minister for Small Business and Employment Natalie Suleyman
"This free service will be a major boost for small and family businesses across Victoria, supporting employers and protecting workers mental health."
As stated by Return to Work Victoria Executive Director Jason Lardelli
"We know that psychosocial risk assessments and action planning are critical tools for preventing harm and improving return to work outcomes for injured workers."
"This program is among several innovative pilots WorkSafe is funding to address the growing challenge of workplace mental injury and reduce the significant burden it has on the wider community."
