Psychosocial risk self-assessment

Rate the 14 common psychosocial hazards for likelihood and consequence to build a ranked risk register, with the psychosocial duties that apply in your state.

Figures checked 5 November 2026. Free to use, no sign-in.

Victoria and Western Australia have their own Acts; the tool switches to them.

Job demands

Sustained high (or very low) physical, mental or emotional effort, workload or time pressure.

Low job control

Little say over how or when the work is done.

Poor support

Not enough practical help or information from supervisors or co-workers.

Lack of role clarity

Unclear, conflicting or frequently changing duties.

Poor organisational change management

Change planned or communicated poorly, without consultation.

Inadequate reward and recognition

Effort out of balance with recognition or reward.

Poor organisational justice

Inconsistent or unfair decisions, processes or treatment.

Traumatic events or material

Witnessing, investigating or being exposed to distressing events or content.

Remote or isolated work

Working alone or far from help, or with limited communication.

Poor physical environment

Noise, heat, cramped or unsafe surroundings that add strain.

Violence and aggression

Threats, abuse or assault from anyone, including customers and clients.

Bullying

Repeated unreasonable behaviour directed at a worker or group.

Harassment, including sexual harassment

Unwelcome conduct, including sexual and gender-based harassment.

Conflict or poor workplace relationships

Ongoing conflict, poor communication or hostile interactions.

Psychosocial risk register

Highest priority

Not rated yet

Rate likelihood and consequence for each hazard that applies to your workplace.

Your duty: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)

Manage psychosocial risks under r 55A–55D of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW): eliminate them so far as is reasonably practicable, or minimise them, having regard to how long and how often people are exposed, how hazards combine, work design, systems of work, the workplace and workplace interactions (r 55D). Here the hierarchy of controls applies: higher-order controls such as redesigning the work come before procedures and training. Since 1 July 2026 you must follow the approved code of practice or manage the risk to an equivalent or higher standard (s 26A of the WHS Act).

In force since 1 October 2022 (now in the 2025 Regulation).

  • Score = likelihood × consequence (1–25): 1–4 low, 5–9 moderate, 10–14 high, 15–25 critical. This is a way to prioritise, not a legal scoring scheme.
  • Hazards you haven’t rated are left out, never assumed. Rate them with input from workers, for example through a survey or consultation with health and safety representatives.
  • Hazards interact: high demands with low control or poor support carry more risk than any one alone.

General information, not legal advice.

How this works

For each hazard that applies, rate how likely harm is (1 rare to 5 almost certain) and how serious it would be (1 minimal to 5 severe). The score is the product, and the register sorts from highest to lowest, with consequence breaking ties. Hazards you leave unrated are left out.

The duty: r 55A–55D of the WHS Regulations in each harmonised jurisdiction and WA, and the OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 in Victoria. The tool shows the version for the jurisdiction you choose, including whether the hierarchy of controls applies and NSW’s requirement since 1 July 2026 to follow approved codes of practice or an equivalent standard.

Not included: a worker survey. A self-assessment by managers misses what workers see, so use the result to start consultation, not replace it.

Legal basis

Checked against these sources on 5 November 2026. Spotted a figure that looks wrong? Tell us.

Questions

Is managing psychosocial risk a legal requirement?

Yes, in every state and territory. The harmonised jurisdictions and Western Australia have specific psychosocial regulations (r 55A–55D), in force since between October 2022 and December 2023, and Victoria’s Psychological Health Regulations started on 1 December 2025. The general duty of care has always covered psychological health.

Do I have to follow the hierarchy of controls for psychosocial risks?

In NSW, Queensland, South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory and the Comcare scheme, yes: their regulations apply the hierarchy. Western Australia and Tasmania follow the model wording, which excludes it, though higher-order controls are still expected. Victoria’s regulations set their own order, with training never the main control.

What are the common psychosocial hazards?

Safe Work Australia’s model Code lists 14: job demands, low job control, poor support, lack of role clarity, poor change management, inadequate reward and recognition, poor organisational justice, traumatic events or material, remote or isolated work, poor physical environment, violence and aggression, bullying, harassment including sexual harassment, and conflict or poor workplace relationships.

Does Victoria require a written prevention plan?

No. The Psychological Health Regulations require employers to identify hazards, control risks in the set order and review controls. WorkSafe Victoria offers a prevention plan template, but using it is optional.

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