New work health and safety regulations to address workplace psychosocial hazards will become effective on 1 July 2023 in the Northern Territory.

Under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011, businesses have a duty to implement reasonable measures to manage psychosocial risks. The new regulations will clarify this existing duty without imposing new requirements.

This follows similar changes being implemented in other jurisdictions, including in New South Wales and Queensland.

A new code of practice is also being developed to provide practical guidance on managing the risks of psychosocial hazards to create and maintain mentally healthy workplaces.

NT WorkSafe Executive Director Peggy Cheong said, “psychosocial hazards usually arise from job design or management issues, poor working environments, and unhealthy behaviours at work such as bullying and harassment. If left unmanaged, they may cause psychological or even physical harm.

“These hazards are unfortunately becoming prevalent in Australian workplaces, with the number of psychological injuries increasing over the years,” Ms Cheong added.

“The trend is the same for the Territory, so having the new regulations and code of practice is timely and crucial to ensure employers are well equipped to deal with these hazards effectively.”