New Commonwealth Code of Practice now in effect

New Commonwealth Code of Practice now in effect

Australia's Government has officially approved a new code of practice designed to aid enforcement of modified Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, specifying how organisations should handle risks related to mental well-being of their workforce.

The Commonwealth Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of Practice 2024 offers practical advice for adhering to amendments in the Work Health and Safety Regulations that were implemented on 1 April 2023.

What Comcare Says About the Amended Regulations

"The amended Regulations prescribe how Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking should identify and manage psychosocial hazards that may create risks to workers' psychological and physical health and safety," Comcare said in a statement.

This code of practice, which has received approval from the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, provides guidance on workplace health and safety (WHS) responsibilities, including:

• Identification of psychosocial hazards
• Management and control of workplace risks
• Addressing prevalent psychosocial hazards across various work environments

Organisations aiming to ensure compliance with commonwealth jurisdiction requirements should review their existing risk management frameworks against this updated code. Businesses operating under WHS codes may find it useful to compare these obligations with related guidance, such as the new WHS Code of Practice addressing sexual harassment in Commonwealth workplaces, which also focuses on psychological safety obligations.

Similar reforms have emerged at state level, including the workplace mental health code of practice now in effect in Queensland, reflecting a broader national shift toward stronger psychosocial risk control measures.

Discover additional information here.