From 1st December 2025, new Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation will come into effect in Victoria, recognising the critical importance of managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace. This means employers in Victoria will be legally required to manage risks to workers’ mental health just as seriously as physical hazards.

What exactly does this mean for your workplace? And how can you get ahead of these important changes?

What is Psychological Safety?

Psychological safety is a workplace culture where employees feel secure enough to speak up, ask questions, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment, ridicule, or exclusion. It creates an environment of respect, openness, and inclusion, supporting mental wellbeing for everyone.

When psychological safety is present, employees thrive. Teams are more innovative, collaboration improves, job satisfaction rises, and crucially, mental health outcomes get better. A psychologically safe workplace leads to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Conversely, workplaces lacking psychological safety often face high staff turnover, increased sick leave, burnout, and a reluctance among employees to voice concerns or report issues. This makes psychological safety not just a “nice-to-have” — it’s a vital component of workplace health and safety.

What’s Changing in WHS Legislation in Victoria?

Starting December 1st, 2025, managing psychosocial risks will be a legal duty under updated WHS laws in Victoria. These risks include:

• High job demands and excessive workload
• Bullying, harassment, or workplace conflict
• Low control over work tasks or schedules
• Poor support from supervisors and colleagues
• Exposure to traumatic events or content

Employers in Victoria will be required to identify, assess, and implement effective controls for these hazards — creating mentally healthy, psychologically safe workplaces.

Why Mental Health First Aid Matters

While complying with WHS legislation involves many strategies, Mental Health First Aid training stands out as a practical and impactful approach to help workplaces adapt to these new requirements.

Mental Health First Aid equips staff with the skills to:

• Recognise early signs of mental health challenges in colleagues
• Provide initial, supportive responses
• Encourage professional help-seeking
• Reduce stigma and foster open conversations about mental health

The Benefits of Mental Health First Aid for Your Workplace

1. Builds Practical Skills for Early Intervention
   Mental Health First Aid training empowers employees to identify mental health concerns early before they escalate, reducing the risk of long-term issues. This early support can prevent crises and improve recovery outcomes.
2. Supports Psychological Safety and Inclusion
   By promoting understanding and empathy, Mental Health First Aid helps create a culture where people feel safe to share their struggles without fear. This openness strengthens team bonds and encourages inclusivity.
3. Reduces Stigma Around Mental Health
   Mental Health First Aid breaks down harmful stereotypes and myths about mental illness, encouraging more honest conversations that improve workplace wellbeing and morale.
4. Helps Meet WHS Obligations
   While Mental Health First Aid alone does not meet all legislative requirements, it is an important part of your duty of care and risk management strategy under the new WHS laws in Victoria.
5. Encourages Peer Support in High-Stress Industries
   For workplaces exposed to trauma or high stress, such as healthcare or emergency services, Mental Health First Aid fosters peer support networks that help workers cope and recover.

Who Can Benefit From Mental Health First Aid?

No matter your industry — whether you’re in education, healthcare, construction, or corporate sectors — embedding Mental Health First Aid training into your workplace strategy sends a clear message: you care about your team’s mental health, not just compliance.

Getting Ready for December 2025 in Victoria

If you haven’t yet prepared for the new WHS legislation, now is the perfect time to start. At Remedy First Aid Training, we offer accredited Mental Health First Aid courses delivered flexibly online or in-person, tailored to your team’s needs.

Our courses are practical, engaging, and will empower your workforce with the confidence and skills to support each other’s mental health. Because creating a mentally healthy workplace is a team effort — not just a box-ticking exercise.

Need help meeting your new WHS obligations in Victoria?
Get in touch today to discuss how Remedy First Aid Training can support your workplace in building psychological safety and complying with WHS legislation.

📞 03 9111 0283
📧 info@remedyfirstaidtraining.com.au
🌐 www.remedyfirstaidtraining.com.au