Tasmania Refreshes Psychosocial Codes and Consultation Rules

Tasmania’s regulator now expects psychosocial risk management to sit in documented risk registers with real consultation records, not just policies on a shelf.

The Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice took effect in Tasmania on 4 Jan 23 following national model WHS amendments and is now the practical foundation for how you must identify, assess and control psychosocial risks such as bullying, excessive workload, violence and poor work design. It sits under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 and makes the duty to manage psychosocial hazards part of normal WHS risk management and documentation.

The Code directs PCBUs to follow a standard risk management process with recorded hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures and includes example risk register entries you can adapt for your own documented system. Courts and inspectors may refer to this Code when issuing notices. Workers must be consulted at each stage of the risk process, not just informed after the fact.

Tasmania’s Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice (updated 8 Jul 25) reinforces how and when to talk to workers and other duty holders about all WHS risks, including psychological ones. It explains when consultation must happen and what effective two‑way consultation looks like, and it provides practical checklists you can use in minutes or HSR records.

Inspectors are increasingly looking for evidence that psychosocial risk management is live in your safety system. They will expect to see: a dated psychosocial risk register, documented control reviews, worker consultation minutes, HSR engagement records, training evidence and injury management/return‑to‑work documentation linked back to psychosocial risk outcomes. This expectation grows out of the shift that treats psychosocial risk like any other WHS hazard.

Recent annual reporting from the WorkCover Board Tasmania shows the Board’s focus on risk management frameworks and oversight under Tasmanian WHS laws, noting the central role of WorkSafe Tasmania in delivering compliance and advisory programs that include psychosocial health guidance. These broader governance themes support the regulator’s enforcement focus.

Key operational takeaways

• Integrate psychosocial hazard risk registers into your standard WHS risk register.

• Keep dated consultation records and HSR minutes demonstrating genuine worker engagement.

• Maintain formal control reviews and training evidence that tie back to psychosocial control effectiveness.

• Include psychosocial outcomes in injury management and return‑to‑work files.

• Use the Consultation Code checklists to show proactive cooperation with workers and other duty holders.