In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, staying informed isn’t just beneficial; it is essential. At ABILITY GROUP, we believe that understanding industry trends is the foundation for building resilient, forward-thinking organisations. Our latest insights reveal the key challenges and opportunities reshaping workplaces in 2025 and beyond.
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In 2025, psychological safety is no longer a secondary concern, having become a core workplace obligation. With updated WHS legislation now requiring Australian employers to manage psychosocial hazards with the same rigour as physical risks, psychosocial risk assessments have become essential. At ABILITY GROUP, we help organisations move beyond compliance to build workplaces that are safe, supportive, and strategically resilient.
A psychosocial risk assessment is a structured process for identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace factors that could harm mental health or wellbeing. These include:
Under SafeWork Australia’s model Code of Practice, these risks must be assessed and managed using the same four-step WHS framework applied to physical hazards.
Recent reforms in NSW and Victoria have elevated psychosocial risk management to a legal requirement. Employers must now:
Failure to do so can result in regulatory action, increased workers’ compensation claims, and also (business/organisational) reputational damage.
In Victoria, new regulations commencing in December 2025 will require formal prevention plans and updated compliance codes for psychological health.
We support businesses with a tailored, evidence-based process and national WHS standards:
Review job design, leadership, culture, and environmental factors to uncover hidden psychosocial risks
Evaluate the likelihood and impact of each hazard, helping you focus on what matters most
Develop practical, scalable interventions, from workload redesign to peer support programs
Update your WHS policies, risk registers, and reporting tools to reflect 2025 compliance standards
Equip managers and teams with the skills to recognise, report, and respond to psychosocial risks—building a culture of care and accountability
Psychosocial risk assessments are no longer optional; they are a legal obligation and strategic necessity. As psychological injury claims rise and WHS reforms take hold, businesses should act now to protect their people and business.
ABILITY GROUP can help you:
Contact our team to discuss.
Source: safework Australia
Title: Identifying, assessing, controlling and reviewing
Read Time: 5+ minutes
R U OK? Day is a National Day of Action dedicated to reminding Australians to check in with those around them and spark meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing. This year, it is held on Thursday 11th of September, and it serves as a powerful reminder that a simple question can make a life-changing difference.
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In today’s fast-paced work environments, preventing injuries isn’t just a safety obligation, it can be a strategic or competitive advantage. At ABILITY GROUP, we believe proactive injury prevention and early intervention are key to building resilient teams, reducing downtime, costs and supporting long-term wellbeing. Understanding how to identify risks early and respond effectively can transform workplace culture.
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Australia’s healthcare and social assistance industry just received a major boost in work health and safety (WHS) guidance. Safe Work Australia has released a new Model Code of Practice specifically tailored to this sector, which is now Australia’s largest and fastest-growing workforce. For employers, partners, and professionals across hospitals, aged care, disability support, and home-based services, this code offers practical, industry-specific advice to help meet WHS obligations and reduce risk, strengthening safety in healthcare.
The Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice, released on 4 July 2025, provides guidance for Healthcare and social assistance industry duty holders, such as employers in the healthcare and social assistance industry, on how to meet their work health and safety (WHS) duties and manage risks in their workplaces
Healthcare and social assistance workers experience more work-related injuries than any other industry in Australia, with compensation claim rates more than double the national average. Until now, there’s been a lack of consolidated WHS guidance tailored to the unique challenges of this sector. This new Code fills that gap.
The Code is designed for Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs)—including employers, managers, and service providers. It also provides valuable insights for workers, officers, designers, suppliers, and others with WHS responsibilities.
The Code outlines how to identify, assess, and control risks across a wide range of hazards, including:
The new Code also includes guidance on consultation, coordination, and emergency controls, helping organisations build a proactive safety culture.
ABILITY GROUP has a proud history of assisting Healthcare and Social Assistance providers achieve better than industry results, helping minimise workers compensation and related costs essential for improving the quality of care and support. Leveraging this, we recommend organisations:
Safe Work Australia plans to release an interactive online tool in 2026, featuring case studies and tailored content to further support implementation. In the meantime, this Code offers a strong foundation for improving safety outcomes across the sector.
Source: safe work australia
Title: Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and social assistance industry
Read Time: 5-10 minutes
The Minns Government has announced significant NSW work health and safety (WHS) changes and investments aimed at enhancing workplace safety and compliance. These changes are emphasised by SafeWork NSW becoming an Independent Regulator, 51 new WHS inspectors (focus on NSW business compliance) and the launch of an Irreplaceable Safety campaign.
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