SafeWork NSW deploys more mental health inspectors
16 Mar 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Additional mental health-focused inspectors are now working across NSW as the state government adds 20 psychosocial inspectors to SafeWork NSW. They form part of a wider expansion of 51 inspectors, the agency’s largest-ever increase.
The expansion increases the number of active inspectors by more than 12 per cent. It is supported by the NSW Government’s $127.7 million investment in SafeWork NSW over four years and also forms part of its $344 million Workplace Mental Health package.
The new inspectors have experience in psychology, workers compensation, anti-bullying, youth mentoring and trauma-informed approaches. Their work will focus on preventing and addressing psychosocial risks in workplaces across the state. SafeWork NSW already conducts hundreds of proactive psychosocial safety visits each year.
The NSW Government is also establishing a Psychosocial Advisory Service to give workers and business owners tailored advice on managing psychosocial safety. NSW was the first state to introduce a psychosocial-specific code of practice covering all psychosocial hazards and workplaces, with a focus on work design to prevent hazards.
Managing psychosocial risks, including sexual harassment, is a SafeWork NSW regulatory priority. Other common hazards identified in the release include excessive workloads, exposure to traumatic events, bullying and harassment.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the inspectors would support both workers and businesses in understanding their obligations and creating safer workplaces. “This is about prevention. When psychosocial hazards are addressed early, we see fewer injuries, fewer disputes, and better outcomes for workers and employers.”
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said recognising and managing physical and psychological risks was essential to safe, healthy and productive workplaces. “The new psychosocial focused inspectors will strengthen early detection of psychological risks at places of employment and enable timely interventions to prevent harm before it occurs.”
Workers with workplace health and safety concerns can contact SafeWork NSW anonymously on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas for closer attention, including psychosocial hazards. Take the free WHS self-check