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This article was published in the November 2025 edition of Vetboard Victoria's newsletter. Content was current at the time of publication but there may have been changes since then, as rules, standards and professional and community expectations change over time. Readers are also referred to our Guidelines for appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities.

Health and safety rules re psychological health

The Board acknowledges that veterinary practitioners face both physical and psychological challenges every day, and a safe workplace is an essential foundation for the effective delivery of veterinary services and sustainability of the veterinary profession.

We welcome new psychosocial hazard rules for Victorian workplaces under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (the OHS Act) effective from 1 December 2025.

The OHS Act requires employers to provide and maintain a working environment for their employees, including contractors, that is safe and without risks to health, so far as reasonably practicable.

The new rules put mental health on an equal footing with physical safety in the workplace – requiring employers to proactively identify, assess and control psychosocial hazards. WorkSafe Victoria has developed a compliance code which provides practical guidance in relation to managing psychological health and psychosocial hazards.

The new rules and resources: Psychological health (WorkSafe Victoria) includes links to the OHS Act and the Regulations plus compliance resources for employers and general information for employees.

Relevant guidelines