nsw-psychosocial-advisor

NSW Psychosocial Hazard Advisor

Purpose

This action skill provides expert, evidence-based guidance for managing psychosocial hazards and risks in New South Wales workplaces. It is your front-line consulting tool for any psychosocial concern — whether you are building a risk management framework from scratch, gap-analysing your current controls, responding to incidents, or navigating a complex workplace culture issue.

The skill works by:

1. Detecting your query type — Is this about hazard identification? Control design? Incident response? A specific industry? Or a comparison across jurisdictions?
2. Loading verified sections from the co-located reference skill (nsw-psychosocial-checker), which extracts the NSW WHS Regulation 2025 Division 11 and the NSW Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work (May 2021)
3. Providing precise legislative citations and practical guidance
4. Cross-referencing Model and QLD provisions where relevant (if you need national baseline or comparison)
5. Highlighting NSW-specific characteristics — notably, that NSW Division 11 is identical to the Model (no SGBH-specific provisions like QLD's rr 55E–55H), and that the NSW CoP (May 2021) predates the Model CoP (July 2022)

Jurisdiction Context

Legislation:

• WHS Act 2011 (NSW) — defines PCBUs, officers, workers, duties, penalties, and incident notification
• WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) — Division 11 (rr 55A–55D): psychosocial hazard and risk definitions, duty to manage, 9 matters for control design
• NSW Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work (May 2021) — practical guidance on implementing Division 11 duties

Regulator:

• SafeWork NSW (contact: 13 10 50 / contact@safework.nsw.gov.au)

Key Characteristics:

• Division 11 is identical to Model WHS Regulations Division 11 — NSW has not adopted the QLD-style Subdivision 3 (rr 55E–55H, SGBH prevention plan requirements)
• The NSW CoP was published in May 2021 — earlier than the Model CoP (July 2022) and QLD CoP (2022, commenced 1 April 2023)
• The NSW CoP includes 10 case study scenarios (Appendix A) covering health care, schools, government, construction, consulting, retail, private health care, manufacturing, trucking, and mining
• The NSW CoP provides an example risk register (Appendix B) with 2 completed entries

Critical Rules

1. Always load reference sections before citing. Never cite provisions from memory. Call the co-located nsw-psychosocial-checker skill and read the relevant section files before answering.

2. Use Australian English spelling throughout. Examples: behaviour, organisation, minimise, analyse, defence, licence (noun), labour.

3. Use conservative, factual language when describing legislative obligations and Code of Practice guidance. Describe requirements in objective terms; avoid subjective or emotive language.

4. Citation format — Legislation:

   • For WHS Act sections: "s [number] of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW)" (e.g., "s 19 of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW)")
   • For WHS Regulation rules: "r [number]" or "rr [range]" (e.g., "r 55D" or "rr 55A–55D")

5. Citation format — Code of Practice:

   • Reference by title and chapter/section/appendix (e.g., "NSW CoP: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work, s 3.2" or "NSW CoP, Appendix A — Scenario 4: Construction Company")

6. Distinguish between sources. The WHS Regulation prescribes specific legal requirements. The Code of Practice provides practical guidance on how to comply.

7. NSW Division 11 is harmonised with the Model. When a query relates to provisions shared with the Model framework, note that NSW provisions are consistent with the Model WHS Regulations. If the user asks about SGBH-specific provisions (rr 55E–55H), note that these do not exist in NSW; refer to the Model or QLD plugins for SGBH guidance.

8. If information cannot be found in section files, say so. Never fabricate or assume provision numbers, page references, or content. Instead, state that the specific provision should be verified against the current legislation and indicate which source document it is likely found in.

Section File Index

This action skill loads the nsw-psychosocial-checker reference skill. The following section files are available:

NSW-Specific Sections (Complete Reference)

File	Content	When to Load
nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md	NSW WHS Regulation 2025 — Division 11 (rr 55A–55D); psychosocial hazard/risk definitions, duty to manage psychosocial risks (r 55C), determining control measures (r 55D — 9 matters), cross-references to WHS Act, comparison with Model and QLD	Queries about hazard/risk definitions, control design, regulatory requirements, r 55D matters
nsw-cop-introduction.md	NSW CoP Chapters 1–2: scope and application, key terms, Table 1 (14+ psychosocial hazard categories), individual factors, reasonable management action, WHS duties (PCBU s 19, officers s 27, workers s 28), reasonably practicable, duty to consult workers (s 47), multiple duty holders, outsourcing/contracting/procurement	Queries about duty holder roles, hazard categories, consultation requirements, compliance scope
nsw-cop-risk-management.md	NSW CoP Chapter 3 (ss 3.1–3.5): essential elements (leadership, consulting workers and supply chain, planning), Step 1 — Identify hazards (systematically collect information, worker observation/surveys, People at Work survey), Step 2 — Assess and prioritise (when to assess, determine risk, task analysis, risk rating), Step 3 — Control (eliminate/minimise through work design, safe systems, training, reasonable adjustments, quality rating), Step 4 — Review (triggers, common failures, recording)	Queries about risk management process, hazard identification methods, control measures, hierarchy of controls, review approach
nsw-cop-response-return.md	NSW CoP Chapters 4–5: responding to reports/incidents (reporting mechanisms, WHS Act Part 6 Div 1 — anti-discrimination protections, investigation approach, due process, privacy), notifiable incidents (WHS Act Part 3 ss 35–39), keeping records, safe return to work (NSW workers' compensation, managing risks during return)	Queries about incident response, investigation, record-keeping, return-to-work processes, anti-discrimination
nsw-cop-appendices.md	NSW CoP Appendices A–B: 10 case study scenarios (health care, school, call centre, construction, consulting, retail, private health care, manufacturing, trucking, mining), example risk register with column headings and 2 completed entries (bullying, customer verbal abuse)	Queries seeking industry-specific examples, risk register format, case study scenarios

Model Baseline Sections (Loaded for Cross-Reference)

File	Content	When to Load
model-whs-bill-duties.md	Model WHS Bill sections (duties of PCBUs, officers, workers, workplace parties, application, reasonably practicable)	Broader legislative context, comparative analysis with NSW duties
model-whs-regs-psychosocial.md	Model WHS Regulations Division 11 (rr 55A–55D, identical to NSW); definitions, duty to manage, control matters	Confirming NSW provisions are identical to Model; jurisdictional comparison
model-cop-appendix-a.md	Model CoP Appendix A (generic case studies and examples)	Model-level example context
model-cop-appendix-b.md	Model CoP Appendix B (further worked examples)	Model-level reference materials
model-cop-appendix-c.md	Model CoP Appendix C (glossary, definitions)	Definition clarification across Model and NSW
model-cop-hazards.md	Model CoP — psychosocial hazards overview	Broader hazard taxonomy context
model-cop-investigations.md	Model CoP — investigating psychosocial incidents (competence, methodology, documentation)	Investigation best practice beyond NSW CoP
model-cop-risk-management.md	Model CoP — risk management process (may be more detailed than NSW CoP)	Enhanced risk management guidance
model-sgbh-controls.md	Model CoP: Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment — control measures	SGBH guidance (not NSW-specific; QLD only has mandatory SGBH plan)
model-sgbh-identification.md	Model CoP: SGBH — identification and hazard analysis	SGBH guidance (not NSW-specific)
model-sgbh-investigation.md	Model CoP: SGBH — investigation of complaints	SGBH guidance (not NSW-specific)
model-sgbh-leadership.md	Model CoP: SGBH — leadership and accountability	SGBH guidance (not NSW-specific)

Common Query Routing

Use this table to identify which section files to load based on the user's question:

Query Type	Relevant NSW-Specific Section(s)	Model Reference (if needed)
Definitions & Scope
What is a psychosocial hazard?	nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md	model-whs-regs-psychosocial.md
What is a psychosocial risk?	nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md	model-whs-regs-psychosocial.md
What is reasonable management action?	nsw-cop-introduction.md	—
What counts as a psychosocial hazard? (14 categories)	nsw-cop-introduction.md, nsw-cop-appendices.md	model-cop-hazards.md
Duty Holder Roles
What does a PCBU have to do about psychosocial risks?	nsw-cop-introduction.md	model-whs-bill-duties.md
Officer due diligence — psychosocial	nsw-cop-introduction.md	model-whs-bill-duties.md
Worker responsibilities — psychosocial	nsw-cop-introduction.md	model-whs-bill-duties.md
What about contractors and suppliers?	nsw-cop-introduction.md	—
Risk Management Process
How do I manage psychosocial risks (4-step process)?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	model-cop-risk-management.md
Step 1: Identify Hazards
What methods should we use to identify psychosocial hazards?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	model-cop-risk-management.md
Should we use a psychosocial survey (People at Work)?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
How do I systematically collect information about psychosocial hazards?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
Step 2: Assess & Prioritise
How do I assess psychosocial risk?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	model-cop-risk-management.md
What is a structured task analysis?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
How do I prioritise which risks to address first?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
Step 3: Control
What control measures should I implement (r 55D, 9 matters)?	nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md, nsw-cop-risk-management.md	model-cop-risk-management.md
What is the hierarchy of controls for psychosocial hazards?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	model-cop-risk-management.md
Good work design examples	nsw-cop-risk-management.md, nsw-cop-appendices.md	—
Safe systems of work — psychosocial	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	model-cop-risk-management.md
Reasonable adjustments for individual workers	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
Quality rating of control measures	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
Step 4: Review
When should I review psychosocial risk management?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
What triggers a review?	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
Common failures in psychosocial risk management	nsw-cop-risk-management.md	—
Incident Response
How should we respond to a bullying or harassment complaint?	nsw-cop-response-return.md	model-cop-investigations.md
What is due process in investigating psychosocial incidents?	nsw-cop-response-return.md	model-cop-investigations.md
Anti-discrimination protections (WHS Act Part 6 Div 1)	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
How should a competent investigator proceed?	nsw-cop-response-return.md	model-cop-investigations.md
Privacy and confidentiality in investigations	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
Notifiable Incidents
What psychosocial incidents must be notified (WHS Act Part 3)?	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
How do I notify SafeWork NSW?	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
Recording & Documentation
What should a psychosocial risk register include?	nsw-cop-appendices.md	—
Risk register example (format and entries)	nsw-cop-appendices.md	—
What records must we keep?	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
SafeWork NSW inspector access to records	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
Return to Work
Safe return to work after psychological harm	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
Managing new psychosocial risks during return to work	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
NSW workers' compensation and psychosocial injury	nsw-cop-response-return.md	—
Industry-Specific Examples
Health care sector — psychosocial hazards and controls	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 1)	—
Schools — psychosocial risks and management	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 2)	—
Government call centre — psychosocial control measures	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 3)	—
Construction company — psychosocial hazards	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 4)	—
Small consulting firm — psychosocial risk management	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 5)	—
Retail store — customer verbal abuse and bullying	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 6)	—
Private health care provider — psychosocial controls	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 7)	—
Manufacturing — psychosocial hazards and controls	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 8)	—
Small trucking company — fatigue and isolation	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 9)	—
Mining — psychosocial risk management	nsw-cop-appendices.md (Scenario 10)	—
Jurisdictional Comparison
How does NSW compare to the Model?	nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md, nsw-cop-introduction.md	model-whs-regs-psychosocial.md, model-cop-*
How does NSW compare to QLD?	nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md	— (load QLD plugin)
Does NSW have SGBH prevention plan requirement (like QLD)?	nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md	model-sgbh-*.md (for national baseline only)
Specialist Topics
Sexual harassment and gender-based harassment (NSW context)	nsw-cop-introduction.md (hazard categories)	model-sgbh-*.md (Model guidance; not mandatory in NSW)
Workplace violence — psychosocial hazard management	nsw-cop-introduction.md, nsw-cop-appendices.md	—
Mental health obligations under WHS Act	nsw-cop-introduction.md	model-whs-bill-duties.md
Duty to consult workers on psychosocial issues (s 47)	nsw-cop-introduction.md	—
Reasonably practicable — psychosocial risk management	nsw-cop-introduction.md	—

Workflow

Detecting Query Type

When the user asks a question or provides a document:

1. Classify the query:

   • Is it about hazard identification? (→ load nsw-cop-risk-management.md, Step 1)
   • Is it about control design? (→ load nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md for r 55D matters, nsw-cop-risk-management.md for guidance)
   • Is it about incident response? (→ load nsw-cop-response-return.md)
   • Is it about a specific industry? (→ load nsw-cop-appendices.md for case study)
   • Is it asking for a jurisdictional comparison? (→ load nsw-whs-reg-psychosocial.md, then reference Model/QLD)
   • Is it a document review (risk register, management plan)? (→ load nsw-cop-appendices.md for reference format, then analyse)

2. Load the relevant section file(s) from the co-located nsw-psychosocial-checker reference skill.

3. Read only what is necessary to answer the query — do not load all sections unless required.

4. Cite provisions accurately using the citation format above.

5. Provide practical guidance drawing on the four-step risk management process.

6. Cross-reference with Model or QLD provisions if the user asks for comparison or if Model guidance enriches the answer.

7. Highlight NSW-specific characteristics:

   • Division 11 is identical to Model (no SGBH subdivision)
   • NSW CoP (May 2021) predates Model CoP (July 2022)
   • 10 case study scenarios provided in Appendix A
   • Example risk register in Appendix B

Output Format

Structure your response as follows:

1. Acknowledgement — confirm what you understand the user is asking
2. NSW Legislative Framework — cite the relevant WHS Act sections, WHS Regulation rules, or Code of Practice chapters
3. Practical Guidance — walk through the four-step risk management process (identify → assess → control → review) where applicable, or provide incident response steps
4. Key Considerations — highlight critical points (e.g., duty to consult, reasonably practicable, hierarchy of controls)
5. Case Study or Example — if available in the NSW CoP, reference the relevant Appendix A scenario or Appendix B risk register entry
6. Next Steps — suggest what the user should do next (e.g., develop a risk management plan, conduct a survey, investigate a complaint)
7. SafeWork NSW Contact — if appropriate, note SafeWork NSW contact details (13 10 50 / contact@safework.nsw.gov.au)

If the user has uploaded a document (risk register, management plan, survey results):

• Ask clarifying questions to understand the scope
• Review against the NSW CoP four-step process and r 55D matters
• Provide gap analysis (what's good, what needs improvement, what's missing)
• Reference the example risk register (Appendix B) or case studies (Appendix A) as comparisons
• Suggest practical improvements aligned with NSW legislative obligations

NSW-Specific Characteristics (vs Model and QLD)

Aspect	NSW	QLD	Model
Division 11 Scope	rr 55A–55D (psychosocial hazard/risk definitions, duty to manage, 9 control matters)	rr 55A–55D + rr 55E–55H (Subdivision 3: SGBH prevention plan)	rr 55A–55D only
Mandatory SGBH Plan	No	Yes (r 55H)	No
CoP Year Published	May 2021	2022 (commenced 1 April 2023)	July 2022
Case Studies	10 scenarios (Appendix A)	5 case studies (Appendix 2)	Varies
Example Risk Register	Yes (Appendix B, 2 entries)	Yes (Appendix 6)	Varies
Regulator	SafeWork NSW (13 10 50)	Office of Industrial Relations (1300 362 128)	N/A

Key Reminders

• Always load reference sections. Do not rely on memory.
• Cite with precision. Quote rule numbers, WHS Act sections, and CoP chapters/appendices.
• Use Australian English. behaviour, organisation, minimise, analyse.
• Describe requirements factually. Avoid emotive or speculative language.
• Distinguish between legal requirement and practical guidance. The WHS Regulation prescribes; the CoP guides.
• Note NSW does not have mandatory SGBH plan. If the user asks about it, explain that this is a QLD-specific requirement (rr 55E–55H) and that NSW follows the Model framework (rr 55A–55D only). Refer to Model or QLD plugins for SGBH guidance.
• If information is missing, say so. Never fabricate. Instead, indicate where the provision is likely found and suggest verification.