The Victorian Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework

The Framework has been created to reflect best practice and guide Victorian workplaces to be mentally healthy.

Mentally healthy workplaces:

Promote wellbeing and positive aspects of work,
Identify and manage risks to create a fair and safe workplace (please see WorkSafe Victoria(opens in a new window) for additional guidance).
Respond early to warning signs, with effective tools, skills and commitment.

Three white circles, with blue rings interconnecting them and icons inside representing 'Protect, Promote, Respond'

Our workplaces have a big role to play towards our wellbeing. In 2021-2022 in Victoria, more than 4000 claims received by WorkSafe Victoria were for mental injuries.

We need to support industries, workplaces, leaders, supervisors, managers and workers to promote, protect and respond to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

In February 2021, the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (RCVMHS) handed down its Final Report outlining key recommendations to the Victorian Government. This Victorian Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework (‘the Framework’) has been developed in response to the Victorian Government committing to implementing all recommendations of the Royal Commission, part of which involves delivering a state-wide framework to support mentally healthy workplaces.

Work is underway to support mentally healthy workplaces in Victoria. This includes changes to Occupational Health and Safety regulations to better address risks to the psychological health of workers. WorkSafe Victoria provides workplaces with tools, templates, and resources to address work-related factors that impact mental health and promote good practice.

Illustration of tram with grey skyline in background

The Victorian Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework

The Framework on a page

The Framework on a Page contains three boxes; one labeled Framework Objective, one labeled Framework Features, and one labeled Implementation Principles.
The Framework Objective box reads: The Victorian Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework aims to assist all Victorian workplaces and workers to thrive. This Framework prioritises action areas for businesses to easily focus efforts to improve and progress safety, education, wellbeing, inclusion, and performance – for organisations, their teams and for all workers.
The Framework Features box contains a circle diagram with three layers; the inner layer lists the three Framework features: "Promote; Protect; Respond". The middle layer lists the 6 Areas of Focus "Leadership and accountability; Culture; Policies and practices; Education and capability; Inclusion; and Risk Prevention". The outer layer lists 5 Places to Start "Strategy / Action Plan; Positive Team and Workplace Culture; Leadership Capability Development; Aligned Structures, Policies, & Practices; and Proactive Risk Management".
The Implementation Principles box contains 6 connected circles, the circles are labeled "Strengths Based; Actions; Integrated Approach; Co-Design; Continuous Improvement; and Consistency"
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The Framework complements existing resources developed by WorkSafe Victoria, the National Workplace Initiative and Business Victoria to help support Victorian workplaces implement good practices. It includes:

3 foundational features‘promote’, ‘protect’, and ‘respond’
6 areas of focusto drive and enable mentally healthy workplaces
5 starting actionswith clear, effective, and practical steps for organisations to take
6 best practice waysto guide how to implement the Framework in each workplace

To help you implement the Framework, tools have been created to help your business start on the journey to creating a mentally healthy workplace:

A guide to developing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy or Action Plan

A guide for organisations to support recovery-at-work and return-to-work of a worker after psychological illness or injury

A guide on how to support workers in short-term, casual, insecure or irregular roles

See the pages below to learn more, know where to go for additional information and to use the tools.

We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.
Some of the most powerful evidence to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System came from the personal experience of people living with mental ill-health, their families, and carers.
There has been extraordinary determination and courage as people have revisited painful memories in the hope of shaping a better future for themselves and others. We and other Victorians are deeply appreciative for this. This website uses language to describe and discuss themes and concepts relating to mental health, but we acknowledge others might use different words to communicate their experience which are also valid.
The Framework and tools created is intended for general information and guidance purposes only and should not be considered or relied upon as an official compliance tool or advice. Using this guide does not ensure compliance with Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Additional resources such as those provided by WorkSafe Victoria need to be considered / adopted to abide by regulations.
Whilst efforts have been made to ensure information presented is accurate and reliable, it is important to note that laws, regulations and requirements can change over time and may vary by jurisdiction. The following pages do not constitute legal, professional or regulatory advice. It is recommended that you consult the appropriate jurisdictional resources and consult with qualified legal or compliance professionals if you require specific compliance and regulatory guidance.
If you or someone you know or work with are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact one of these 24 hours, 7 days services:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
- QLife: 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight daily)
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
- 13YARN: 13 92 76

The Framework
The Framework includes guidance on foundational features, areas of focus, places to start and how to implement the Framework to build a mentally healthy workplace
Tools to implement the Framework
A suite of tools to support organisations developing a mentally healthy workspace
Glossary
Terms and definitions used in the Victorian Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework

Updated 8 December 2023