Everything you need to understand and manage psychosocial risk.
Psychosocial risk management is a relatively new formal obligation for most organisations, but the research and frameworks behind it are well developed. This knowledge base brings together the key concepts, legislation summaries, and in-depth guidance on each of the 18 psychosocial work factors.
The 18 psychosocial work factors
See all →Each factor is explained in depth, with evidence context, warning signs, control measures, legal context, a self-assessment, and a regulatory timeline.
Work Demands
The volume, pace, and complexity of what is asked of workers.
Learning and Stimulation
Whether work offers enough challenge, variety, and opportunity for growth.
Role Clarity
Whether workers clearly understand what is expected of them.
Autonomy
The degree of control workers have over how they do their work.
Change Management
How organisational change is communicated, managed, and supported.
Work Interaction
The quality of relationships and interactions within the team and organisation.
Support
Whether workers receive adequate support from their manager and colleagues.
Leadership
The quality and consistency of management behaviour at all levels.
Organisational Justice
Whether workers experience the organisation as fair and equitable.
Job Security
Workers' confidence in the stability of their employment.
Physical Environment
How the physical conditions of work affect psychological wellbeing.
Recognition and Reward
Whether workers feel their contributions are acknowledged and valued.
Work Monitoring
How worker performance is measured, observed, and reported.
Exposure to Violence
Whether workers face the risk of physical or verbal aggression at work.
Schedule and Hours
The arrangement of working time and its effect on health and recovery.
Exposure to Trauma
Whether workers encounter traumatic events or material as part of their role.
Harassment and Bullying
Whether workers experience unwanted, repeated, or hostile behaviour from others.
Connection at Work
Whether workers feel a genuine sense of belonging and social connection.
See it in action
Curious how Clearhead monitors all 18 factors?
See exactly how monthly check-ins flow into a full psychosocial risk report — for both employees and H&S leaders.
Guides and legislation
Plain-language explanations of the standards, regulations, and frameworks that govern psychosocial risk management across Australia and New Zealand.
What is psychosocial risk?
A plain-language introduction to psychosocial hazards, the 18-factor framework, and what managing them looks like in practice.
What is ISO 45003?
The global standard for psychological health and safety at work, explained for H&S and HR leaders without the ISO jargon.
Psychosocial risk legislation in Australia
What the WHS Regulations, Model Code of Practice, and state-specific obligations actually require from PCBUs in 2025-2026.
Psychosocial risk obligations in New Zealand
What the HSWA requires and what WorkSafe NZ's 2024 guidance means for NZ employers managing psychosocial risk.
People at Work replacement options
What the 2026 discontinuation means and how to evaluate alternatives for ongoing psychosocial risk monitoring.
How to export your People at Work data
Step-by-step instructions for exporting your historical PAW data before the October 2026 shutdown.
Ready to start monitoring psychosocial risk systematically?
Clearhead's Psychosocial Risk Pulse Tool gives your organisation monthly, documented evidence of ongoing psychosocial risk monitoring across all 18 factors, aligned with ISO 45003 and the WHS Model Code.
Talk to our team