Local Councils Can Strengthen Workplace Culture and Reduce Psychosocial Hazards

Psychosocial hazards affect Australia’s 537 local government councils and their combined workforce of more than 190,000 employees. What are local council leaders doing to reduce psychosocial risks and improve employee wellbeing and mental health?

Australian workplaces are facing a looming mental health crisis. Workplace wellbeing is in decline: The country’s share of thriving employees has fallen four percentage points in the past year to 56%, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report. Workplace stress is also on the rise, with about half of Australian employees reported experiencing stress for much of the previous day.

Psychosocial injury claims cost Australia’s economy an estimated A$39.9 billion annually, according to the Australian Government Productivity Commission’s June 2020 Inquiry Report on Mental Health. Declining employee wellbeing and rising stress levels are likely to foster increased psychosocial hazards in both private- and public-sector organisations.

Join this special online event to learn how Fraser Coast Regional Council, Woollahra Municipal Council and other Australian councils are improving workplace engagement, wellbeing, and organisational performance while using best practices to reduce psychosocial hazards and better serving their communities.

You will hear about:

• how government councils are using employee engagement to prevent psychosocial hazards
• strategies successful councils are using to assess cultural risk and prioritise actions that support workplace engagement and wellbeing
• best practices for leaders to assess organisational culture and prevent psychosocial hazards before they cause harm
• how councils can go beyond compliance to create a culture that fosters psychosocial safety and boosts productivity and performance