New Government regulations have put a spotlight on psychosocial workplace hazard training in the agricultural sector.
To help industry navigate the changes, AgForce Training’s National Partnerships Manager Kylie Moffatt, a new addition to the team, has hit the ground running to raise awareness about the latest psychosocial training requirements and their real-world impact.
“I’m committed to supporting rural businesses and communities thrive whilst maintaining a safe and practical workplace,” says Kylie. “Workplace hazards can take many forms, so staying current with regulations is essential in supporting rural teams’ holistic health and overall performance.”
Recent engagement with agricultural businesses across Central Eastern Queensland has reinforced a consistent message that business owners want practical support to meet the new psychosocial training obligations, but don’t necessarily know where to start.
“We’ve found that most agricultural businesses are not resistant to change,” says Kylie. “But rather want more clarity, direction and practical tools to stay current with the latest regulations.”
The “Managing The Risk Of Psychosocial Hazards At Work Code of Practice 2022”, under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, provides practical guidance for preventing psychosocial harm at work. However, agricultural businesses wanting to implement these guidelines into their everyday business practices are often left feeling overwhelmed or confused.
“Producers have told us they need accessible, practical training with non-accredited requirements that cut through all the complexity,” says Kylie. “They want straightforward action plans tailored to agriculture – not generic corporate frameworks.”
AgForce Training understands that psychosocial hazards manifest differently in rural businesses compared to urban ones. Factors such as remote and isolated work, seasonal pressures, extreme weather, long hours and the intergenerational demands of family-run enterprises all contribute to unique workplace stressors.
“Supporting rural businesses means recognising their unique challenges and providing practical strategies to manage the psychological risks,” says Kylie. “Our goal is to help rural teams feel safer, more supported and more confident in their day-to-day roles.”
AgForce Training views psychosocial hazard management as a natural and necessary extension of its Bridging the Gap Farm Essentials program. The dedicated Mental Health and Cultural Awareness training module is currently designed to equip team leaders with the confidence and practical skills to recognise early warning signs of mental health challenges among team members and guide them to appropriate support platforms.
“We already have a strong foundation to support rural business owners,” says Kylie. “Our next step is to provide structured, practical steps that connect business owners’ legal obligations to their everyday farming operations.”
AgForce Training is passionate about delivering practical psychosocial solutions that have a meaningful impact in agricultural workplaces. Compliance with psychosocial workplace hazard training builds stronger teams that are more capable of navigating rural challenges, including droughts, floods, market volatility and operational pressures.
“Most importantly, this is not about ticking boxes,” says Kylie. “Effective psychosocial risk management strengthens businesses and protects people.
“And people are the most important asset of any agricultural business.”
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AgForce Training programs are designed by industry people, for industry people.
For more information, contact Kylie Moffatt, National Partnerships Manager.
0428 762 815