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Psychosocial hazards: Lessons from the law and the classroom

14 August, 2026

In schools across Australia, the conversation around safety has broadened, as Rachel Drew from Thomsons writes.

No longer confined to physical risks, slippery floors, faulty wiring or playground falls, school safety now squarely includes psychosocial hazards: the stress, trauma and emotional load that educators face daily in their work.

Nowhere is this more evident than in classrooms where students present with complex learning or behavioural needs.

The 2024 case of SafeWork NSW v Marist Youth Care Limited underscores the seriousness of these hazards.

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IEU-QNT Industrial Officer Mark Moorhead said facing allegations of wrongdoing can be distressing, but our union has experience supporting members through these situations.