Why Refresher Training Matters

admin • May 18, 2026

At BeSafe Victoria, we love seeing how much our Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) get out of returning for Refresher Training. There is no doubt in our minds that HSR Refresher Training is really valuable, and we absolutely love seeing old and new participants come in to share their experiences too. There have been significant changes to legislation and OHS requirements and most recently the introduction of the Psychological Health Regulations. We now deliver the brand new WorkSafe Approved Refresher Course focusing on Psychosocial Hazards and have seen how beneficial this new course is to HSRs, who take their new-found knowledge back to their workplaces.


HSRs play a vital role in protecting the wellbeing of their colleagues. They are the bridge between workers and management, ensuring that safety concerns are heard, understood, and acted upon. While completing the Initial HSR Training is a great start, refresher training is just as important and in fact, it’s an entitlement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 for all HSRs and deputy HSRs.


1. Keeping Knowledge Current

Workplace safety laws, industry standards, and best practices evolve over time. Annual refresher training ensures HSRs stay up to date with:

  • Changes to OHS legislation in Victoria
  • New hazard control methods and technologies
  • Updated WorkSafe guidance and compliance expectations

This means HSRs can confidently apply the most current safety strategies in their workplace.


2. Strengthening Confidence and Skills

Even the most experienced HSR can benefit from revisiting core principles. Refresher courses:

  • Reinforce understanding of the role of HSRs
  • Provide practical tools for effective consultation and issue resolution
  • Build confidence in raising and addressing safety concerns


3. Creating Space for Real-World Problem Solving

Refresher training offers a collaborative environment where HSRs can:

  • Share experiences and challenges with peers from other workplaces
  • Learn from real-life case studies
  • Explore solutions to complex safety issues

This peer-to-peer learning often sparks new ideas that can be applied immediately back on the job.


4. Strengthening Workplace Safety Culture

When HSRs are well-trained and confident, they inspire others to take safety seriously. Regular refreshers:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement
  • Encourage open conversations about hazards
  • Help embed safety as a shared responsibility across the workplace


Your Right to Attend

In Victoria, HSRs are entitled to attend a one-day refresher training each year, and employers must allow this. Choosing a WorkSafe-approved provider ensures the training meets standards and delivers practical, relevant content.


Employers who encourage attendance know that HSR refresher training isn’t just a box to tick, it’s an investment in safer, healthier workplaces. By keeping skills sharp and knowledge current, HSRs can continue to be strong advocates for their colleagues and champions of workplace safety. They can play a key role in helping the employer to ensure the workplace is safe and to be compliant with consultation obligations under the OHS Act.


At BeSafe, we can deliver training throughout Victoria. We have listed courses on our website, but these are only the tip of the iceberg! We can book in courses on demand in any location and we can even come and deliver a course on-site at your workplace. Don't forget we also offer free support after your course too!



Get in touch with us: 0407002060 info@besafevictoria.com.au

Small Business and Managing Psychosocial Hazards

By admin • September 7, 2026
When we think of workplace safety, we usually picture high-vis vests and machinery guards. But, we can’t forget that employers have the exact same legal obligation to protect workers from psychological harm as they do from physical injuries. For small-to-medium businesses, managing "psychosocial hazards" can feel overwhelming, especially because these risks may seem “invisible”. Things like chronic stress, bullying, or burnout can also seem more tricky to control than your slips, trips and falls. Here is a quick guide to understanding your duties and protecting your team. What is a Psychosocial Hazard? A psychosocial hazard is anything in the design or management of work that increases the risk of psychological harm. Common examples include: Unrealistic workloads, constant tight deadlines, or a lack of role clarity. Bullying, harassment, or a lack of support from supervisors. High-stress customer interactions or dealing with traumatic situations. Left unmanaged, psychosocial hazards lead to high staff turnover, absenteeism, and long-term psychological injury claims. Meeting Your Legal Duties: The 4-Step Process Victorian Safety Legislation require employers to eliminate or reduce psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable usi ng a four-step Risk Management process: Identify Hazards: Look for warning signs like spikes in sick leave. Cruciall y, consult with your staff and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) t o find out where the stress points are. Assess Risks: Evaluate how likely these are to cause harm, as well as how severe and frequent these stressors are. Control Risks: Fix the job, not the person. You must change your systems of work to reduce the risk. For example by changing workflows, clarifying job descriptions, balancing workloads, and build a culture where staff can safely speak up. Review Controls: Regularly check back with your team and HSRs to ensure your changes are working. There are WorkSafe Victoria developed tools to help you with each step of the process and we can teach you how to use them... How BeSafe Victoria Can Help We understand that it can be hard to know where to start. You don't have to figure this out alone. At BeSafe Victoria , we specialise in providing the knowledge and skills to manage safety challenges. We run courses for HSRs, but we often have employers and managers attend so that they can understand how to apply the risk management process to psychosocial hazards. We will introduce you to a step-by-step process and provide the resources you need to make sure your workplace is safe. Contact BeSafe Victoria to find out more: HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria

NEW HSR Refresher OHS Training Course - Aggression or Violence

By admin • August 10, 2026
BeSafe Victoria is pleased to announce the upcoming delivery of a new Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher OHS Training Course focused on Aggression and Violence in the workplace . This is a brand new WorkSafe developed training course, which equips HSRs with practical knowledge and skills to address one of the most significant psychosocial hazards facing Victorian workplaces today. Workplace aggression and violence can occur in any industry and the impacts can be both physical and psychological, not only affecting the person directly involved but also those who witness or are exposed to these incidents. Impacts also extend beyond the workplace to affect family and community. The new course explores aggression and violence through a risk management lens, building skills in hazard identification, assessing risks, finding effective controls and in contributing to effective workplace consultation. The training aligns with the growing emphasis on managing psychosocial hazards and reflects contemporary workplace health and safety expectations, including the management of aggression and violence as a workplace risk. The knowledge gained is important in ensuring that legal obligations, including those relating to the Psychological Health Regulations, are met and that workplaces are safe. As always, BeSafe Victoria is committed to providing engaging, practical and relevant training. This new refresher course offers an excellent opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge, build confidence in addressing workplace risks and return to their workplaces with practical strategies for supporting safer work environments. Bookings for this new HSR Refresher OHS Training Course on Aggression and Violence will be available soon. To register your interest, go to HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria or email us at info@besafevictoria.com.au  We look forward to helping you create safer, healthier and more respectful workplaces across Victoria.