Summit 1
NDIS & SIL Psychosocial Regulations and Mental Health Wellbeing Summit:
Safeguarding Workers & Participants
Date : Tuesday 21st April 2026
Venue : Club York 95-99 York St, Sydney
Time : 8.30am - 4.30pm
Networking : 4.45pm - 6.30pm
Cost : $295pp
Includes Morning tea, Lunch and Networking following the event
Event Overview
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The 2026 NDIS & SIL Psychosocial & Mental Health Safety Summit is a premier professional forum tailored for NDIS and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers, allied health professionals, support coordinators, and operational leaders in Sydney.
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This summit addresses one of the most critical and evolving aspects of the sector: managing psychosocial hazards to safeguard both participants and workers in a complex regulatory landscape.
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From 2026, New South Wales is implementing significant reforms in the management of psychosocial hazards in the NDIS and SIL sector. The Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work will become legally enforceable, creating a clear duty for organisations to actively identify, assess, and control psychosocial risks.
SafeWork NSW is simultaneously increasing compliance inspections, particularly targeting high-risk workplaces, reinforcing that psychosocial risk management is no longer optional or reactive -it must be embedded into everyday operational practice.
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These reforms reflect a national trend of elevating psychosocial risk management from wellbeing initiatives to governance, compliance, and leadership imperatives. Providers now have a dual responsibility: to ensure participant safety, particularly for those with psychosocial disabilities, and to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce.
This includes managing risks such as burnout, fatigue, exposure to aggression or trauma, and secondary stress.
The summit will provide attendees with:
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Comprehensive understanding of NSW 2026 psychosocial hazard regulations and the practical application of the legally enforceable Code of Practice.
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Strategies to protect participants, including those with psychosocial disabilities, from risks such as trauma exposure, social isolation, and inconsistent care.
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Tools to safeguard workers from burnout, fatigue, aggression, or secondary trauma, ensuring sustainable workforce wellbeing.
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Guidance on integrating higher-order controls into operational procedures, including work design, staffing, role clarity, environmental adjustments, and emergency response planning, rather than relying solely on policies or training.
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Practical preparation for SafeWork NSW audits and inspections, including documentation, record-keeping, and demonstrating compliance with enforceable codes.
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Insight into the legal and organisational responsibilities associated with psychosocial risk management, including liability for officers, managers, and organisations.
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Who should attend & why?
This summit is specifically designed for leaders, professionals, and decision-makers in the NDIS and SIL sector who are responsible for participant safety, workforce wellbeing, and regulatory compliance.
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NDIS and SIL Providers: Executive managers, operational leaders, and service coordinators responsible for organisational risk management and participant outcomes.
Allied Health Professionals: Occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, and other allied health practitioners involved in participant assessments, support planning, and risk mitigation.
Support Coordinators & Case Managers: Those coordinating care and supports for participants with psychosocial disabilities, ensuring safe and compliant service delivery.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Officers: Professionals overseeing policy implementation, WHS compliance, and audit preparation within NDIS and SIL organisations.
HR and Workforce Leaders: Those managing workforce wellbeing, staff training, and mental health support initiatives in high-stress operational environments.
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Why attend:
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Understand NSW 2026 Regulatory Reforms: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the legally enforceable Code of Practice and the hierarchy of controls for psychosocial hazards.
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Protect Participants & Workers: Learn strategies to safeguard participants from psychosocial risks while preventing burnout, fatigue, and secondary trauma among staff.
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Operationalise Compliance: Receive actionable guidance to embed higher-order controls into daily operations and organisational culture.
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Prepare for Audits & Inspections: Equip your organisation with practical tools, documentation standards, and processes to demonstrate compliance to SafeWork NSW.
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Mitigate Legal & Organisational Risk: Understand liability, duty of care obligations, and risk management strategies for both participants and workers.
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Benchmark & Network: Connect with sector leaders, regulators, and peers to share best practices and benchmark organisational strategies in psychosocial safety.
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Attending this summit equips organisations and professionals to meet 2026 regulatory requirements, strengthen participant safety, and foster a resilient, supported workforce capable of delivering high-quality NDIS and SIL services.
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Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based strategies to embed psychosocial safety into their organisational culture, ensuring that both participant protection and worker wellbeing are systematically prioritised, measurable, and sustainable.​
This summit offers an essential platform for sector leaders to align operational practices with legal obligations, enhance workforce resilience, and drive improved outcomes for participants across the NDIS and SIL sectors.
TOPICS
NSW Psychosocial Safety Compliance – From Policy to Legal Obligation
From July 2026, the Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work becomes legally enforceable under Section 26A of the Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025.
This session provides NDIS and SIL attendees with a comprehensive overview of the regulatory shift, highlighting the legal duty to actively manage psychosocial hazards.
Attendees will explore:
• Transitioning from policy and training-based approaches to legally mandated risk management.
• Application of the hierarchy of controls to psychosocial hazards.
• Case studies illustrating successful compliance strategies in high-risk NDIS and SIL settings.
• Practical steps for embedding psychosocial safety in organisational procedures, HR policies, and leadership practices.
• How to document and demonstrate compliance to regulators and auditors, protecting both participants and workers.
By the end of this session, attendees will understand the legal landscape and their obligations, ensuring organisational readiness for 2026.
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Higher-Order Controls & Worker Protection – Embedding Psychosocial Risk Management in NDIS & SIL Operations
Managing psychosocial hazards in NDIS and SIL environments requires a proactive, systemic approach that safeguards both workers and participants.
This session equips attendees with practical strategies to embed higher-order controls into daily operations, addressing risks such as burnout, fatigue, moral injury, and participant aggression.
Topics include:
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Workload and staffing optimisation to prevent burnout, fatigue, and stress.
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Role clarity and accountability to reduce confusion, conflict, and moral injury.
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Environmental adjustments and operational planning to minimise exposure to participant aggression or trauma.
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Emergency response and de-escalation strategies for high-risk incidents.
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Worker wellbeing initiatives, including mental health support, debriefing, and peer support programs.
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Early identification of burnout and fatigue, with prevention and resilience-building strategies.
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Safe management of aggressive or violent participants while maintaining duty of care.
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Integration of psychosocial risk management into organisational culture, governance, and operational systems to create sustainable safety and wellbeing practices.
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Attendees will leave with tools, checklists, and frameworks to systematically reduce worker burnout, manage participant aggression, and embed psychosocial safety into operational practices, ensuring both participant protection and workforce resilience.
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Managing Psychosocial Hazards for Vulnerable Participants
NDIS and SIL participants, particularly those with psychosocial disabilities, are at increased risk due to regulatory changes, support shifts, and service pressures.
This session explores:
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The transition to the “I-Can” assessment tool and implications for participant support planning.
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Risks associated with the potential diversion of participants to community-based services, including self-harm, homelessness, or hospital admissions.
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Identifying psychosocial hazards that may impact participants, including isolation, trauma exposure, and inconsistent care.
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Strategies for protecting participants while maintaining compliance with the hierarchy of controls.
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Integrating participant safety measures with worker safety and wellbeing protocols to prevent secondary stress or burnout.
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Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the intersection between participant needs, regulatory obligations, and operational risk management.
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Targeted Inspections and Enforcement – Preparing for SafeWork NSW Audits
With SafeWork NSW increasing inspections by 25% per year through 2026, providers must be proactively audit-ready. This session provides NDIS and SIL attendees with:
• Step-by-step preparation for inspections, including risk registers, evidence of controls, and consultation documentation.
• Tools for demonstrating compliance with legally enforceable codes and hierarchical control measures.
• Guidance on common inspection findings and how to prevent non-compliance issues.
• Strategies for protecting workers from psychosocial hazards such as aggression, burnout, or exposure to trauma, while safeguarding participants.
• Practical checklists and templates for audit readiness.
Attendees will gain confidence in demonstrating adherence to regulations and maintaining safe, compliant operations.
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Legal Implications of the Psychosocial Code becoming Binding Law
With the Code legally enforceable from 1 July 2026, non-compliance carries significant legal risk.
This session explores:
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Translating regulatory requirements into legally defensible, actionable practices.
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Maintaining auditable records to protect participants and workers.
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Understanding organisational and officer liability in managing psychosocial hazards.
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Embedding psychosocial safety into governance, reporting, and leadership structures.
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Attendees will gain a roadmap to ensure compliance while safeguarding participants and staff.
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Documentation, Risk Management & Liability: Preparing for Legal Scrutiny
Effective psychosocial risk management requires robust documentation, monitoring, and consultation processes.
This session focuses on:
• Legally defensible incident recording, risk assessment, and reporting.
• Aligning WHS compliance with broader legal duties to protect officers, managers, and the organisation.
• Managing risks related to worker burnout, fatigue, exposure to aggression, or moral injury.
• Ensuring systems are audit-ready, including review cycles, consultation evidence, and control effectiveness.
• Using documentation and evidence to support defence in the event of regulatory scrutiny or litigation.
Attendees will gain a practical framework for managing psychosocial hazards in a legally compliant, participant-focused, and worker-safe manner.