Workplace wellbeing policy template
A free, ready-to-edit workplace wellbeing policy template for Australian businesses. Set out your commitment to employees' physical, mental and social health, manage psychosocial hazards under WHS law, and connect your team to support like EAP — no signup required.
Workplace wellbeing policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This workplace wellbeing policy template reflects Australian work health and safety standards at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your business — it is not legal or medical advice. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
What is a workplace wellbeing policy?
A workplace wellbeing policy is a formal document that sets out your organisation’s commitment to supporting employees’ physical, mental and social health. It defines the guidelines, expectations and support systems your business uses to prevent burnout, reduce stress and foster a positive culture.
Under Australian work health and safety law, psychological health is treated the same as physical safety. Employers have a duty to identify and manage psychosocial hazards — things like high job demands, low job control, poor support, bullying and harassment — so far as is reasonably practicable. A documented wellbeing policy is one of the clearest ways to meet that duty and show your team you take it seriously.
Beyond compliance, prioritising wellbeing reduces absenteeism, improves retention and lifts engagement. This template pairs naturally with your respectful workplace policy and fatigue management policy. Store it and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood it.
What a workplace wellbeing policy should cover
The core elements of a complete wellbeing framework
Mental & emotional health
Support for psychological wellbeing, stress and managing psychosocial hazards at work.
Physical health
Initiatives for fitness, healthy eating, ergonomics and access to health checks.
Work-life balance
Flexible work, reasonable workloads and the right to disconnect outside hours.
Employee assistance program
Free, confidential counselling and referral through an EAP.
Wellbeing initiatives
Proactive programs, education and activities that build a healthy culture.
Roles & responsibilities
What leaders, managers and employees each do to support wellbeing.
What's included in this template
A comprehensive approach to employee wellbeing
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who and when it applies to.
Commitment to wellbeing
The organisation's commitment to mental, physical and social health.
Mental health & psychosocial hazards
How the business identifies and manages risks to psychological health.
Physical wellbeing
Initiatives and resources supporting physical health and fitness.
Work-life balance
Flexible arrangements, reasonable workloads and the right to disconnect.
Employee assistance program
Access to free, confidential counselling and support services.
Wellbeing initiatives
Programs, activities and education that promote wellbeing.
Manager responsibilities
How leaders support, model and respond to wellbeing concerns.
Seeking help
How and when employees can access internal and external support.
Review & acknowledgement
How the policy is monitored, improved and signed off by staff.
Wellbeing under Australian WHS law
What employers must do — and what good practice looks like
Manage psychosocial hazards
Model WHS regulations require employers to identify and control psychosocial hazards — such as high job demands, low control, poor support, role conflict, bullying and exposure to traumatic events — so far as is reasonably practicable. Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice on managing psychosocial hazards sets out how to do this. Your wellbeing policy should reference your risk-management approach.
Make support easy to reach
A policy only helps if people use it. Make EAP details, internal contacts and crisis support visible and easy to access, and make clear that seeking help is encouraged and confidential. Train managers to recognise early signs of distress and respond with care rather than judgement.
The four pillars of workplace wellbeing
Mental & emotional
Anti-bullying, EAP, mental health education and a culture where it's safe to speak up.
Physical
Healthy eating, fitness, ergonomics and access to health checks.
Work-life balance
Flexible work, manageable workloads and the right to disconnect.
Financial
Fair pay, superannuation clarity and access to financial wellbeing resources.
Wellbeing overlaps with your other safety obligations — design work to reduce fatigue with a fatigue management policy, and support staff returning after illness or injury with a clear return to work process.
Consult your workers and any health and safety representatives when you tailor this policy — the people doing the work usually know the hazards best. For broader context on your duties, see our employment law guide, and review official guidance from Safe Work Australia and your state WHS regulator before you finalise the policy.
Who should use this template?
Every Australian employer has a duty to protect psychological health
Especially valuable for managers and supervisors, who are usually the first to notice — and respond to — a wellbeing concern.
Compliance resources
Official guidance on workplace health, wellbeing and psychosocial risk.
Manage your policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail — all in one place.
Related guides
Put your wellbeing policy into practice
Related templates
Build out your safety & compliance framework
Fatigue management policy
Manage fatigue risks and ensure adequate rest between shifts.
View templateFitness for work policy
Ensure employees are fit and capable of performing duties safely.
View templateRespectful workplace policy
A positive, values-based approach to dignity and respect at work.
View templateWorkplace wellbeing policy FAQ
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A workplace wellbeing policy is a formal document that sets out an organisation’s commitment to supporting employees’ physical, mental and social health. It defines the guidelines, expectations and support systems used to prevent burnout, reduce stress and build a positive culture — typically covering mental and emotional health, physical health, work-life balance and financial wellbeing.
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Under Australian WHS law, employers must manage risks to psychological health, just like physical hazards. A wellbeing policy helps you meet that duty, set clear expectations, and connect staff to support. It also reduces absenteeism and turnover and improves engagement — see our employment law guide for the wider context.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.