Sessions
Discover a carefully curated lineup of sessions featuring expert insights, live podcast recordings, and real-world case studies on key themes like evidence-based practices, inclusive work design, and leadership in mentally healthy workplaces. Learn from global leaders and explore the future of mental health at work.
Registration Open (Welcome Tea & Coffee)
Welcome Address
The official opening of PHSCON 2025, featuring Liz Payne and Jason van Schie. This session welcomes delegates and outlines the focus for the two-day conference on psychosocial health and safety at work.
Evidence-Based Practice for Psychosocial Safety
In this live podcast recording of the Psych Health and Safety Podcast, co-hosts Jason van Schie and Joelle Mitchell will chat with Professor Rob Briner of Birkbeck University about how to apply evidence-based practice to psychosocial safety and mental health at work more broadly.
Learn more about the critical topic of applying evidence-based practice for psychosocial safety and mental health in the workplace. Given the increasing complexities around mental health issues and the growing body of evidence that many popular workplace mental health interventions are ineffective—or, in some cases, even harmful—this discussion could
Morning Tea – Exhibition Opens
Evolution of the National Standard of Canada
In this conversation, Mary Ann Baynton and Millie Thompson will delve into the advancements in psychological health and safety in Canada since the publication of the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety at Work in 2013.
Mary Ann will discuss the impact of the standard on workplace culture, the challenges faced in its implementation, and the progress made in fostering mentally healthy work environments. Through her expertise, she will provide valuable insights into the evolution of psychological health and safety practices, highlighting the ongoing efforts to create safer, more supportive workplaces across Canada.
Improving Governance of Psychosocial Safety
In this conversation, Chris Jones, Wade Needham and Todd Hopwood will explore the current state and future direction for improving governance of psychosocial safety at work. They will examine the role of organisational leadership in upholding mental health standards and the integration of psychological safety into broader corporate governance frameworks. Chris, Wade and Tom will also discuss emerging trends and challenges in Australia, New Zealand and further abroad. Expect to obtain practical guidance for improving governance of psychosocial risks necessary to foster workplaces that protect and promote worker mental health.
Lunch with Exhibitors
Promoting Psychosocial Safety in the USA
Join Dr. Joe Grasso from Lyra Health as he shares insights on implementing psychosocial safety within his organization. Drawing from first-hand experience, Joe will explore the challenges faced and strategies used to overcome them. He will also discuss how Lyra Health is helping its clients adopt psychosocial safety measures, offering valuable learnings on promoting this critical practice even in the absence of regulatory drivers.
Air New Zealand’s Three-Year Journey to Adopt Psychosocial Safety
Join Liam Scopes from Air New Zealand as he shares insights on the company’s transformative three-year journey to embrace psychosocial safety. Liam will explore the initial challenges faced, the strategies implemented, and the milestones achieved along the way. This session provides a comprehensive look at adopting psychosocial safety within a complex and highly regulated organisation and offers practical advice for others embarking on a similar journey.
Implementing Psychosocial Safety in a Global Manufacturer
Join Jessica Dalton from SunRice as she shares the company’s journey to implement psychosocial safety across its diverse blue-collar workforce. With operations spanning multiple countries and languages, Jessica will explore the unique challenges faced in manufacturing environments and the strategies adopted to embed psychosocial safety. This session provides practical insights on overcoming language barriers, cultural differences, and local regulatory variations to build a practices that protect the mental health of workers.
Case Study Audience Q&A Panel – Day 1
Get your burning questions answered about the real-world applications of psychosocial safety, shared by Dr. Joe Grasso (Lyra Health), Liam Scopes (Air New Zealand), and Jess Dalton (SunRice Group).
Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Jimmy Rees Live on Stage
Jimmy Rees, also known as “Jimmy Giggle,” is a beloved Australian entertainer, comedian, and content creator. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jimmy’s comedic sketches on social media platforms, such as his hilarious Meanwhile in Australia series, skyrocketed in popularity. These sketches poked fun at everyday life, lockdown experiences, and Australian culture, earning him millions of fans and a reputation as one of the country’s funniest and most relatable performers.
Close of Day 1
This video captures the Day 1 closing remarks from PHSCON 2025, led by events chair Liz Payne. It includes a recap of key sessions, attendee reflections, a few laughs, and a preview of Day 2 and the evening social event.
Networking Drinks
Registration Open (Welcome Tea & Coffee)
Welcome to Day 2
Liz Payne, Chairman and Jason van Schie, open Day 2 of PHSCON 2025 with reflections on psychosocial safety, leadership, and the day’s upcoming highlights – including a live podcast with Adam Grant.
Making Work Not Suck – Opportunities for Leaders
Get ready to unpack leading mentally healthy workplaces and learn more about the science of making work not suck, the benefits this has for improving performance and reducing burnout, and the critical role leaders. Join Jason and Joelle for a live podcast recording of the Psych Health and Safety Podcast, as they chat with Adam Grant, organisational psychologist at Wharton, bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcasts WorkLife & Re:Thinking.
Morning Tea with Exhibitors
Inclusive Work Design for Diverse Workplaces
In this conversation, Dr. I. David Daniels and Kanae Dyas will explore the what, why and how of work design for diverse workplaces. They will discuss how organisations can create environments that accommodate a wide range of employee needs and perspectives, fostering equity and belonging. The conversation will highlight strategies for integrating inclusivity into work design, addressing potential barriers, and promoting a culture of respect and collaboration.
Advancing the Positive Duty
This conversation between Dr Anna Cody and Liz Broderick will explore the significant advancements in Australia following the amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act (1984), specifically focusing on the positive duty for sexual harassment prevention. The discussion will highlight the legal and social implications of this change, the challenges organisations face in compliance, and the evolving role of leadership in fostering safer workplaces. By drawing on their extensive expertise, they will provide critical insights into the future of gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment in Australia and advancing the positive duty.
Lunch with Exhibitors
How ATCO Aligned HR with WHS to Implement Psychosocial Safety
Join Emma Harris from ATCO Australia as she shares how ATCO converted a psychosocial safety pilot into an organisation-wide initiative. Emma will share how ATCO navigated integrating their Safety and People & Culture teams, and elevated ownership of their psychosocial safety strategy to the executive. This session provides advice on how to bring Safety and HR together to collaborate and coordinate their efforts to implement a psychosocial safety strategy.
Towards adopting ISO 45003 in a school context
Join Rowena Beale from Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne (PLC) as she shares the school’s five-year journey to embed psychosocial safety. As a medium-sized organisation, PLC has been ahead of the curve compared with similar-sized organisations in building a psychosocial safety strategy that suits their context. This session provides practical insights into barriers and enablers of ISO 45003 adoption in small to medium-sized organisations, including the importance of customising language and systems to meet the needs of operations and workers alike.
Combining HR and WHS Approaches to Psychosocial Safety Investigations
Aligning HR and HSE on psychosocial safety with overlapping responsibilities is imperative in order to achieve desired impacts and protect the mental health of workers. Join Danielle Griffiths from APA Group as she shares some of obstacles to effective collaboration between these functions and how they have been using key processes such as grievance and psychosocial investigations to create better alignment.
Case Study Audience Q&A Panel – Day 2
Get your burning questions answered regarding the examples of psychosocial safety application shared during the industry case studies.
Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
International Panel on the ISO 45003 Standard
This panel session brings together local and international experts to explore the global impact of ISO 45003, the first international standard providing guidelines for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace. The discussion will focus on how organisations across different regions are implementing these guidelines to enhance workplace mental health and safety. Panellists will share insights into best-in-class applications, challenges in adoption, and the cultural nuances that influence the effectiveness of ISO 45003. Gain an understanding of the standard’s role in promoting psychological wellbeing and learn actionable strategies for integrating its principles into your own organisations.
Close of Day 2
Masterclass – Confidence in Complexity: Mastering Psychosocial Risk Management
In this hands-on workshop, Associate Prof. Carlo Caponecchia and Dr. Vanessa Huron from UNSW Sydney, will provide you with the opportunity to observe and practise a back-to-basics approach that organisations of all sizes can incorporate into existing risk management systems.
Following the development of new regulations, many organisations are scrambling for the best way to respond to psychosocial risks in their systems of work. With an abundance of available tools, approaches and advice, it can be overwhelming to identify the appropriate path for your organisational context.
Masterclass – Develop A Psych Health & Safety Framework
This half-day masterclass will support you and your organisation in developing a contemporary framework on embedding sustainable and effective practices for psychological health and safety within organisations.
- Identify key elements of an effective, resource-efficient, and sustainable framework for managing psychosocial risks, aligned with regulatory expectations
- Understand how to operationalise a risk-based approach, utilising available resources, relationships, and common practices
- Morning tea included
- Limited to 100 seats
Masterclass – Convincing The Powers That Be
Join Mary Ann Baynton in her masterclass session to help you reduce or eliminate resistance from decision-makers, whether it’s you, your bosses, or your clients. Safeguarding psychological health at work is essential for success, but not everyone appreciates its importance or prioritises the investment. During this workshop, participants will learn how to:
- Make it relevant – tie the proposed solutions to the organisation’s existing goals and perceived issues
- Make it practical – offer solutions that can be part of day-to-day routines without requiring additional time or processes
- Make it affordable – leverage free, proven strategies to help design
Masterclass – Evidence-Based Practice
Join Prof. Rob Briner for an exclusive masterclass on evidence-based practice. This workshop will introduce participants to evidence-based approaches for addressing mental health issues in the workplace. Attendees will learn to:
- Understand the origins and meaning of evidence-based practice
- Apply evidence-based models to mental health
- Reflect on their own practices and barriers to evidence-based approaches
- Explore practical tools to implement evidence-based practices in their work
VIP Dinner
Experience an initmate evening of networking and luxury at our exclusive VIP Dinner. Enjoy a 5-star, three-course meal, free-flowing drinks, and live entertainment from the brilliant Dilruk Jayasinha. Connect with industry leaders and make meaningful connections over fine dining and laughter.
