Guidelines and Licensing for Using COPSOQ

COPSOQ is an internationally recognised resource. These guidelines and licensing terms support its consistent and responsible application in Australia, ensuring reliable results, protection of participant confidentiality and meaningful comparison across workplaces, consultants and researchers.

COPSOQ Australia ensures that workplaces, whether in the private or public sector, are assessed with the same standard

Guidelines for using COPSOQ in workplaces

To protect the integrity of COPSOQ and ensure results are meaningful, all users should follow these core principles when applying the tool in workplaces:

Purpose
COPSOQ is designed for psychosocial risk assessment and organisational development. Results are not a “grade” but a basis for dialogue and a tool to improve workplace conditions.

Involvement
Successful use requires engagement from employees, managers and representatives. Solutions should be co-created and integrated into broader organisational development.

Anonymity & Privacy
Participation must always be voluntary. Anonymity must be strictly maintained and all data collection and reporting must comply with legal and ethical standards.

Non-Modification
COPSOQ should always be used in its validated national form to ensure reliable results. The validated national version should be used without altering the questions, formulations or dimensions.

Act & Follow Up
COPSOQ works best when results are acted on and revisited over time. Where changes are made, a follow-up survey 1–2 years later is recommended to evaluate progress.

Licence Terms
Use of COPSOQ must comply with the licence terms below.

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“COPSOQ is an internationally recognised research instrument and remains available for academic and research use globally. In Australia, its application for workplace assessment and benchmarking is implemented through the COPSOQ AU framework to ensure results are reliable, comparable and aligned with WHS requirements”

Licensing Terms

COPSOQ is an internationally recognised research instrument and remains available for academic and research use globally.

In Australia, its application for workplace assessment and benchmarking is implemented through the COPSOQ AU framework, which ensures the instrument is used in a standardised manner and that results are comparable across organisations and industries.

Use of COPSOQ outside this framework may not produce results that are comparable to Australian benchmarks and may not align with standardised implementation requirements.