Research and Partnerships
COPSOQ AU works with universities, industry bodies, unions and government agencies to deliver large-scale insights into psychosocial working conditions. These partnerships extend the reach of COPSOQ beyond individual workplaces, building sector-wide knowledge and shaping policy.
Partnership Models
How we collaborate
Together with partners, we:.
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When developing large-scale projects, we work closely with partners to frame the survey scope, adapt language for specific workforces and ensure alignment with WHS and workforce requirements.
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Surveys can be rolled out across entire sectors or workforce groups, either online or paper-based, with strict anonymity safeguards. We provide resources for recruitment, reminders, and support to achieve strong response rates.
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Findings are compared to both Australian and international COPSOQ reference values. This allows sectors to understand their position relative to peers and global best practice in psychosocial risk management.
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We prepare clear, accessible outputs, from detailed reports with statistical analysis to short policy briefs, tailored for leadership, unions or government. These highlight strengths, risks and practical implications for workforce health and wellbeing.
Outcomes & Impact
What partnerships achieve
Our projects deliver:
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Partnership projects provide a sector-wide view of risks and strengths across a sector or workforce, helping identify priority areas for intervention and resource allocation.
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Results support policy development by showing where psychosocial risks are most acute and which protective factors matter most. This creates an evidence base for WHS standards and enforcement.
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By collaborating with national international COPSOQ networks, projects can compare conditions across borders and industries, supporting global learning about safe, healthy work.
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Partnership outcomes often include tailored resources (e.g., frameworks, toolkits, workshops) that make findings actionable for stakeholders, workers and employers.
Types of partnerships
Research collaborations — Joint studies with academic institutions to explore psychosocial working conditions, evaluate interventions, or contribute to comparative international projects.
Industry projects — Sector-wide initiatives with associations, unions, or peak bodies to map risks, identify protective factors, and support workforce-wide wellbeing strategies.
Policy collaborations — Work with government agencies to embed psychosocial risk assessment in WHS frameworks, develop benchmarks and inform regulatory guidance.
Key benefits
Access to validated, internationally comparable instruments.
Contribution to national and global datasets on psychosocial work conditions.
Stronger influence on WHS policy and workforce wellbeing.
Visible commitment to safe and healthy work environments.