Dealing With Psychosocial Hazards as an Apprentice
An apprenticeship can be a lot, especially in the beginning.
You’re in a new environment, with new people, feeling the pressure to prove yourself; all while learning new skills and building a career.
And like anything worth doing, it’s not always easy. Challenges come up, both big and small. What matters is knowing how to spot them and deal with them.
One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is psychosocial hazards.
What is a Psychosocial Hazard? Anything at work that can affect your mental health and wellbeing. Things like stress, pressure, or how you’re treated on the job. They’re not always as obvious as physical dangers, but they’re just as real.
Examples can include being constantly yelled at, being expected to rush jobs unsafely, being excluded or ignored, last-minute changes with no notice, consistently being given the worst tasks. These things can knock your confidence, hurt your focus, and even create safety risks on site. Left unchecked, they can lead to burnout, anxiety, and make it harder to learn and do your job properly.
Steps you can take to resolve these hazards in your workplace.
- Speak up early – if something feels off, raise it with your supervisor or a trusted tradie
- Ask questions – you’re there to learn, not to guess and get blamed for it
- Write things down – keep a record of incidents (dates, what happened, who was involved)
- Don’t normalise bad behaviour – being treated poorly isn’t “just part of the job”
- Talk to your health and safety rep (HSR) – if there’s one on site, they’re there to help
- Stay connected – check in with mates, family, or other apprentices
- Know your rights – you’re entitled to proper training, respect, and a safe workplace
- Join your union – unions can back you up, give advice, and step in if things escalate
- Use your training provider – talk to your TAFE or your RTO teacher who can support you if work issues affect your learning
- Escalate if needed – use your workplace complaints processes if they’re available to you
- Look after yourself – rest, take breaks, and don’t ignore stress building up
These steps help you stay in control, protect your wellbeing, and make sure issues don’t get brushed aside.
Apprentices have support options
We know an apprenticeship is about setting yourself up for the long term, not just getting through each shift. Asking for support is a strength – so here’s where you can go for advice, guidance, or a confidential chat if things don’t seem right:
Free counselling and coaching
Need to vent? Apprentices and trainees can access free, confidential counselling and coaching - no referral needed.
Apprentice Helpdesk
The Apprentice Helpdesk provides information, guidance and support for questions or concerns about apprenticeships or traineeships in Victoria.
Apprenticeship Support Officers
Apprenticeship Support Officers (ASOs) help apprentices get the most out of the apprenticeship system. They can advise on a range of matters, including wages, training, safety and wellbeing.
Young Workers Centre
The Young Workers Centre is an accredited community legal centre in Victoria. We provide free advice and representation to young people under the age of 30 with employment law issues.