Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness Training Program

The Department of Treasury and Finance is leading this initiative, and the Program applies to relevant State government tenders released from 1 June 2026. The inclusion of the special condition in relevant construction contracts is mandated through General Procurement Direction 2026/01 – Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness Training.

The State agency must include the Special Condition in the contract documentation for all relevant Program Contracts.

If clarification during the tender process is required, the State agency will respond to any queries.

The State agency will monitor the head contractor’s compliance with the Special Condition in Program Contracts.

The State agency may choose to assess the effectiveness of the Program by analysing the data provided by each head contractor, including analysis of the training provider’s workshop feedback surveys and/or other assessment methods.  It is the State agency’s responsibility to request the surveys from the head contractor, if so required.

The head contractor must comply with the Special Condition and make the Program training available to on-site construction workers, including staff of any subcontractors.  

The head contractor must appoint a training provider with the expertise and experience to deliver the training as specified in the Special Condition.

One workshop during each year of the contract is contractually required. However, recognising the importance of reducing suicide in the construction industry, State agencies, and subsequently head contractors, are encouraged to go beyond the minimum contractual requirements by promoting additional training and peer‑support initiatives. In particular, holding more than one workshop per year over the life of the contract is encouraged to ensure a broad spectrum of onsite workers are reached.

The head contractor may determine when the session is held, provided it is within 12 months of the commencement of the contract, and then annually if the contract term exceeds 12 months. This is to ensure that the information is not being deployed to the same trades in each project. 

The workshop must be scheduled during ordinary work hours, and the head contractor must ensure all on-site construction workers are informed of the Program and given reasonable notice of each workshop.

The head contractor is encouraged to promote meaningful workshop participation on-site.  However, worker attendance is voluntary.

During the contract, if requested by the State agency, the head contractor will provide de-identified copies of workshop feedback surveys and/or other assessment methods supplied by the training provider to support evaluation of the Program’s effectiveness. The surveys are intended solely to collect feedback on the Program and are not intended to be used to identify individual mental health or welfare issues, which are managed through the head contractor’s work health and safety framework.

1. Do all State agencies need to include the Special Condition in their construction contracts?

A State agency that tenders for a construction contract valued at $5million (inc. GST) or above and where the contract delivery point is within Western Australia, must include the Special Condition. 

The Program is not mandatory for Government Trading Enterprises (GTEs), but they are encouraged to implement the initiative. 

2. Which construction contracts does the Program apply to?

The Program applies to construction contracts that includes construction work valued at $5 million (inc. GST) or above.  For the purposes of this initiative, the term ‘construction work’ has the meaning given in section 4 of the Construction Contracts (Former Provisions) Act 2024. The Program does not apply to maintenance or service-related contracts.

3. Who pays for the training program?

It is the head contractor’s responsibility to cover all costs associated with the delivery of the training required under the Special Condition.  This includes the training provider’s travel and accommodation expenses. It is anticipated that this cost will be factored into the head contractor’s tendered price. 

4. Is the workshop compulsory for on-site construction workers to attend?

The workshop is not compulsory for on-site construction workers; however, the head contractor is required to:

• inform them that the program is available to them;
• give them reasonable notice of the date and time of the on-site workshop; and 
• give them access to information about the program, including information on how to access mental health support upon completion of the workshop.
   

5. Can a State Agency apply for an exemption?

A State agency may seek an exemption where it does not consider the inclusion of the Special Condition to be appropriate. The exemption request will need to be approved by the Department of Treasury and Finance. Should you wish to seek an exemption, please contact procurementadvice@dtf.wa.gov.au and provide the following information:

• background to the request;
• rationale for the request; and
• estimated total contract value (inc. GST).

Each request for an exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  
Note: Any exemption granted must be recorded in the State agency’s exemption register, as per Rule F4 in the Western Australian Procurement Rules.

6. State agencies and Contractors already have respective obligations under work health and safety legislation. Does mandating this Special Condition interfere with/overlap existing legislation?

Mandating the Program means it becomes a contractual obligation to provide on-site construction workers with access to appropriate information and support for their mental health and suicide prevention.  It does not supersede or override any existing legislative health and safety requirements of the head contractor, any subcontractors or individuals.