The role, which is similar to models in other states, will run training and education sessions for workplaces across Canberra, including the public service, to help fight burn-out, bullying and occupational violence.

While the officer will not have any direct audit or oversight power, those who do - WorkSafe inspectors - will also receive training and access to ongoing mentoring around psychological hazards.

Minister for Employment Rachel Stephen-Smith said the position recognised the new challenges facing workers in today's rapidly evolving labour market.

Research published earlier this year found mental illness was now the leading cause of long-term sickness absence among Australian workers, as calls grow for business to make mental health needs a top priority.

The ACT's new officer will visit different workplaces across a wide range of industries, including the ACT's own directorates, in the coming months.

"Once [they have] collected more information and data from these visits, they will be able to prioritise which workplaces and industries to focus on first," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

Both staff and employers benefited from a focus on wellbeing, she said, as productivity shot up and absenteeism tapered off.

ACT Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said all workplaces had a legal obligation to provide a healthy environment for staff.

The officer will sit within WorkSafe, which is still part of Access Canberra almost a year after an independent report recommended the watchdog be split from government.

A spokeswoman for the minister said changes to the structure of WorkSafe to ensure its independence were under way.

The report, conducted by the Nous Group after calls from unions for an overhaul, also found the agency lacked the resources it needed and called for more education and engagement as well as enforcement.

It noted a push in the sector for WorkSafe ACT to broaden its focus beyond construction and physical injury to psychological hazards.

Canberra Business Chamber told investigators a strategy addressing mental health in young people was especially urgent.

While the ACT had accepted all the report's recommendations in principle, the roll-out had no set timeline, the government spokeswoman said. The new role was not part of those reforms.

Chief executive of Master Bulders ACT Michael Hopkins welcomed the new mental health officer on Friday, saying it would help guide employers as they navigated the often complex health issue.

"Leading employers understand the productivity benefits gained from having employees with strong physical and mental health," he said.