5×5 Risk Assessment Matrix

A 5×5 risk assessment matrix is chosen because it looks more rigorous than a smaller grid. Twenty five cells suggest precision the underlying judgement cannot support.

Ask several managers to separate a likelihood of two from a likelihood of three for the same risk and you will get inconsistent answers, because there is nothing objective distinguishing them.

Two things make a 5×5 workable. Defined anchors for every level, in plain words, so likely means something specific rather than something felt. And calibration, where a group rates the same handful of risks together before anyone rates alone.

Without those two things, a 5×5 grid produces the same information a 3×3 would have given you, with more decimal places attached and considerably more argument along the way.

Safe Work Australia covers risk assessment duties. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s risk management system and work health and safety course.