Injured workers in Victoria could be supported through their recovery and return to work via new WorkSafe grants.
The grant program is being made accessible through Return to Work Victoria’s Innovations program with a $50 million investment. The investment is targeted towards helping injured workers get back to work sooner.
Return to Work Victoria executive director Jason Lardelli said collaboration was needed to capture knowledge and insights that will help injured workers re-enter the workforce and get back to their normal lives sooner.
“To help drive the improvements we need for injured workers, we need to bring new thinking, new ideas and new solutions to the table,” he said. “We know that we can’t do this alone.”
“Injured workers deserve a positive and speedy recovery, which is not only beneficial for the worker, but also for the people they love, their community, our business and workplaces.”
According to WorkSafe Victoria, data shows only 40 per cent returning to work within the first six months of a claim, compared to 73 per cent for physical injuries.
Grants valued at up to $500,000 are now available for new initiatives and programs targeting early intervention for mental injuries within the first 26 weeks of submitting a claim.
Employers, self-insurers, unions and industry groups in the following industries are able to apply for the initial round of grant funding:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Education and training
- Transport, postal and warehousing
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Public administration and safety
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Retail trade
- Wholesale trade
- Administrative and support services
Grant applications are now open and can be submitted online until Monday 28 April 2025.
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