Return to Work Victoria
Information about Return to Work Victoria and the innovation programs to improve return to work outcomes.
Overview
Return to Work Victoria has been set up to find new ways to support workers and employers, and to help injured Victorians recover and get back to work safely.
Getting back to work after an injury can be hard, particularly for mental injuries. Only 40% of workers with a mental injury are back at work within six months. This is compared to 73% of workers with a physical injury.
Return to Work Victoria will support injured workers to reduce the adverse health and social impacts associated with being disconnected from work long term.
Getting workers back to work after an injury can be beneficial for a worker's health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally.
The sooner a worker returns to work, the better their chances are of returning to normal life. This can bring about financial independence, increased self-esteem, improved physical functioning, and better mental health. Returning to work is good for the worker, for the people they love, for businesses and for workplaces.
WorkSafe has committed $50 million to exploring new and innovative solutions to enhance return to work outcomes for Victorian workers and employers. To achieve this, the Return to Work Innovations unit will partner with external providers to create and trial new programs and initiatives.
Return to Work Innovations
Programs of work
Return to Work Innovations will trial new programs and initiatives with input from unions and employer groups, together with mental health and occupational health experts. An annual review will evaluate pilot programs to make certain they are delivering outcomes for workers and value for money.
Two pilot programs will commence in 2025
The first two opportunities for partnership with Return to Work Victoria will be pilot programs starting in 2025.
Worker mental health support helpline
WorkSafe has commenced a public tender process to appoint a suitably qualified provider to deliver this pilot program.
The Worker Mental Health Support Helpline will provide small and medium sized Victorian businesses with counselling services similar to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Workers will be able to access mental health support for issues of work related stress and burnout. The aim of the program is to avoid the development of a mental health condition that might need medical treatment and/or time off work.
Pilot timeline
Request for information.
Request for tenders are now open and will close at 2pm on Tuesday 22 October.
Evaluation.
Contracts finalised.
Provider onboarding.
Services available.
Mentally healthy workplaces
WorkSafe has commenced a public tender process to appoint a suitably qualified provider to deliver this pilot program.
The provider will deliver consulting services to small and medium sized businesses across Victoria. The pilot program will help employers adopt practices to create a mentally healthy workplace and reduce the risk of mental injuries.
The pilot aims to increase mental health awareness and build capability of small and medium sized businesses in Victoria through assisting them to:
- identify psychosocial risks and hazards within their workplace
- manage identified risks and hazards through analysis and mental health safety action planning
- monitor and control risks and hazards by providing guidance, tools and resources
Pilot timeline
Request for information.
Request for tenders are now open and will close at 2pm on Wednesday 6 November.
Evaluation.
Contracts finalised.
Provider onboarding.
Services available.
Open tenders
Future projects
Return to Work Innovations will launch a new grants program. Applications will open in 2025.
Return to Work Victoria will continue to provide more information on future programs of work on this page.
Return to Work Innovations team
If you have any questions or would like to receive updates about Return to Work Innovation projects, you can email our team.