News | 29 April

Victorian workers recovering from injury will be supported to return to work safely through a new agency set up by the State Government.

Return to Work Victoria focuses on promoting effective occupational rehabilitation of injured workers, encouraging employers to provide suitable job opportunities for workers who have been injured, and identifying innovative injury prevention and return to work strategies.

Civil construction is among the high-risk industry sectors for workplace safety incidents with the top tradie groups injured being labourers (44 per cent) and plant / machinery / transport workers (22.1 per cent), according to WorkSafe Victoria.

Return to Work Victoria will create and trial new programs and initiatives to improve return to work outcomes, with an initial program budget of $50 million for its first three years. An annual review will evaluate pilot programs to ensure they are delivering outcomes for workers and value for money.

The pilot programs include a worker support hotline where workers can access mental health support for work-related stress and burnout, and an initiative that will provide small and medium sized businesses with tailored support to build mentally healthy workplaces.

WorkSafe’s claims management, recovery and return to work functions will be centralised in Return to Work Victoria, enabling WorkSafe to better target support and interventions.

A Return to Work Advisory Committee will also be established to provide advice to the WorkSafe Victoria Board on return to work initiatives.

“These changes mean Victorian workers will continue to get the help they need, when they need it, support for workers that’s focused on injury recovery and helping people return to work safely while also making sure employers get the right support to keep their workers safe,” WorkSafe and TAC Minister Danny Pearson said.

Hear from Minister Danny Pearson and TAC CEO Tracey Slatter at our June Infrastructure Luncheon. Book your tickets today:
Infrastructure Luncheon

Latest News