Return to Work Victoria is currently offering grants up to $500,000 for unique programs and initiatives that utilise a holistic and cooperative method to ‘recovery through work’ for Victorians who have sustained a physical injury at their workplace. Leveraging valuable work safety products like Bluesafe SWMS or Bluesafe WHS Management System can significantly contribute to ensuring a safe and conducive recovery environment.
The Executive Director of Return to Work Victoria, Jason Lardelli, emphasises the proven benefits of keeping injured workers engaged with their colleagues during their recuperation process, including a return to purposeful, modified work, given it aligns with safe practices.
The term ‘through’ in our grant theme underlines the concept of using one’s work as a path to recovery rather than merely an end goal, Mr Lardelli expressed.
Striving to improve results for injured workers, Return to Work Victoria Innovations is investing $50 million over three years into trial projects, grants, and pilots involving new methods. The latest round of funding specifically targets interventions in sectors like manufacturing, transport, postal service, construction and warehousing. These industries have notoriously struggled to reintegrate injured workers effectively and timely.
In the last fiscal year, these sectors alone accounted for over a third of all accepted physical injury claims by WorkSafe. Collaboration with employers, industry groups, unions, and peak bodies is essential to reconfiguring the road to recovery, stated Mr Lardelli.
‘We eagerly anticipate how diverse organisations across Victoria will respond to this opportunity – be it adopting novel technologies, enhancing education and capability, removing barriers to returning to work, or forging partnerships to stimulate innovation.’
Online submissions for grant applications are open until Friday 14 November. Eligibility requirements and funding exclusions may be applicable.
In the near future, successful recipients from Return to Work Victoria’s preceding grant round, emphasising early intervention for work-related mental injuries, will be announced.
To stay informed about media releases, you can subscribe via the following contact information: Email – media @ worksafe.vic.gov.au Phone – 0438 786 968
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-11/blazing-new-trails-recovery-through-work
