SIRA funded programs to support recovery at work

We have a range of programs to help people manage their mental health in the workplace.

This program helps small employers overcome financial hardship when providing suitable work to help their worker recover at work after a work-related injury or illness.

How does it work?

The insurer provides your employer with an assistance payment of up to $400 per week for a combined total of up to six weeks.

This payment helps to offset the costs of making alternative arrangements to cover your usual duties while you participate in a recover at work plan and build capacity so you can return to your pre-injury duties and hours. For example, your employer might employ a casual staff member or offer overtime to existing staff.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• are receiving weekly payments
• have current work capacity
• use the program within 26 weeks from the date the injury was entered into the insurer's system.

Small employers are eligible if they:

• employ up to 19 full-time (or equivalent) workers
• have a basic premium tariff of $30,000 or less
• hold a current workers compensation policy with an insurer in NSW
• can demonstrate that alternative arrangements have been made to carry out the worker’s pre-injury duties
• can demonstrate it is not reasonably practicable to offer suitable work
• can demonstrate that engaging additional assistance to enable the worker to recover at work will cause financial hardship to the business.

For more information read the Recover at Work Assist for Small Business guidance material, factsheet for employers, and insurers along with frequently asked questions about the program.

How to apply

Speak to the insurer about this program. They will advise whether you and your employer are eligible.

A workplace rehabilitation provider will conduct a workplace assessment and prepare a recovery at work plan in consultation with you, your employer and your doctor.

A member of your support team will:

• complete the vocational program details form
• confirm agreement from the insurer
• arrange payment for the assistance payment using the vocational claim for payment form
• complete the vocational program closure report.

If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Further information

• Recover at Work Assist for Small Business brochure
• Recover at Work Assist for Small Business - FAQs
• Recover at Work Assist for Small Business: Information for employers
• Recover at Work Assist for Small Business guidance material
• Recovery at work - It's just good business
• Vocational program: claim for payment form
• Vocational program: details form
• Vocational program: closure report form
• Workers compensation guide for employers
• Manage workplace safety

The work trial program is a voluntary short-term work arrangement that provides you with suitable work.

When your pre-injury employer is unable to provide suitable work, a work trial places you (the trainee) with a new employer (host employer) for a short-term work arrangement of up to 12 weeks.

As a trainee you can keep active and:

• improve your capacity to return to your pre-injury job, or
• develop skills, knowledge, and experience in order to obtain a new job
• demonstrate your ability to a potential employer.

You don’t receive payment from your host employer during the work trial but you continue to receive weekly payments from the insurer.

The insurer or SIRA will pay for travel to and from the workplace as well as essential equipment to perform your work trial duties.

Read the work trial guidance material for more information.

Also read:

• Work trial program information for workers
• Work trial program information for potential host employers

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• are receiving or entitled to receive weekly workers compensation payments
• have capacity to work but your employer can’t provide suitable duties
• haven’t accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement.

Employers are eligible if they:

• don’t have a workers compensation liability to you
• have no current employer/employee relationship with you
• hold a current workers compensation policy or self-insurer licence
• are not attached to your pre-injury employer by way of an insurance policy or insurance licence.

How to apply

Speak to your workplace rehabilitation provider or other members of your support team about using the work trial program if you can’t return to your job.

They will:

• help you find a work trial host employers and conduct a workplace assessment to match your capacity to the requirements of the job.
• arrange completion of the vocational program details form and the work trial agreement (so you can start the program)
• organise insurer approval
• organise payment for program costs using the vocational claim for payment form
• complete the vocational program closure report form (to record the outcome of the trial)

They should also use the work trial check list.

If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Further information

• Have you been injured at work? app
• Work trial guidelines
• Work trial program information for workers
• Work trial program information for potential host employers
• Vocational program details form
• Work trial agreement
• Work trial checklist
• Vocational program details form
• Vocational claim for payment form
• Vocational program closure report form

This program can be used to purchase equipment or make modifications to help you recover at work or start work with a new employer.

Equipment and workplace modifications can be specific to your functional requirements or necessary for you to start a new role.

Read the equipment and workplace modification program guidance material for more information.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• are receiving or entitled to receive weekly workers compensation payments when the program commences
• haven’t accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement
• have used your entitlement to new employment assistance – if starting work with a new employer.

How to apply

Speak to your workplace rehabilitation provider, or insurer case manager about using the equipment and workplace modification program.

They will:

• determine if this program is suitable for you, can help you with equipment or workplace modifications that meet your needs and can be funded under this program.
• arrange completion of the vocational program details form
• organise insurer approval
• organise payment for program costs using the vocational claim for payment form.

If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Further information

• Education or training assistance benefit
• Equipment and workplace modification program guidance material
• Vocational program details form
• Training program application form
• Vocational claim for payment form

This program can help you develop new skills and qualifications for a different role with your pre-injury employer or start a new job.

What is it?

The training program can be used to pay for the costs associated with completing training with TAFE, a university or registered training organisation.

Costs might include course fees and associated expenses like stationery, textbooks, essential course equipment, travel and accommodation.

Read the training program guidance material for more information.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• are receiving or entitled to receive, weekly workers compensation payments when the program commences
• haven’t accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement
• have used your entitlement to the education or training assistance benefit where eligible

How to apply

Speak to your workplace rehabilitation provider, or insurer case manager about using the training program if you can’t return to your job.

They will:

• determine if this program is suitable for you and help you find training that can be eligible.
• arrange completion of the training program application form (so you can start the program)
• organise insurer approval
• organise payment for program costs using the vocational claim for payment form
• complete the vocational program closure report form (to record the outcome of the program).

If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Further information

• Education or training assistance benefit
• Training program guidance material
• Training program application form
• Vocational claim for payment form
• Vocational program closure report form

This program is designed to help you secure ongoing employment with a new employer.

There are three benefits available to eligible employers to encourage an employer to offer you a job:

• incentive payments of up to $27,400 for up to 12 months
• your wages are not included in the new employer's workers compensation premium for two years
• the new employer is protected against the costs associated with your existing injury during the first two years of your employment.

Incentive payments increase according to the length of time you remain employed:

• up to $400 per week for first 12 weeks (maximum of $4,800)
• up to $500 per week for next 14 weeks (maximum $7,000)
• up to $600 per week for next 26 weeks (maximum $15,600).

Read the fact sheet for workers and employers for more information.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• are receiving or entitled to receive weekly workers compensation payments when the program commences
• can’t return to work with your pre-injury employer because of your injury
• haven’t  accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement.

Employers are eligible if they:

• are able to offer employment to you for a minimum of 12 months
• can provide a minimum of 64 paid hours per month or a return to your pre-injury hours
• hold a current workers compensation policy or self-insurer’s licence.

Read the JobCover placement program guidance material for more information.

How to apply

Speak to your workplace rehabilitation provider, or insurer case manager about using the JobCover placement program.

They will:

• determine if this program is suitable for you and help you find potential host employers and conduct a workplace assessment to match your capacity to the requirements of the job.
• complete the JobCover program agreement form
• organise insurer approval (agreement)
• organise payments using the JobCover incentive payment claim form (for employers).

If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Further information

• JobCover fact sheet for workers and employers
• JobCover placement program guidance material
• JobCover placement program checklist
• JobCover agreement form
• JobCover incentive payment claim form

This program helps pay for immediate or short term costs that might prevent you from starting work with a new employer.

It provides funding of up to:

• $200 to help you job-seek or start work
• $5,000 to address immediate or short term barriers that prevent you from accepting an offer of new employment.

The funding could be used to pay for a range of things including:

• travel costs
• relocation and accommodation
• child care
• clothing and related expenses

Read the transition to work guidance material for more information.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• can’t return to work with your pre-injury employer because of your injury
• have a barrier or need that is preventing you from finding or accepting new employment
• are receiving or are entitled to receive, weekly workers compensation payments or recently stopped weekly payments because you started working
• haven’t accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement.
• have used your entitlement to new employment assistance

How to apply

Speak to your workplace rehabilitation provider, or insurer case manager about using the transition to work program.

They will:

• determine if this program is suitable for you, help you access items that meet your needs and can be funded under this project
• arrange completion of the vocational program details form
• organise insurer approval
• organise payment for program costs using the vocational claim for payment form.

For information on what to do when a request to use a SIRA funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Further information

• New employment assistance
• SIRA transition to work guidance material
• Vocational program claim for payment form
• Vocation program details form

This program is designed to help you secure employment with a new employer.

The JobCover6 provides three benefits to eligible new employers to encourage an employer to offer you a job:

• incentive payments of up to $10,400 for up to 6 months
• exemption of your wages from their workers compensation premium calculation for two years
• protection against the costs of changes to your existing injury for up to two years.

Employer incentive payment

The employer incentive payment is up to $400 per week and is payable over the first 6 months of work up to a maximum amount of $10,400.

You are eligible if you:

• have capacity for work and are looking for new employment.
• are receiving, or are entitled to receive, weekly workers compensation payments under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (1987 Act)
• haven’t accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement.

An employer may be eligible if they:

• have offered employment to you for an agreed period for a minimum of 64 paid hours per month or a return to pre-injury hours. Fewer hours may be considered if it can be demonstrated that the you will progress to meet this requirement within a reasonable timeframe
• hold a current workers compensation policy with an insurer or a self-insurer’s licence

Read the JobCover6 guidance material for more information

How to apply

Speak to your insurer case manager or workplace rehabilitation provider about using the JobCover6 program.

The JobCover6 information for workers and employers can be used to help you with finding an employment opportunity.

They will:

• determine if this program is suitable for you
• help you look for work with a new employer
• arrange a workplace assessment to match your capacity to the requirements of the job
• complete the JobCover program / JobCover6 agreement form
• organise insurer approval (agreement)
• inform your new employer how to claim the incentive payments using the JobCover / JobCover6 incentive payment claim form.

If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.

Connect2work is a voluntary short-term work placement with a host employer. It supports recovery at work for workers where:

• your pre-injury employer is unable to offer suitable work due to or
• you are looking for new employment.

How does it work?

Connect2work places you (the trainee) with a host employer for a voluntary short-term work placement of up to 12 weeks.

The insurer provides the host employer with an assistance payment of $200 per week for a combined total of up to 12 weeks (to a maximum amount of $2,400) to cover any out of pocket expenses to provide you with on the job training and support.

As a trainee you can keep active and continue your recovery through work by enabling you to increase your tasks and capacity for work.

The host employer does not pay you during the placement. If you are entitled, you will continue to receive weekly payments from the insurer during the Connect2work placement.

You will also receive payment for travel to and from the workplace as well as essential equipment to perform the duties.

Read the Connect2work guidance material for more information.

The Hear2Talk mental health phone support service is no longer available. A range of other mental health support services and information is available to help you or someone you know who is having a difficult time.

For any emergency assistance, call 000.

Speak with your General Practitioner (GP)

You can also have a chat to your GP about any mental health challenges. Doctors can provide treatment or refer you to other services for mental health. If you don’t have a regular doctor, you can search for a GP close to you.

If you have a motor crash claim

SIRA’s CTP Assist service can help you if you or a family member have been injured in a motor crash. The team can help you navigate the claims process and understand your entitlements. Contact CTP Assist on 1300 656 919.

If you have a workers compensation claim

If you have been injured at work and have a workers compensation claim, you can contact 13SIRA (13 74 72) to understand your choices, rights, and responsibilities in the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme.