Counselling and other grief supports

Understanding grief

After the death of a loved one you will feel a lot of difficult emotions. Your experience of your loss will probably change over time. You might experience physical as well as emotional reactions when you are grieving. Everyone experiences grief differently and some people might need more support than others.

Funded supports

When your claim has been accepted, you and your loved one’s immediate family members can access grief counselling. If the death occurred after 6 August 2025 WorkSafe can also fund therapy and other support services.

We can pay up to a maximum amount, defined in the legislation, which is shared between all immediate family members.

An immediate family member is considered a partner or spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child or child of a partner/spouse.

Connecting you to a grief and support provider

When you are ready, there are 3 simple ways to connect with a grief and support provider.

1. Speak with your healthcare practitioner to discuss your needs. If you don't have a preference, your healthcare practitioner can help you find the right support provider. They can also discuss and set up a mental health care plan if you need it.
2. Contact your agent to discuss how to access support. If you don’t know who the agent is, contact WorkSafe Advisory.
3. Make an appointment yourself for counselling, therapy and other support services.

Grief counselling must be provided by a medical practitioner, psychologist or social worker registered with WorkSafe. If you’re eligible for therapy and other support services, they must be provided by a WorkSafe approved provider or professional.

Ask your provider if they are registered with WorkSafe. If they aren’t, they can contact WorkSafe Advisory to get registered.

There are several other agencies that provide grief counselling in Victoria. Your healthcare practitioner may also be able to refer you to a counsellor, psychologist, social worker or other healthcare practitioner or professional that can provide a Medicare rebate.

Alternatives to grief counselling support

Your agent or WorkSafe’s family liaison officer (FLO) will offer you support from a Bereavement Support Worker when they make initial contact.

Their primary role is to provide non-clinical emotional and practical support.

This support includes:

• developing  an individually tailored plan
• helping you navigate through government and non-government systems
• becoming a central point of contact complementing the roles of the agent and FLO.

If you don't want to access counselling and other grief supports, there are alternatives that can help. These can be support groups or online services. Your healthcare practitioner can help you identify your needs.