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Immediate financial support

In certain circumstances, you can get early payments before a claim for compensation has been made.

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Immediate financial supports

We understand that you may not be ready to lodge a claim immediately after the death has occurred. The claim process can take some time. During this process, we have immediate support packages to help you financially. We're here to support you where possible throughout this difficult time.

You can access the support package if the following criteria are met.

  • The cause of death of your loved one was related to work duties or employment.
  • Your loved one was determined to be a 'worker' under the Victorian workers compensation legislation at the time of death.

The immediate support package won’t be offered if the cause of death was:

  • a heart attack or stroke injury
  • disease.

The exception is if your loved one had an accepted claim and was receiving compensation payments for that injury or disease.

Types of immediate support payments 

Depending on your circumstances, the following payments may be available.

  • Reasonable costs of medical and like services for the worker prior to their death (such as ambulance, hospital, medical treatment) up to $11,320*.
  • Funeral costs up to $15,230 and repatriation costs, if required, up to $15,000.
  • Counselling, therapy and other support services for immediate family members by a registered or WorkSafe approved health practitioner or professional or other person, up to $10,000** to be shared between all immediate family members.
  • A weekly pension to the worker's partner for a period up to 26 weeks from the date of the worker's death.
  • Reasonable travel and accommodation costs of up to $6,340* to be shared between immediate family members to attend a funeral service which is held more than 100km away.
  • Reasonable costs of forensic cleaning services incurred by immediate family members of a worker who has died at the home of the worker or family member**.

* These amounts apply to deaths that occur on or after 1 July 2025. For amounts before this date, contact the agent or WorkSafe Advisory.

** These amounts apply to deaths that occur on or after 6 August 2025.

How to get these payments

You don’t need to apply or fill out any forms.

The agent will get the information they need to make a payment from you and others (such as the employer of your family member).

If you’re eligible for the payments, the agent will contact you to make payment arrangements.

If a weekly pension is to be paid, the agent will ask you to complete a ‘Tax File Number Declaration’ form and an ‘Electronic Funds Transfer’ form.

Effects of an immediate support payment on a compensation claim

The agent’s decision about an immediate support payment to you will not affect your entitlement to compensation. If you want to claim for compensation following a death, you still need to complete a claim form. It will then be assessed and determined in the usual way by the agent.

If you received a weekly pension through the immediate support package, the same period will not be paid again if your claim for compensation is accepted.

Information and support you might need

WorkSafe Advisory

WorkSafe's advisory service is available between 7:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday.

1800 136 089 More contact options

Translating and interpreting service

Call 131 450 to translate this information or to speak to WorkSafe in your language.

For more information about this free service, visit Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or the National Relay Service.

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