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Provisional payments

Better support for mental injuries.

Support for mental injuries

Workers with a mental injury claim can access early treatment and support when they need it most.

Provisional payments: John's story

How provisional payments help

Provisional payments help support people with recovery and return to work regardless of claim outcome.

They also help workers with a mental injury get the right support, which is important for getting back on track.

Getting treatment early gives workers the best chance of a full recovery. It can also help prevent an injury from getting worse.

Workers and eligible volunteers can access provisional payments for reasonable treatment and services for work-related mental injuries, while they wait for a claim outcome. If a claim is not accepted, a worker or eligible volunteer can continue to receive provisional payments for up to 13 weeks.

Provisional payments eligibility

A worker can receive provisional payments for up to 13 weeks if their claims form or certificate of capacity shows a mental injury.

Additionally, the following criteria have to be met.

  • No previous claim was accepted for the same injury and circumstances.
  • The worker's employment is connected to Victoria.
  • The claim is being lodged on the worker's employer.

Mental injury eligibility

There have been changes to eligibility for mental injuries incurred on or after 31 March 2024.

To be eligible for compensation, a mental injury must:

  • cause significant behavioural, cognitive or psychological dysfunction
  • have been diagnosed by a medical practitioner using the latest version of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • be predominantly caused by employment

A mental injury is ineligible for compensation if it is:

  • largely from stress or burnout as a result of events that are usual or typical and reasonably expected to occur in the course of the worker's duties
  • caused by reasonable management action carried out in a reasonable manner.

More information may be needed to determine claims entitlement. During this time workers can receive provisional payments to support their treatment and recovery.

Support for mental injuries

Victorian workers who suffer from a mental injury can access early treatment and support. Learn more about where you can go for support and how to find out further information.

Resources for workers

We want to support you to take care of your mental health. You can learn more about your entitlements and find the right support for your recovery and wellbeing.

Worker's injury claim form  

This form is for injured workers to submit a work-related injury claim.

Provisional payments worker flowchart  

A step by step approach to access better support for mental injury.

Provisional payments: Fact sheet for workers  

Translated in five languages.

Types of WorkCover compensation  

Information about your entitlement to different types of compensation.

Mental injury support  

Your mental health is important and we want to make sure you get the support you need.

Having a mentally healthy workplace

Having a mentally healthy workplace benefits everyone. Early treatment and support for a mental injury means a better recovery and faster return to work

Resources for employers

Employers have an obligation to provide early notification of mental injury claims. If you are an employer, learn more about your duties and what support is available to help your worker return to work.

Provisional payments information for employers  

Workers with a work-related mental injury can access early treatment and support while they await the outcome of their claim.

Employer injury claim report  

This report is for the employer to complete and submit to their WorkSafe agent.

Provisional payments employer flowchart  

This flowchart steps you through the process of how to support a worker with a mental injury claim.

Provisional payments: Fact sheet for employers  

How employers can support a worker while they await the outcome of their mental injury claim.

Information for injured workers: Getting help with your mental health  

Translated in five languages.

Planning your worker's return to work  

Get on the front foot. Help your worker return to work after an injury.

WorkWell Toolkit  

A step-by-step approach to prevent mental injuries and promote safe and mentally healthy workplaces.

Resources for healthcare providers

There are additional services, resources and tools for healthcare providers to support patients with a mental injury.

Provider information  

Policies and information for medical, health and other services that provide treatment to injured workers.

Provisional payments healthcare provider flowchart  

A step by step approach to provide better support for mental injury.

Provisional payments: Fact sheet for healthcare providers  

How providers can support a worker while they await the outcome of their mental injury claim.

Mental health injury support - General Practitioner questions  

This guide lists questions you could ask the doctor to help understand your treatment

Mental health injury support - Psychologist questions  

This guide lists questions you could ask the psychologist to help understand your treatment.

Next steps

Claims  

Information and support during the claims process, recovery after a work-related injury, and returning to work.

Return to work  

Information for employers and workers involved in the return to work process after a work-related illness or injury.

WorkWell  

Prevent mental injury and promote a mentally healthy workplace with resources, funding and networking.