Helping Victorians get back to work

You are eligible for WISE if:

• you can't return to work with your pre-injury employer, as agreed with your authorised WorkSafe agent
• you currently receive weekly benefits
• the potential new job is for at least 8 hours a week with a new employer, in an ongoing role
• the proposed work is not self-employment, an apprenticeship or for a labour hire employer
• employment is not with a company where you are a board member or director

You should let your new employer know about the injury and contact your original WorkSafe agent.

The agent will decide whether the injury is related to your original claim. If it’s a new injury they may ask for a new WorkSafe claim to be lodged.

Some employers might be nervous about the possibility of you sustaining a new injury.

You can explain to the WISE employer that their WorkCover insurance premium won’t change if you sustain a new or recurring injury in the first 2 years after the WISE employment start date.

More information for employers

Returning to work with a new employer might involve some costs for appropriate clothes, uniform, and initial travel or parking costs.

The Worker Assistance Scheme (WAS) helps to offset some of these initial personal expenses, by giving you $205 (indexed annually) to help buy items needed for your new job.

You may be eligible for a WAS payment if you:

• accept a job that offers at least 8 hours of work a week with a new employer
• are participating in the occupational rehabilitation service New Employer Services

Complete the WAS application form and send or email it directly to your WorkSafe agent. Your occupational rehabilitation provider can also help.

Worker assistance scheme payment form

Your WorkSafe agent will check your eligibility then pay you directly.

You can access WAS payments up to 5 times per claim. This means you can access it each time you start working with a new employer, up to 5 times.

WAS shouldn't be used to buy items employers are obliged to supply to staff or the workplace.