Mental health industry trial grants

Proudly supporting interventions for better workplace mental health.

New funding opportunity – now open!

Can you lead a consortium of partners to make a positive impact in your industry? This is your chance to help reduce workplace mental injuries and lead meaningful change where it’s needed most.

WorkSafe is seeking to fund Mental health industry trials of up to $1.76 million each, to be delivered over 3 years.

Grant applications are now open until 10:00am Tuesday 24 June, 2025.

Apply now

Information session recording

Hear particiapnt questions and responses from the WorkWell team, from the information session on Monday 12 May.

About WorkWell

WorkWell is a prevention program.

Our mission is to influence positive change in mental health within Victorian workplaces. We do this by investing in partnerships, tools and resources for sustainable systems-level change.

About the Industry trials

The Industry trials deliver on Recommendation 16(2) from the Royal commission into Victoria’s mental health system.
The Industry trials will support WorkSafe to deliver on its strategic imperatives.
The Industry trials are a competitive grant opportunity.
There will be a single funding round available for the Industry trials.
Applications will be accepted for large-scale projects seeking up to $1.76 million over 3 years.
Each Industry trial will comprise a lead organisation (grant applicant), and a consortium of subject matter experts including an external evaluation partner, industry or sector bodies and union representations.

Target industries

The Industry trials will strategically target industries with the highest mental injury claims.

We’ve identified eligible subdivisions within the target industries, to focus on areas where we can make the most difference.

Applicants are required to target one or more of the following industries:

Industry division	Industry subdivisions
Division: C – Manufacturing	11 – Food product manufacturing
Division: E – Construction	30 – Building construction 31 – Heavy and civil engineering construction 32 – Construction services
Division: O – Public administration and safety	75 – Public administration 77 – Public order, safety and regulatory services
Division: P – Education and training	80 – Preschool and school education
Division: Q – Healthcare and social assistance	84 – Hospitals 85 – Medical and other healthcare services 86 – Residential care services 87 – Social assistance services

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
Target an industry subdivision or subdivisions within the priority industry divisions (refer to table above). These are classified using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification.
The applicant and partnering organisations may be based in other states; however, the Industry trial must be delivered in Victoria to benefit Victorian workers.
The applicant organisation must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) and have an Australian business number (ABN). 
Applications must demonstrate they will deliver changes in Victorian workplaces that exceed compliance obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 2004.
Exclusion criteria
The following organisations are excluded from applying:
Victorian government departments are excluded from applying. This does not prevent Victorian government departments from participating as non-financial partners.
ComCare insured organisations are excluded from applying. ComCare insured organisations are defined as a non-WorkCover employer under Section 413 of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation (WIRC) Act 2013.
Sole traders are excluded from applying. This does not prevent sole traders from being engaged in the delivery of the Industry trials. 
Applications which include the following will be excluded
Projects that use funds to develop a proposal, product or start-up business.
Projects that have already commenced or will commence prior to the grants being awarded.
Projects that use the funding to provide grants to workplaces or individuals.
Projects delivered on a for-profit basis.
Projects deemed to be unethical in their design or delivery.
Projects that use funding for theoretical research rather than applied research; with the exception of literature reviews that have a direct applied impact on the workforce decisions relating to the project delivery.
Projects that use funds for operations or activities which are considered business as usual.
The organisation applying must lead the industry trial project and not auspice another lead organisation.

Applications close 10am Tuesday 24 June, 2025.

Apply now

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Mental health industry trial grants

New funding opportunity – now open!

Mental health industry trials - Grant funding agreement (PDF)

Mental health industry trials - Grant guidelines (PDF)

Mental health industry trials - Grant frequently asked questions (PDF)

Information session recording

About WorkWell

About the Industry trials

Target industries

Eligibility requirements

Exclusion criteria

Applications which include the following will be excluded

Subscribe to WorkWell

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