Return to Work Innovation Trials

• Applicants must target at least one priority industry or the priority cohort
• Priority industries are Manufacturing (food product, wood product, fabricated metal product, machinery and equipment), Construction (building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction, construction services) and Health Care and Social Assistance (hospitals, medical and other health care services, residential care services, social assistance services)
• The priority cohort is workers from multicultural communities, which must target the Manufacturing, Construction or Health Care and Social Assistance divisions

Consortium requirements

• Applicants must establish a consortium to co-design, deliver and evaluate their initiative
• The consortium must include the lead applicant or Trial Owner, an independent evaluation partner, industry or sector bodies, union representation and relevant subject matter experts
• The lead organisation must lead the Trial and cannot auspice another lead organisation
• Successful applicants have 30 days post contract execution to finalise consortium partners
• A fit-for-purpose governance structure must be established to oversee the Trial

Investment principles

• Innovation: novel methods, services or processes that improve recovery and return to work
• Evidence based: grounded in research, data or theory supporting potential effectiveness
• Potential for scaling: can be expanded across industries, cohorts and Victorian locations
• Capability building and knowledge sharing: builds capability by sharing findings and best practice
• Inclusive and accessible: removes barriers and supports equitable access for all workers

Delivery and compliance requirements

• Applicants and partnering organisations may be based in other jurisdictions, however delivery must be within Victoria exclusively for the benefit of Victorian workers
• Applicants must be registered for GST and hold an ABN
• Appropriate insurance must be maintained or obtained, including public liability, cyber or product liability
• An independent external evaluation partner must be appointed
• A project management plan is required within 60 days post contract execution, with an evaluation plan required at the end of the design phase

Full detail on consortium expectations, phases, evaluation obligations and assessment is available in the Return to Work Innovation Trials guidelines.