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VIC WorkSafe Grants Program – Worker Consultation Grant Round 2026–27

VIC WorkSafe Grants Program – Worker Consultation Grant Round 2026–27

  • Maximum funding: Up to $300,000 per project
  • Minimum funding: $10,000
  • Funding agreement required prior to project commencement
  • Applications close: 6 September 2026

The 2026–27 WorkSafe Grant Funding Round supports innovative worker consultation initiatives that strengthen workplace health and safety outcomes across Victoria. The program focuses on reinforcing worker consultation as a foundational mechanism for preventing workplace harm and increasing awareness of the role of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and effective consultation practices.

Key Requirements

Projects must support worker consultation and deliver measurable occupational health and safety outcomes. Funding priorities include:

Worker consultation and HSR capability

  • Demonstrating the impact of effective workplace consultation and worker representation.
  • Promoting and supporting the role of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).
  • Improving awareness of consultation rights, responsibilities and mechanisms.
  • Encouraging stronger consultation cultures across Victorian workplaces.

Industry consultation and engagement

  • New consultation models that expand worker representation.
  • Peer support initiatives and workplace consultation networks.
  • Industry-wide engagement programs and communities of practice.
  • Sustainable consultation arrangements beyond a single workplace.

Training and education

  • Industry-specific consultation training resources.
  • Worker consultation education materials.
  • Employer education regarding obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Consultation and HSR-related curriculum development.

Research, evidence and innovation

  • Research into worker consultation and representation.
  • Collection of evidence, insights and data on consultation effectiveness.
  • Evaluation of innovative prevention interventions.
  • New approaches that improve occupational health and safety outcomes through representation.

Funding principles

Applications must address all WorkSafe funding principles:

  • Reducing workplace harm.
  • Creating systems-level change.
  • Encouraging innovation.
  • Working in partnership.
  • Working with experts.
  • Sustainability.
  • Evidence-based implementation and evaluation.

What is eligible for funding?

  • Worker consultation initiatives.
  • Health and Safety Representative programs.
  • Consultation capability and leadership development.
  • Consultation training and education.
  • Industry consultation networks and peer support activities.
  • Research and evidence-gathering projects relating to worker consultation.
  • Knowledge-sharing and collaboration projects.
  • Innovative approaches that improve consultation and safety outcomes.

Projects must impact the health, safety and wellbeing of Victorian workers and demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant funding period.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Applicants must:

  • Hold an ABN and be registered for GST.
  • Demonstrate financial capability.
  • Demonstrate expertise, resources and capacity to manage the project.
  • Maintain appropriate insurance.
  • Impact Victorian workers.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Community groups.
  • Local organisations.
  • Employers.
  • Representative groups of employers.
  • Representative groups of employees.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.