New legislation for Victorian workers suffering from a work-related mental health injury to access provisional payments for early treatment and support while they await the outcome of their claim will come into effect on 1 July 2021.
Under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Provisional Payments) Act 2021 (Provisional Payments Act), Victorian workers making a WorkCover claim for a mental health injury will be eligible for up to 13 weeks of treatment costs, irrespective of whether their claim is ultimately accepted or rejected.
Ensuring access to payments for medical expenses before WorkCover processes a claim, means workers are receiving treatments sooner enabling earlier recovery from their injury.
This new legislation will supersede the provisional pilot program (PPP) which began 1 July 2019 and was extended until 30 June 2022. Under the PPP Victorian public sector nurses and midwives were able to have their reasonable medical and ‘like’ expenses, such as rehabilitation or therapy, honoured from the day they lodge a claim with WorkCover.
To access a provisional payment, you need to submit a WorkCover claim for a mental health injury. You should be contacted by your employer’s WorkCover agent within five days of submitting your claim.
If you are experiencing WorkCover issues, fill in our ANMF Member Assistance form.
