Call for WorkSafe – Worker Consultation Grant Round 2026–27 (Australia)

Deadline: 06-Sep-2026

The WorkSafe Worker Consultation Grants Program 2026–27 provides grants of $10,000 to $300,000 for innovative projects that improve workplace health and safety outcomes through stronger worker consultation and representation in Victoria. Eligible organisations can develop initiatives that strengthen Health and Safety Representative (HSR) capability, improve consultation practices, build industry networks, create training resources, or generate evidence on effective worker participation. What Is the WorkSafe Worker Consultation Grants Program? The WorkSafe Worker Consultation Grants Program supports projects that improve how Victorian workers participate in workplace health and safety decision-making. The 2026–27 program focuses on strengthening worker consultation, representation, engagement, and Health and Safety Representative capability. Projects should deliver practical and measurable improvements in occupational health and safety (OHS) outcomes and create benefits that continue beyond the grant funding period. What Are the Objectives of the Grant? The program aims to strengthen workplace consultation as an important part of preventing workplace harm.

Funded projects are expected to:

- Improve worker participation in workplace health and safety. - Strengthen the knowledge and capability of Health and Safety Representatives. - Promote effective consultation between workers and employers. - Encourage innovation in workplace health and safety practices. - Support collaboration across industries. - Build peer support and professional networks. - Develop useful industry-specific education and training resources. - Generate research and evidence about effective worker consultation. - Produce sustainable improvements beyond the grant period. What Is Worker Consultation? Worker consultation is the process through which employers and workers communicate and cooperate on workplace health and safety matters. Effective consultation allows workers to contribute their knowledge and experience when identifying hazards, assessing risks, developing controls, and improving safety systems. Health and Safety Representatives can play an important role by representing workers and supporting communication about workplace health and safety issues. What Is a Health and Safety Representative? A Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is a worker who represents the health and safety interests of workers in their designated work group. HSRs can contribute to safer workplaces by helping identify hazards, raising concerns, participating in consultation, and supporting communication between workers and employers. The grant program therefore places particular emphasis on projects that strengthen HSR capability and demonstrate the value of effective worker representation. What Projects Can Be Funded? Projects should align with the program’s objectives and demonstrate a clear connection to improved workplace health and safety.

Potential areas of focus include:

- HSR training and capability development. - Innovative worker consultation models. - Workplace engagement initiatives. - Industry-wide consultation programs. - Peer support networks for HSRs. - Industry-specific training materials. - Worker education and communication resources. - Research into consultation effectiveness. - Evidence-gathering and evaluation. - Initiatives that demonstrate measurable OHS improvements. Projects should explain how their activities will lead to meaningful improvements rather than simply describing planned activities. How Much Funding Is Available?

The program provides grants ranging from:

- Minimum grant: $10,000

- Maximum grant: $300,000

The amount requested should be appropriate to the scale, complexity, activities, and expected outcomes of the proposed project. A funding agreement must be completed before the funded project begins. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants must meet the program’s organisational and financial requirements.

Applicants must:

- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN). - Be registered for GST. - Demonstrate appropriate financial management capability. - Demonstrate project management capability. - Maintain appropriate insurance. - Deliver benefits or impact for Victorian workers.

Eligible applicant types include:

- Community groups. - Local organisations. - Employers. - Employer representative groups. - Employee representative groups. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to manage the proposed project and deliver measurable outcomes for Victorian workers. Why Does This Grant Matter? Workplace health and safety depends not only on policies and procedures but also on meaningful participation by workers. Workers often have direct knowledge of workplace hazards and practical experience with existing safety systems. Effective consultation can therefore help employers identify risks and develop controls that are relevant to actual working conditions. The WorkSafe grant program supports initiatives that strengthen this relationship and encourage sustainable improvements in occupational health and safety. Key Funding Priorities Strengthening HSR Capability Projects can focus on improving the knowledge, skills, confidence, and effectiveness of Health and Safety Representatives. Improving Worker Consultation Applicants can develop new approaches that make workplace consultation more effective, accessible, inclusive, or meaningful. Building Industry Networks The program supports initiatives that connect workers, HSRs, employers, and other stakeholders through peer support and industry-wide engagement. Developing Training Resources Applicants can create industry-specific training, education, communication, or information resources that improve workplace safety knowledge. Research and Evidence Projects may investigate the effectiveness of worker consultation and generate evidence that can inform future workplace health and safety practices. What Makes a Strong Project? A competitive propo