4.5.15 Family counselling, therapy and other supports
WorkSafe can pay the reasonable cost of family counselling, therapy and other support services to family members In relation to a work-related: • severe injury for which immediate inpatient treatment in hospital is received • eligible progressive disease • fatal injury a ‘family member’ means a partner, parent, grandparent, sibling or child of the worker or of the worker's partner. Note: this definition is not the same as a close family member. where:
-
a worker sustains a severe injury requiring immediate inpatient treatment in a hospital
-
a worker has an eligible progressive disease
-
the injury results in the worker's death.
Family members are entitled to:
-
family counselling, if the worker’s severe injury, eligible progressive disease or death occurred before 6 August 2025
-
family counselling, therapy and other support services, if the worker’s severe injury, eligible progressive disease or death occurred on or after 6 August 2025
Family members include a worker's partner, parent Parent of a worker includes a person who has day to day care and control of the worker, grandparent, sibling, child or child of the worker's partner. Family members are not required to lodge a claim form for services connected with the worker's severe injury or eligible progressive disease however a Claim for Compensation Following a Work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. Death form is required.
See: Make a Claim
Services must be provided in Australia:
-
for family counselling, by a medical practitioner, registered psychologist Registered psychologist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the psychology profession (other than as a student). or a social worker social worker means a person accredited with the Australian Association of Social Work and registered with WorkSafe to provide social work services (other than as a student) approved by WorkSafe
-
for therapy and other support services, by a person or class of person approved by WorkSafe.
Note: The types of therapy and other support services which can be funded will be set out in directions made by the Minister and published in the Government Gazette.
The maximum amount payable is based on the date of injury or death and is shared between the entire family members (i.e. not an individual amount for each family member In relation to a work-related: • severe injury for which immediate inpatient treatment in hospital is received • eligible progressive disease • fatal injury a ‘family member’ means a partner, parent, grandparent, sibling or child of the worker or of the worker's partner. Note: this definition is not the same as a close family member. who is claiming these supports or services).
For example:
A worker died in July 2025. The partner and their two children, plus the worker’s mother and brother, are entitled to counselling services. The total cost of these services cannot exceed $8,040 and is shared across the five family members.
For example:
A worker died in August 2025. The partner and their three children, plus the worker’s two sisters, are entitled to counselling, therapy and other support services. The total cost of these services cannot exceed $10,000 and is shared across the six family members.
If the injury results in the worker's death and family members have received family counselling for the severe injury or eligible progressive disease, the maximum amount payable for family counselling restarts from the date of death.
See: Medical and Like expenses | Cost of services
Guidelines
See: Guideline for Family Counselling, Therapy and other Supports
The guidelines include:
- what services are included under family counselling, therapy and other support services
- what can be paid for
- who can provide each service type
Agents and self-insurers should refer to the relevant provider guidelines for the full requirements for each provider type.
Requirements for providing services to family members
Providers who are not approved by WorkSafe and registered to provide services are unable to be paid.
Family Counselling
Family counselling services can only be delivered by medical practitioners, psychologists and social workers.
Counsellors are unable to provide family counselling services under the definition in the Act.
Service limits that are detailed in the psychology, social work or medical practitioner guidelines do not apply to family members.
Social Work
Family members do not require a medical practitioner referral to access social work services.
When providing services to family members, social workers and mental health social workers are not required to submit a Treatment update summary form.
The treatment update and summary is only required for services provided to injured workers.
Psychology
Family members do not require a medical practitioner referral to access psychology services.
When providing services to family members, psychologists are not required to submit the reporting forms outlined in the psychology services guideline.
Medical Practitioners
A medical practitioner as defined in the WIRC Act Workplace Injury Rehabilitation & Compensation Act 2013 which is any person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the medical profession. This includes, but is not limited to, psychiatrists and general practitioners.
Therapy and other supports
Counselling
Under therapy and other supports, counselling includes the following services:
-
Talking therapy delivered by counsellors
-
Art therapy
-
Play based therapy
-
Animal assisted therapy
-
Music therapy
Please note that not all counselling providers are able to be registered with WorkSafe.
Family members do not require a medical practitioner referral to access counselling services.
When providing services to family members, counsellors are not required to submit a Treatment update summary form. The service limits detailed in the counselling provider guidelines also do not apply.
Pharmacy
WorkSafe can pay the reasonable costs for family members to access medications and other pharmacy items required to manage conditions related to grief, loss or trauma.
Community based supports delivered via WorkSafe outreach services
Family members do not require a medical practitioner referral to access outreach services.
Community based supports such as financial counselling and peer support can be facilitated through WorkSafe Outreach services.
Outreach staff will identify the services required by the family member and facilitate referrals to state or federal funded community support organisations.
When providing services to family members, Outreach providers are not required to submit an assessment, support and discharge plan. The 120 hour limit detailed in the Outreach services guidelines also does not apply.
Gym and Swimming and other sports and recreational activities
Gym and Swimming can be accessed via WorkSafe’s gym and/or swimming guidelines. WorkSafe can pay for a three month gym and/or swimming membership for the family member to complete independently.
Requests for other sports and recreational activities that do not align with WorkSafe’s Gym and swimming guideline may be considered.
The family member doesn’t need to seek pre-approval for therapy and other supports. However, for any requests for sports and recreational activities outside the gym/swim guidelines, the provider must be pre-approved and registered with WorkSafe to provide that service.
WorkSafe must review services that do not align to the gym and swimming services guidelines.
Remedial Massage
Remedial massage is defined as the application of manual massage techniques to treat musculoskeletal disorders or dysfunctions in a systematic way.
Family members do not require a medical practitioner referral to access remedial massage services.
Personal and household help services
WorkSafe can pay for the reasonable costs of essential household cleaning and gardening tasks for family members.
A medical referral and household help request form is not required for families to access personal and household help services.
Attendant Care providers are not required to submit a support plan for family members. Attendant Care providers should submit invoices according to the existing attendant care fee schedule.
Transportation can also be facilitated by an authorised provider such as an attendant care provider, taxi or rideshare.
Equipment and related services providers should submit invoices according to the existing equipment and related services guideline.
Death while in receipt of household help
If a worker passes away while in receipt of household help, their family member/s may receive the same services for up to 6 months from the date that the Agent is notified of the worker’s death, if all of the following criteria are met:
-
The worker’s death is related to their claim for which household help was paid
-
The family member resides at the worker’s primary residence, and
-
The Agent is notified of the worker’s death within three months of the date of death.
The type and frequency of household help the family is to receive remains unchanged from those outlined in the worker’s last approved request.
Payment for 6 months of household help services is a claims cost and does not contribute to the families maximum capped amount for counselling, therapy and other supports.
Maximum indexed rates
Monetary limits on family counselling, therapy and other support services are indexed each July, in accordance with the CPI Consumer Price Index.
| Date of injury or death from | Maximum rates for counselling and other supports |
|---|---|
| 01/07/2026 | $10,310 |
| 6/08/2025 | $10,000 |
| 01/07/2025 | $8040 |
| 01/07/2024 | $7840 |
| 01/07/2023 | $7550 |
| 01/07/2022 | $6990 |
| 01/07/2021 | $6820 |
| 01/07/2020 | $6730 |
| 01/07/2019 | $6600 |
| 01/07/2018 | $6470 |
| 01/07/2017 | $6330 |
| 01/07/2016 | $6240 |
| 01/07/2015 | $6120 |
| 01/07/2014 | $6040 |
| 01/07/2013 | $5870 |
| 01/07/2012 | $5750 |
| 01/07/2011 | $5580 |
| 01/07/2010 | $5410 |
| 01/07/2009 | $5320 |
| 01/07/2008 | $5160 |
| 28/11/2007 | $5000 |
| 01/07/2007 | $2020 |
| 01/07/2006 | $1960 |
| 01/07/2005 | $1910 |
| 01/07/2004 | $1870 |
| 01/07/2003 | $1830 |
| 01/07/2002 | $1770 |
| 01/07/2001 | $1720 |
| 01/07/2000 | $1620 |
| 01/07/1999 | $1580 |
| 01/07/1998 | $1570 |
| 12/11/1997 | $1570 |