4.5.15 Family counselling 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:
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a worker sustains a severe injury requiring immediate inpatient treatment in a hospital
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a worker has an eligible progressive disease
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the injury results in the worker's death.
Family members are entitled to:
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family counselling, if the worker’s severe injury, eligible progressive disease or death occurred before
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family counselling, therapy and other support services, if the worker’s severe injury, eligible progressive disease or death occurred on or after
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.
Services must be provided in Australia:
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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
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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.
See: Maximum Indexed Rates
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
Policy
See: Policy for Family Counselling
The policy includes:
- who can provide family counselling, therapy and other support services
- what can be paid for
- approval process.
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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |