Recovering from a workplace injury can make everyday household tasks more difficult. Cleaning, maintaining floors and keeping outdoor areas tidy may become challenging when an injury affects your mobility, strength or ability to carry out regular activities.
WorkSafe household help services in Victoria may provide eligible injured workers with assistance for certain essential household cleaning and gardening tasks. Understanding how this support works, who may qualify and how to request approval can help workers take the next step towards recovery.
Seven Angels Care and Support Services provides WorkSafe-related household help and community nursing services to support eligible clients in their recovery journey.
What Are WorkSafe Household Help Services?
WorkSafe household help services are services that may be funded under Victoria’s workers compensation scheme to assist eligible workers who can no longer complete certain household tasks because of a work-related injury or illness.
The assistance generally relates to essential cleaning and gardening tasks that the worker performed before their injury but is now unable to manage.
The purpose is to support recovery, maintain independence and help workers safely manage their daily lives while they work towards improving their functional abilities.
Funding is subject to WorkSafe requirements, individual circumstances and approval from the relevant WorkSafe agent or self-insurer.
What Household Tasks May Be Covered by WorkSafe?
Depending on the worker’s circumstances and approved request, household help may include certain essential domestic cleaning and gardening tasks.
Domestic Cleaning Assistance
An eligible worker may be considered for assistance with essential household cleaning activities that have become difficult because of their work-related injury.
Examples may include:
- Cleaning kitchen benches and sinks
- Routine cleaning of essential household areas
- Vacuuming and mopping where these tasks meet the applicable guidelines
- Other eligible domestic cleaning tasks identified in the approved request
The tasks and frequency of assistance depend on the applicable WorkSafe guidelines and the worker’s approved services.
Gardening and Lawn Maintenance
Some eligible workers may also receive assistance with essential gardening tasks that they can no longer safely perform following their injury.
Depending on the circumstances and approval, this may include lawn mowing, edging and basic garden maintenance such as weeding.
WorkSafe distinguishes eligible household help from general property maintenance. Repairs, painting and other maintenance activities are not automatically covered.
Who May Be Eligible for WorkSafe Household Help in Victoria?
Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the workplace injury, the worker’s accepted claim and the applicable funding requirements.
WorkSafe generally considers whether:
- The worker has an accepted claim under the Victorian workers compensation scheme.
- The household tasks were performed by the worker before the injury or illness.
- The work-related condition now prevents the worker from performing those tasks.
- The requested services are reasonable and relevant to recovery and functional independence.
- The required referral and supporting documentation have been provided.
- The services have been approved by the relevant WorkSafe agent or self-insurer.
Meeting these general criteria does not automatically guarantee funding. Each request is considered according to the applicable requirements and the worker’s individual circumstances.
How to Request WorkSafe Household Help Services
If a workplace injury is affecting your ability to manage household tasks, there are practical steps you can take to find out whether assistance is available.
Step 1: Speak With Your Treating Health Practitioner
Discuss the household activities that have become difficult because of your injury. A treating medical practitioner, physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor may need to provide the required referral and supporting information.
Step 2: Contact Your WorkSafe Agent
Ask your WorkSafe agent or self-insurer about the household help request process, required forms and assessment criteria. The appropriate documentation must be submitted before the request can be assessed.
Step 3: Wait for Approval
Your agent will assess the request based on the available information and your circumstances. Confirm the approved tasks, service period and conditions before arranging services.
Step 4: Choose an Appropriate Provider
Once approval has been received, you can arrange services with a registered provider that is authorised to deliver the relevant household help services. Check that the provider and requested tasks meet the approval conditions.
Following these steps can help you understand the process and avoid arranging services that may not be funded.
How Seven Angels Care and Support Services Can Help
Seven Angels Care and Support Services supports eligible WorkSafe and TAC clients through household help and community nursing services.
Our household help services are designed to assist eligible clients with approved essential domestic cleaning and gardening tasks where a work-related injury affects their ability to manage these activities.
We also provide community nursing services, including appropriate in-home clinical support delivered by qualified nursing professionals.
We understand that every recovery journey is different. Our aim is to provide respectful, personalised support that takes account of individual needs and helps clients maintain their independence.
If you are looking for a WorkSafe provider in Victoria, contact our team to discuss the services we provide and whether we may be able to assist with your approved support needs.
Visit our WorkSafe Provider Victoria service page to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About WorkSafe Household Help Services
Does WorkSafe pay for house cleaning after a workplace injury?
WorkSafe may fund eligible essential household cleaning tasks when a work-related injury or illness prevents a worker from performing tasks they previously managed. Funding depends on the applicable requirements, supporting documentation and approval.
Can WorkSafe cover gardening services?
Certain essential gardening tasks, including eligible lawn mowing and garden maintenance, may be covered. The worker must meet the relevant criteria, and the requested services must be approved.
Do I need approval before arranging household help?
Yes. WorkSafe household help services must be approved by the relevant agent or self-insurer before the services commence if they are to be funded. Check the approval conditions with your agent.
Can I choose my own household help provider?
After approval, workers can engage an appropriate registered provider that meets WorkSafe’s requirements. Confirm that the provider is authorised to deliver the approved services before commencing.
Does WorkSafe household help include every household chore?
No. WorkSafe household help is limited to eligible tasks under the applicable guidelines. General property maintenance and other excluded activities are not automatically covered.
Where can I find WorkSafe household help services in Victoria?
You can contact Seven Angels Care and Support Services to discuss our household help and community nursing services. Visit our WorkSafe Provider Victoria page for further information.
Contact Seven Angels Care and Support Services
If you need information about WorkSafe household help or community nursing services in Victoria, Seven Angels Care and Support Services is here to help you understand our services and discuss your support needs.
Call 1800 009 924 or visit our WorkSafe Provider Victoria page to learn more.
Important information: WorkSafe funding and eligibility are determined under the applicable Victorian workers compensation requirements. Contact your WorkSafe agent or self-insurer for advice about your individual claim and approval.
Further Information
For the official eligibility criteria and current requirements, refer to the WorkSafe Victoria Household Help Services Guidelines.
