WorkSafe Household Help After a Work Injury
What WorkSafe Victoria can pay for at home, how to get it approved, and how long it lasts.
If a work injury means you can't do the housework you used to, WorkSafe Victoria can pay for household help while you recover. Here's how it works, based on WorkSafe's household help services policy.
Who can get it
- You have an accepted WorkSafe claim.
- The help is for tasks you did yourself before the injury and can't do now because of it.
- Your treating doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor refers you (or a hospital occupational therapist recommends it when you're discharged).
How to get it approved
- You and your treating practitioner complete the request forms, including a worker declaration.
- They go to your WorkSafe agent, who decides within 28 days of receiving them (or of an OT assessment, if one is needed).
- Once approved, you choose a WorkSafe-registered provider, who should check your approval letter before starting.
How long it lasts
An initial approval covers up to 12 weeks, and a further 12 weeks can be requested. Help beyond 24 weeks is for exceptional circumstances and needs an occupational therapist's needs assessment. Services are expected to reduce as you recover.
What's covered
Essential cleaning of your kitchen, living areas, bedrooms, bathroom, toilet and laundry; laundry and ironing for you or your dependants; and some basic gardening. Occasional heavier jobs like a yearly spring clean are considered case by case.
What isn't
WorkSafe's policy excludes, among other things: help from friends or family, non-approved providers, work done before approval, cleaning products, carpet and blind cleaning, and maintenance or repairs. If a provider charges more than WorkSafe's fee schedule, you pay the difference, and the provider should tell you before starting.
How Silv's fits in: Silv's is an approved WorkSafe (WorkCover) provider for household services. NDIS, DVA, TAC and aged-care clients are served through provider arrangements, subject to your approved supports and agreement with your provider. Not sure where you stand? Call or WhatsApp 0489 220 588 and we'll talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
Can a family member be paid to clean for me?
No. WorkSafe's policy doesn't fund services from friends or family; help must come from a WorkSafe-registered provider.
How long does approval take?
WorkSafe's policy says the agent decides within 28 days of receiving the request forms, or of an occupational therapist's assessment if one is needed.
Is Silv's a WorkSafe provider?
Yes. Silv's is an approved WorkSafe (WorkCover) provider for household services.
Silv's is an approved WorkSafe provider for household services. Send us your approval letter and we'll get you booked in.
Book WorkSafe household helpSource: WorkSafe Victoria, Household help services policy (worksafe.vic.gov.au), checked October 2026. General information only; your agent decides your entitlement.