Two new grants are available to establish advisory services that will provide free and independent advice to workers and employers about the NSW workers compensation system.
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $2,400,000
- Application opened: 26 August 2026
- Application closes: 23 September 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Provide advisory services to workers and employers in NSW to allow them to better understand and navigate the Workers Compensation scheme, including its recent 2026 reforms.
Two separate grants are available:
- Worker Grant: of up to $2,400,000 for three years is available for Advisory Services tailored to workers in the NSW workers compensation scheme insured by the Nominal Insurer; and
- Employer Grant: of up to $2,400,000 for three years is available for Advisory Services tailored to employers in the NSW workers compensation scheme insured by the Nominal Insurer.
The objectives and intended outcomes of the Grants are:
- Education and improved knowledge: improve workers’ and employers’ understanding of the NSW workers compensation scheme, including the changes introduced by the 2026 Reforms.
- Empower independent participation: enable workers and employers to make informed decisions and effectively participate in the NSW workers compensation scheme.
- Promote early intervention, recovery and return to work: improve understanding of claims, injury management and return to work processes to support early intervention and contribute to recovery and improved social and health outcomes.
- Enhance confidence and trust: provide workers and employers with independent and credible advice that increases stakeholder confidence in the fairness, accessibility and operation of the NSW workers compensation scheme.
This program is funded and administered by icare.
Eligibility
Selection criteria for each Grant comprises both eligibility and assessment criteria. Applicants are required to meet all the eligibility criteria and address the assessment criteria for competitive assessment.
Please refer to the Grant Guidelines (PDF 795.82KB) for detailed information.
Who can apply
To be eligible, an Applicant must:
- be operating in NSW and be a legally constituted entity in Australia, which includes companies, incorporated associations and unincorporated associations;
- have a physical office and staff employed directly by the applicant and located in NSW to deliver Advisory Services;
- hold a current NSW Workers Compensation Insurance policy issued by the Nominal Insurer
- hold appropriate public liability insurance (minimum of $20 million);
- operate on a not-for-profit basis, such as industry associations, unions, charities and representative bodies; and
- provide a detailed application proposal, together with a budget, that aligns with the objectives of the applicable Grant.
Who can’t apply
Grant funding will not be provided to:
- entities that do not meet the eligibility criteria;
- for profit commercial organisations and entities;
- insurers or insurer-specific representative bodies, including self-insurers, specialised insurers or their industry peak bodies;
- health, rehabilitation or legal service providers who offer services in the NSW workers compensation scheme;
- individuals or groups of individuals, including sole traders;
- trusts or trustees;
- partnerships; nor
- a federal, state, territory or local government agency or body (including public trusts and government business enterprises).
What your application needs to include
Please review and complete the relevant application forms:
- Application form for the Worker Grant (DOCX 115.38KB), or
- Application form for the Employer Grant. (DOCX 93.49KB)
Ensure you apply for the relevant grant as there are two separate grants:
- Worker Grant: for advisory services to workers covered by the NSW workers compensation scheme, and
- Employer Grant: for advisory services to employers covered by the NSW workers compensation scheme.
Applications must include a budget for the grant term for the 3 years, and any requests for contract departure from the Funding Deed. Please review either the:
Prepare your application
Please refer to the Grant Guidelines (PDF 795.82KB)for detailed application information and requirements.
Download and complete the relevant application form and prepare supporting evidence and other documentation in the form.
Address the eligibility criteria
Applications must address each and all application criteria. Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria:
- be operating in NSW and be a legally constituted entity in Australia, which includes companies, incorporated associations and unincorporated associations;
- have a physical office and staff employed directly by the applicant and located in NSW to deliver Advisory Services;
- hold a current NSW Workers Compensation Insurance policy issued by the Nominal Insurer;
- hold appropriate public liability insurance (minimum of $20 million);
- operate on a not-for-profit basis, such as industry associations, unions, charities and representative bodies; and
- provide a detailed application proposal, together with a budget, that aligns with the objectives of the applicable Grant.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications for grants will be assessed on:
- Demonstrated capacity and capability to comprehensively and independently represent workers or employers in NSW;
- Demonstrated capacity and capability to deliver Advisory Services to workers or employers in NSW;
- Demonstrated understanding of the NSW workers compensation scheme;
- Feasibility of the proposed service delivery model;
- Benefits, Outcomes and Evaluation; and
- Cost and Value for Money.
Please review the Grant Guideline (PDF 795.82KB) for detailed information on assessment criteria.
Start the application
- Download and complete the application form:
- Word limits apply. Adhere to the word limits and answer all questions.
- Include all required information, supporting documents, and required documentation.
- Ensure to submit the application by email to wc.grants@icare.nsw.gov.au
- Deadline: 5 PM on 23 September 2026.
- Late applications will only be accepted on the approval of the icare Group Executive Workers Compensation and for reasons beyond the control of the submitting organisation.
We look forward to receiving your applications.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Group Executive, Workers Compensation, icare
Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application open | 26 August 2026 |
| Application close | 23 September 2026 5:00 PM AEST |
| icare assessment | October 2026 |
| Decision-making | Early November 2026 |
| Application outcome date | Mid November 2026 |
| Funding agreement signed and funding provided | Mid December 2026 |
NB: the above dates are proposed only and are subject to change. icare will notify applicants of any changes to timeframes and deadlines.
Support and contact
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 82.32KB) (FAQs) that provides information regarding frequently asked questions.
Please direct inquiries to the icare Workers Compensation team and contact us directly at: wc.grants@icare.nsw.gov.au.
icare will hold an online briefing session for potential applicants at 10AM on Wednesday 9 September. To register, please email wc.grants@icare.nsw.gov.au and we will send you an online meeting invitation.
Program evaluation
Grant recipients will be required to participate in ongoing evaluations against the purpose and objectives of the Advisory Services, via regular progress reports and annual progress reports.
The evaluation will include a process outcome during the set-up phase, and then outcome evaluation. It may also include an economic evaluation.
To support the evaluation, grant recipients will be required to collect data against the measures.