July 19th, 2026HELPING EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKERS RECOVER SOONER

Emergency services workers are exposed to traumatic events every day to keep Victorians safe.

Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll today announced $2.25 million for an Australian-first partnership with the Emergency Services Foundation to help emergency workers recover from mental injury.

The Residential Wellbeing Program will help workers from Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Triple Zero Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria process trauma, rebuild confidence and get back to work sooner and safer.

Research shows the longer someone is off work, the less likely they are to return.

That’s why this program gets in early – with support built for emergency workers by peers who understand them.

Injured workers will step away from day-to-day pressures and recover alongside people who have lived the same experiences – something no existing service offers.

The program combines proven therapies with practical resilience skills in a safe, structured residential setting.

Expert facilitators will deliver the program, working hand-in-hand with each worker’s support network.

Twenty four programs will be delivered over two years – supporting around 160 emergency services workers.

The trial is funded through WorkSafe’s Return to Work Innovations program.

For more information visit rwp.esf.com.au.