COVID-19 NSW: Business – Connect2work Program

This program aims to offer financial support to employers who provide work placements to assist workers who are unable to recover at their pre-injury workplace or are looking to gain new work skills during the COVID-19 crisis.

Connect2work is a voluntary short-term work placement with a host employer. It supports recovery at work for workers where:
- Their pre-injury employer is unable to offer suitable work due to COVID-19.
- They are looking for new employment.

The program places the trainee with a host employer for a voluntary short-term work placement of up to 12 weeks.

The insurer provides the host employer with an assistance payment of $200 per week for a combined total of up to 12 weeks (to a maximum amount of $2,400) to cover any out of pocket expenses to provide them with on the job training and support.

SIRA is currently determining if the Connect2Work program will continue beyond 31 December 2020. Any programs approved and/or commenced until a decision is communicated will be eligible for payment provided the usual eligibility criteria are met.

Eligible applicants include employers who:
- Can provide a suitable work placement of at least 15 hours per week.
- Have no workers compensation liability for the trainee.
- Have no current employer/employee relationship with the trainee.
- Hold a current workers compensation policy with an insurer or a self-insurer’s licence.
- Are not grouped with the pre-injury employer for workers compensation insurance or insured under the same group self-insurer licence as the pre-injury employer.

Eligible placement must meet the following principles:
- The placement is appropriate to the person’s skills, functional and work capacity and is the most suitable option for the worker’s circumstances.
- The placement will assist the worker to continue their recovery through work.
- The goals of the placement support the worker’s recover at work plan.

A worker is eligible if they:
- Have capacity for work for at least 15 hours per week and their pre-injury employer is unable to offer suitable work due to the impact of COVID-19, or they are looking for new employment.
- Are receiving, or are entitled to receive, weekly workers compensation payments under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (1987 Act) or just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic they were engaged in suitable work with their pre-injury employer.
- Haven’t accepted a commutation or work injury damages settlement.