Worker Support Program – Important Update
Since its commencement, the program has provided valuable support to workers across the industry. We are proud of the positive outcomes achieved and thankful to everyone who has engaged with and contributed to its success.
The program has now closed.
We sincerely thank all participants, partners, and stakeholders for their ongoing support.
About the program
The Worker Support Program offers support to eligible native timber employees, supply chain employees, and their families as they navigate the transition away from native timber harvesting in state forests.
It provides a safety net to those who have been made genuinely redundant or had their casual employment contract ended due to the Victorian Forestry Transition Program.
The Worker Support Program provides:
- Support Payments
- Support Services
The Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program commenced in November 2022 and closed on 30 June 2026.
Who is eligible
The Worker Support Program offers support to eligible native timber employees, supply chain employees, contractors and their family members.
You can register if:
- you go to work in Victoria
- you are an employee of an eligible business
- you work in the native timber industry
- you are either a:
- Sawmill employee
- Harvest and haulage employee
- Community forestry employee
- Seed collector
- Chip truck driver
- Supply chain employee
- Pulp & Paper employee (inc Opal Australian Paper Maryvale Mill workers)
- You are a family member of a native timber employee or contractor
The difference between employee & contractor
Contractors have different rights and obligations to employees. This is because they provide services to another person or business, as opposed to being employed by that person or business.
About Employees
An employee is a person employed by a business and performs work as a representative of the business.
Employees can be:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Casual
- Piece rate
- Seasonal
For more information about employees, visit the Fair Work website.
About Contractors
contractors provide services under contract and can work for more than 1 client at a time.
Contractors are also called:
- Self-employed workers
- Sole traders
- ABN holders
- Independent contractors
- conractors
- Subcontractors
- Business owners
For more information about contractors, visit the Fair Work website.
Support for Contractors
If you are a contractor or business, support is available for you and your native timber business. Please contact the Forestry Transition Hotline: 1800 318 182 or visit Forestry Transition Program (deeca.vic.gov.au)
Support for Opal Australian Paper Workers
ForestWorks is delivering support to Opal Australian Paper workers affected by white side manufacturing stand downs and any future operational changes through the Opal Worker Support Service.
Program ends 30 June 2026.