General questions
The Worker Support Program offers support to 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 and lost their job due to the Victorian Forestry Transition Program.
Yes, the Worker Support Program is available until June 30, 2026.
If you are an employee, you can register for the Worker Support Program, by calling ForestWorks on 1800 177 001 or visiting their website at the following link Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program – Registration – Forestworks
If you are a contractor or business, you can contact the DEECA Forestry Transition Information Line on 1800 318 182 or visit the Forestry Transition Program website to see what supports are available to you and your business.
All employees will receive one to one worker assistance support until they have secure employment or no longer require support services.
A Worker Assistance Coordinators will work with you to understand your needs and provide access to training, career support and health and wellbeing support.
The Government top-up payment may be provided to eligible employees who have been made genuinely redundant as defined by the Fair Work Act and lost their job.
To qualify for this payment, a native timber employee must meet all of the eligibility conditions. (Link to Government top-up payment eligibility)
If you are a contractor or business owner, your first step is to contact the Forestry Transition Information Line on 1800 318 182 or visit the Forestry Transition Program website to see what supports are available to you.
Yes, you can register without access to the internet.
If you are an employee, please contact ForestWorks on 1800 177 001. If you are a contractor or business, please contact the Forestry Transition Information Line on 1800 318 182.
Support services
Yes, all family members of native timber employees and contractors can register for support. This includes one to one worker assistance, employment support, funded training up to $8,000, and health and wellbeing support.
Yes.
The Worker Support Program provides you with;
Training Support– recognition of prior learning and current competencies, development of a training plan, access to free and funded training programs.
Employment Support –career assistance and planning, resume and application support, local employment advice, digital employment skills, referrals to other support as needed.
Once registered for the Worker Support Program you will be assigned a Worker Assistance Coordinator who will discuss your career and training pathways and design a training plan with you. You can register for the program at ForestWorks website or call ForestWorks directly on 1800 177 001.
Support Payments
There are a range of support payments available under the Worker Support Program. (insert link to support payments here)
- Government top-up payments
The Government top-up payment may be provided to eligible employees who have been made genuinely redundant as defined by the Fair Work Act and lost their job. (insert link to Government top-up payments here)
- Relocation Reimbursements
Native timber employees who have moved more than 50km from their current home to take up new work may be eligible for relocation reimbursements.
For further information on the relocation reimbursement see (insert link here) or contact ForestWorks on 1800 177 001.
- Hardship Payments
Hardship payments are available for Community Forestry employees, and Seed Collectors. (insert link to hardship payments here)
For more information on payment eligibility please refer to the Worker Support Program Website or contact ForestWorks on 1800 177 001.
Evidence requirements may differ depending on your employment type.
For all payments, once approved and the Deed of Release has been signed, an eligible employee will receive a test payment within 10 business days to verify your bank account. Following verification, you can expect your Government Top-Up payment within 10 business days.
If you need assistance completing or submitting any of the required Worker Support Program forms, you can contact ForestWorks on 1800 177 001.
The Worker Support Program is available until June 30, 2026.
Tax treatment for payments
The Government Top-up Payment is subject to tax treatment under the Income Tax Assessment Act. If you receive a government top-up payment, you will need to report it correctly in your tax return.
There may be a waiting period before you can receive an income support payment such as family assistance and other Centrelink payments. It may also affect any payments you already receive. To avoid a situation where you have no access to funds and no access to an income support payment, you should contact Services Australia to find out how long your waiting period will be before you spend your termination payment.
You may also have a waiting period depending on the amount of liquid assets (for example, money, shares) you have available.
For further information, visit:
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/recentlyunemployed or call Services Australia employment services line on 132 850.
