The Western Australian Government has launched a grant program to help prevent mental health injury at work and promote positive work practices, including an allocation that targets the mining industry.
The Mentally Healthy Workplaces Grant program will provide funding of up to $175,000 per year to entities for initiatives that will support mentally healthy workplaces.
“The health and safety of all Western Australian workers, including their mental health, is a high priority for the McGowan Government,” Acting Mines and Petroleum and Industrial Relations Minister Rita Saffioti said.
The grant program includes a competitive application process, administered by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS).
The Mines and Petroleum and Industrial Relations Minister will determine the amount and duration of the grants that will be awarded by July 2022.
The program will provide funding for organisations to implement initiatives that prevent mental injury and mental health conditions at work by managing work-related psychosocial hazards and their associated risks and promoting positive practices at work that support mental health and wellbeing.
“The Mentally Healthy Workplaces Grant program recognises the importance of mentally healthy workplaces by supporting initiatives committed to enhancing the positive aspects of work and worker wellbeing,” Saffioti said.
“We will continue to work with individuals, organisations and the community to improve worker welfare and to promote respect between employers and employees.”
Due to different funding sources, there will be two allocations of funds; one for initiatives that specifically target workers at non-mining workplaces, and another for initiatives that specifically target workers at mining workplaces.
The Mentally Healthy Workplaces Grant program forms part of the WA Government’s election commitment to support the wellbeing of workers and reduce psychosocial hazards.
Applicants can register their expression of interest online here.