If you experience a work-related injury or illness (as a worker) or if one of your workers encounters it (as an employer), there are immediate steps that should be taken.
As a worker, immediate steps:
- Seek prompt initial treatment from your doctor or the hospital.
- Obtain a work capacity certificate from your treating doctor.
- Inform your employer about the incident promptly and provide them with your work capacity certificate.
- Initiate a claim with WorkCover (or communicate with your employer if they are self-insured). Ensure to provide a copy of your work capacity certificate, as support can only be offered from the date of your initial doctor's assessment.
- Begin rehabilitation at the earliest opportunity, as your recovery is facilitated, and your employer is obligated to assist.
As an employer, immediate steps:
- Reach out to your worker as soon as possible following the injury.
- Notify WorkCover about the incident. If you are self-insured, inform your insurer accordingly.
- Submit your report within 8 business days from becoming aware of the injury or as requested by WorkCover. Further details on reporting injuries can be found on the make a claim .
- Commence planning your worker's return to work in collaboration with them.
It's essential to report the injury to WorkCover, even if a claim is not made and even if eligibility for compensation is not agreed upon.
In certain situations, you may be required to notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) of the incident after confirming its notifiability.
Employer checklist
To let WorkCover know about an injury, you need to provide some simple information about your worker and what has happened. You’ll need to tell us:
- your worker's full name, date of birth, and personal contact information
- your policy number—if you aren't sure, you can give us your business name, ABN or ACN
- the type of injury and details about how and when it happened.
You can also lodge a claim for your worker. In addition to the above, you’ll also need:
- your copy of the worker's work capacity certificate
- normal weekly earnings wage figures and working hours for your worker (if they’re taking time off work). You’ll also need the amount payable under your worker’s industrial agreement.
If you don't have some of this information, or you’re not sure what information you need, call us on 1300 362 128.