Who you’re with matters

In the event of an injury at work, Australian workplaces must follow these procedures:

• Record the Incident: It’s mandatory to report the incident in the workplace’s ‘Register of Injuries’ which should document all workplace injuries or illnesses​​.
• Notify the Insurer: Employers are required to notify their workers’ compensation insurer about the incident. In some regions, such as New South Wales, you must do this within 48 hours​​.
• Inform WHS Coordinator: Report the incident to the workplace’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) coordinator as soon as possible. The details can help address any safety concerns to prevent future incidents.
• Workers’ Compensation Claim: The injured worker may be entitled to workers’ compensation. In Australia, a claim for workers’ compensation must generally be made within six months from the date of the injury​​.
• Rehabilitation Provider: The employer should contact the workplace rehabilitation provider to assist with the worker’s return to work and ensure the best outcome for the worker’s recovery​​.

The role of workplace rehabilitation providers is to support the recovery and return to work of employees who have suffered a work-related injury or illness.

They are integral in identifying and addressing any risk factors that might hinder a successful return to work.

The Workplace Rehab Provider, such as AusRehab, provide expert services such as:

• Initial workplace rehabilitation assessments
• Assessments of the functional capacity of an employee
• Workplace assessment
• Creating and monitoring rehabilitation or return to work plans
• Suitable duties plans, job analysis, advice about job modification
• Vocational assessment
• Assistance in job seeking

They can deliver services by being engaged directly by the employer, injured worker, WorkCover doctor, insurer, or WHS coordinators.

The Workplace Rehab Provider typically consist of trained consultants with qualifications in fields such as rehabilitation counselling, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, psychology, and social work.

A referral to a workplace rehabilitation provider can be made when an injured worker is facing difficulties returning to their pre-injury duties and might benefit from additional support to re-engage with the workplace.

Here are scenarios when such a referral is typically considered appropriate:

• The injured worker is unable to perform their pre-injury duties and requires assistance to identify alternative or modified duties, either with their current employer or a new one.
• There is a need to conduct a practical assessment of the injured worker’s capacity to return to work.
• The injured worker has issues associated with returning to work, such as anxiety about returning to a particular job or work area.
• Workplace modifications or special equipment are necessary to facilitate the worker’s return.
• The suitability of a Return to Work Program with a new employer needs to be assessed.
• There is a possibility that the worker might require retraining for different work.

When a referral is made, the workplace rehab provider conducts an assessment to determine if further rehabilitation services would be beneficial.

If so, they collaborate with the injured worker, the employer, and the medical practitioner to develop a service delivery plan, which outlines the recommended services and requires agreement from all involved before proceeding.

• Eligibility Criteria: Workers’ compensation is accessible for various employment types, including full-time, part-time, and casual workers.
• Who Can Claim: Anyone legally recognised as a ‘worker’ who suffers an employment-related injury or illness can claim.
• What’s Covered? Workers Comp covers a range of conditions, from physical injuries incurred on the job to psychological conditions stemming from work-related stress or trauma.
• Employment Connection Requirement: For a claim to be valid, there must be a direct link between the injury or illness and the claimant’s job duties or workplace environment.