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Apr 23, 2025 • 7 min read

How Long Does Workers Comp Take to Pay — And How Much Will You Receive?

Wondering how long WorkCover takes to pay? Payments often start within 7 days. Find out how much you can get under the latest workers comp policies.

Written by: Ginny Cai

How long does your workers compensation take to pay? Straight answer: within seven days of injury notification. But how are these payments calculated, how much do you get, and how long do they actually last? This article unpacks SIRA’s Workers Compensation Benefits Guide, making sure you understand the rights and entitlements you deserve.

Before Your Claim Gets Approved

It usually takes a few days for your workers compensation claim to be approved. While your claim is being reviewed, you will receive provisional payments — a financial safety net provided even before your claim is formally approved.

The provisional payment is a weekly payment that can cover up to 12 weeks of pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE) and up to $10,000 for reasonably necessary medical treatment. It provides financial support to injured workers while their workers compensation claim is being assessed to determine liability. But rest assured — workers compensation is a no-fault system, so you are entitled to all WorkCover benefits regardless of who was at fault, as long as the injury is work-related.

According to the SIRA guide, the insurer must commence provisional weekly payments within seven days of being notified of the injury, unless there is a reasonable excuse. Even if your claim is later declined, you won’t be required to repay any provisional payments received.

How Long Do Weekly Workers Compensation Payments Last?

Workers compensation weekly payments can last for up to 130 weeks without needing a formal extension. In total, you may receive up to five years of payments, depending on your injury and circumstances.

The payment structure is split into three entitlement periods (more below), and your ongoing benefits are based on your PIAWE and work capacity. However, if you have an assessed permanent injury to your body, you may be eligible to receive workers comp payments until you reach the Commonwealth pension age.

How Much Can I Receive in a Workers Compensation Claim?

Workers compensation (WorkCover) weekly payments aren’t one-size-fits-all — they vary depending on your entitlement period and work capacity.

First Entitlement Period – Weeks 0 to 52

During the first 52 weeks after your injury, you may receive up to 95% of your Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings (PIAWE). This includes regular wages, overtime, shift allowances, and non-monetary benefits (like accommodation or vehicle use).

As of 1 April to 30 September 2025, the maximum weekly compensation is capped at $2,569.60. This amount is reviewed and adjusted twice a year — on 1 April and 1 October.

Second Entitlement Period – Weeks 53 to 130

After 52 weeks, your weekly payments depend on your current work capacity:

No capacity to work: You’ll receive the lesser of 80% of your PIAWE or the weekly maximum.

Working less than 15 hours/week: You’ll receive the lesser of 80% of your PIAWE minus your current earnings or the weekly maximum.

Working at least 15 hours/week: You’ll receive the lesser of 95% of your PIAWE minus current earnings or the weekly cap.

After 130 weeks

To continue receiving weekly payments beyond 130 weeks of your work injury, you must formally apply to the insurer. Ongoing payments are limited to a maximum of five years, unless you’re assessed with a permanent impairment of over 20%.

Why Didn’t I Receive My Workers Comp Weekly Payments?

If you’re receiving weekly compensation payments under a workers compensation claim in NSW, it’s important to understand the situations that could lead to your payments being paused or reduced:

Missing or unsigned Certificate of Capacity: If you haven’t submitted a valid Certificate of Capacity — or failed to sign the declaration confirming you’re not working elsewhere — your insurer may suspend your weekly payments after seven days of notification.
Not complying with your return to work obligations: If you ignore a formal request from the insurer to participate in return to work planning or suitable duties, your weekly benefits may be suspended after 14 days.
Capacity to work identified by the insurer: If the insurer determines you have some capacity for work, they may reduce or discontinue your weekly payments based on what they assess you could earn in suitable employment.
Failing to attend medical appointments: If you miss a medical appointment arranged by the insurer to assess your injury or work capacity, your payments may be paused until you attend the examination.
Refusing a work capacity assessment: If you decline or fail to attend an assessment of your work capacity, your workers comp payments may be suspended until the assessment is completed.

How AusRehab Safeguards Your Workers Compensation Route

While navigating the complexities of a workers compensation case, your rehabilitation journey can feel overwhelming, and that’s where AusRehab steps in to support.

At AusRehab, our experienced consultants are here to guide you through each step. With a 90% return-to-work rate, our team helps you like a loyal friend — from understanding your entitlements to supporting your recovery journey.

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Ginny Cai

Ginny Cai is a dedicated writer with extensive experience in digital marketing and content creation. She is passionate about transforming data insights into compelling narratives and strategic content across multiple platforms.

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