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Get Your WorkCover Certificate of Capacity Today!

Book an appointment with a WorkCover-approved doctor through AusRehab and get your certificate of capacity completed accurately and on time.

A certificate of capacity plays a crucial role in your workers’ compensation journey. It serves as a medical guide that supports your return-to-work plan and facilitates clear communication among you, your employer, insurer, and treating doctor.

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  • First, ongoing, and updated capacity certificates

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How We Help You Get a Workers’ Compensation Certificate of Capacity Fast

Recover quickly and return to work with confidence. In just 3 simple steps, we’ll connect you with experienced WorkCover doctors in NSW who provide treatment, accident recovery, and the workers compensation certificate of capacity required for your claim.

WorkCover doctor assessing injury and issuing certificate of capacity

Step 1: Submit Your Form

Submit the contact form above or call us to book a workers comp doctor and get your certificate of capacity. If you have a workers comp claim number, your visits are covered.

Worker reviewing recovery plan after receiving certificate of capacity

Step 2: Meet Your WorkCover Doctor

At your appointment, the WorkCover doctor will assess your injury, issue your certificate of capacity, and create a recovery plan tailored to you. 

Step 3: Start Your Recovery

With your workers compensation certificate of capacity in place, you can focus on treatment and a safe return to work. Our doctors ensure you’re supported at every step.

When Do You Need a Certificate of Capacity?

You need a certificate of capacity at several key stages of the workers’ compensation process:

First certificate of capacity

Required when initially lodging a WorkCover claim. This certificate confirms the injury, outlines your capacity to work, and identifies any need for time off or modified duties. It is usually issued by the worker’s nominated treating doctor.

Ongoing reviews

This identifies whether you are:

• Fit for pre-injury duties

• Fit for modified duties

• Not fit for any work

Change in work capacity

Anytime your functional status changes, whether you improve or experience setbacks, you’ll need an updated certificate of capacity form.

Get a certificate of capacity with AusRehab WorkCover Doctor

A NSW workers’ compensation certificate of capacity helps guide decisions throughout your recovery and ensures timely support from all parties involved.

Role of AusRehab in Supporting Certificates of Capacity

At AusRehab, we play a pivotal role in the certificate of capacity process. As a workplace rehab provider, we work closely with all stakeholders to ensure seamless communication and accurate reporting. What we do to support you:

Liaising with treating doctors

We coordinate with general practitioners and specialists to ensure the GP certificate of capacity reflects true functional abilities and treatment progression.

Aligning assessments with the certificate

Our services, including Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assessments, and workplace assessments, support and validate the details in the medical certificate of capacity.

Assisting employers with suitable duties

We guide employers in designing appropriate modified roles based on the certificate of capacity mental health and physical restrictions provided by the treating practitioner.

Ongoing communication

We ensure clear and continuous communication between the worker, treating practitioner, employer, and insurer.

Do You Need a Rehab Provider?

We can help you arrange physiotherapy, medical treatment, mental health support, home assistance, return-to-work plan, and everything else you need, all at no cost to you, because you’re covered under workers’ compensation scheme.

I Need a Workplace Rehab Provider!

Certificate of Capacity / Certificate of Fitness for Work in NSW

Not all certificates of capacity are the same. The type of certificate you need will depend on the nature of your injury and the compensation scheme involved. In NSW, there are three main categories:

Workers' Compensation: Certificate of Capacity

The WorkCover certificate of capacity is the most common type and is required when a worker suffers an injury directly related to their job. This document is essential for starting and maintaining a WorkCover certificate of capacity NSW claim.


It provides clear medical evidence of the injury, outlines current work restrictions, and supports the development of a tailored return-to-work plan. Without it, insurers cannot process claims or approve payments.

Motor Accident (CTP) Claims: Certificate of Fitness

A certificate of fitness is generally issued at the end of your recovery following a motor crash injury. It serves as confirmation that you are medically fit to resume your pre-injury duties.


In certain situations, a comparison may be made using the certificate of fitness vs functional assessment, where additional workplace evaluations help determine whether the worker is ready to resume full duties. This type of certificate offers reassurance to both the worker and employer, supporting a confident and safe return to the workplace.

Get Your Certificate of Capacity or Fitness Today!

What Is a Certificate of Capacity?

A certificate of capacity (also known as a work capacity certificate or workers’ compensation certificate of capacity) is a medical document completed by a treating doctor in the context of a NSW workers’ compensation claim. It outlines an injured worker’s current capacity to work, the nature and extent of their injury, and any functional limitations they may have.

 

In NSW, a certificate of capacity is required for:

  • Lodging a workers’ compensation claim
  • Ongoing assessment of work readiness
  • Determining appropriate duties for a safe return to work

 

This document summarises:

  • Diagnosis of the injury or condition
  • Current work capacity
  • Any functional restrictions
  • Estimated recovery timeline

 

It’s a vital tool for managing workplace injuries in a structured, safe, and evidence-based way.

How a Certificate of Capacity Supports Return to Work

A certificate of capacity serves as more than a simple form. It’s a strategic tool that plays a key role in supporting a safe and sustainable return to work. Here’s how it helps:

 

  • Provides objective medical guidance: Ensures your employer and insurer receive professional and consistent information about your capacity.
  • Enables tailored work plans: Helps employers develop modified or suitable duties that align with your restrictions and healing process.
  • Streamlines claims processing: Insurers use the WorkCover capacity certificate as the foundation for approving treatments, payments, and return-to-work services.
  • Reduces workplace disputes: Clear communication minimises conflict and confusion between workers, employers, and insurers about capacity or suitable duties.

 

These certificates of capacity for workplace injuries are often viewed as a fit for work certificate or certificate of fitness for work, ensuring medical guidance backs each step of your return.

When Do You Need a Certificate of Capacity?

You need a certificate of capacity at several key stages of the workers’ compensation process:

Diagnosis and impact

The treating practitioner outlines your injury and how it affects your ability to perform work duties.

Current work capacity

This identifies whether you are:

• Fit for pre-injury duties

• Fit for modified duties

• Not fit for any work

Suitable duties recommendations

The doctor may specify tasks you can safely perform, aligned with your restrictions.

Treatment and recovery expectations

 A forward-looking plan for rehabilitation, medical appointments, therapy, or surgical interventions.

A NSW workers’ compensation certificate of capacity helps guide decisions throughout your recovery and ensures timely support from all parties involved.

Certificate of Capacity Examples and Forms

To maintain consistency across NSW, all injured workers must use the official certificate of capacity form issued by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). This form is the standard template that treating practitioners complete to document your injury, capacity, and recovery plan.

The SIRA certificate of capacity ensures that workers, employers, doctors, and insurers are all working with the same information to support recovery and return-to-work planning. For WorkCover-related claims, the workcover certificate of capacity form must be updated regularly, usually every 28 days, to reflect progress and changes in capacity.

If you’re unsure about how to obtain the form or have questions about the process, our team at AusRehab can connect you with a WorkCover doctor who can issue a Certificate of Capacity and guide you through your recovery plan.

NSW certificate of capacity form for WorkCover documenting injury recovery and work capacity
We're always ready to answer your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can issue a Certificate of Capacity?

A certificate of capacity can only be issued by a treating doctor or specialist who is managing your injury. This includes your general practitioner, treating specialist, or a Workers’ Comp Doctor experienced in managing workplace injuries.

How long is a Certificate of Capacity valid for in NSW?

In most cases, a certificate of capacity in NSW is valid for 28 days. However, the duration may be shorter or longer depending on your condition and the recommendations of your treating practitioner.

Do I need a new Certificate of Capacity every 28 days?

Yes. To continue receiving support and weekly payments, you usually need an updated WorkCover certificate of capacity every 28 days. This ensures your employer and insurer have up-to-date information about your current work capacity and recovery progress.

What’s the difference between a Certificate of Capacity and a standard medical certificate?

  • A certificate of capacity vs medical certificate is a common point of confusion. A standard medical certificate (for sick leave, flu, etc.) only confirms time off work, while a workers’ compensation certificate of capacity provides detailed information about the injured worker’s diagnosis, functional impact, work restrictions, and recovery expectations. It is specifically designed for workers’ compensation claims.

Can my GP or treating specialist complete the Certificate of Capacity?

Yes. Your certificate of capacity is valid if your doctor is the treating practitioner for your injury. A treating specialist, such as an orthopaedic surgeon or physiotherapist, can also complete the form when appropriate.

How do I book an appointment to get a Certificate of Capacity?

You can book directly with AusRehab. We make it easy to schedule an appointment with a Workers’ Comp Doctor to obtain your work capacity certificate. Simply call us, email, or use our online booking link.

Is the SIRA Certificate of Capacity available as a PDF form?

Yes. The official SIRA certificate of capacity is available online as a downloadable PDF form. Treating practitioners must complete this form when certifying your capacity for work under NSW workers’ compensation.

What is the first certificate of capacity, and when is it required?

The first certificate of capacity is required when you initially lodge a workers’ compensation claim in NSW. It outlines your diagnosis, work capacity, and any restrictions caused by your injury or illness, helping to initiate the claim process and guide your recovery plan. This certificate must be issued by the worker’s nominated treating doctor.

Yes. For CTP claims, a ‘certificate of fitness’ also known as ‘certificate of fitness for work.’ This certificate must be completed regardless of whether the person was employed at the time of the accident.

What is a Certificate of Fitness, and how is it different from a Certificate of Capacity?

A Certificate of Fitness applies to CTP claims following a motor vehicle accident. It sets out the person’s injuries and confirms the reasonable and necessary treatment they need.

A Certificate of Capacity, by contrast, is used in workers compensation claims. It describes the injuries, indicates whether the person is fit for work, and details the treatment required.

Does WorkCover NSW require a specific Certificate of Capacity form?

Yes. For NSW claims, only the official WorkCover certificate of capacity form approved by SIRA is accepted. This standard form ensures insurers, employers, and doctors all work with consistent information.

Speak to our friendly team

Book Your Certificate of Capacity Appointment Today

Need a Certificate of Capacity today? Contact AusRehab to schedule your appointment with a Workers’ Comp Doctor. We’re here to guide your recovery journey and help you navigate your workers’ compensation claim with ease.


Let AusRehab support you by providing documentation that is accurate, timely, and professionally managed.

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Book a certificate of capacity appointment with AusRehab for WorkCover claims