What is a Certificate of Capacity?
A Certificate of Capacity is an official document that describes your injury, illness, capacity to work, and any limitations you have to perform your regular work tasks.
Do I need a certificate of capacity?
If you are making a claim for weekly payments (money paid to you for time off work) or are not able to perform your pre-injury employment, you must have a Certificate of Capacity. If you are claiming for treatment expenses only, you do not require one.
The initial certificate must be completed by a medical practitioner (your general practitioner, surgeon, or psychiatrist) if you need time off work or are not able to perform your pre-injury employment. Note that a psychologist is not a medical practitioner.
All subsequent certificates can be completed by a medical practitioner or physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath. You cannot complete it yourself.
It is a crucial document in the claims process and activates the support services you need. It is essential to help you return to normal life as soon as possible.
Certificate of Capacity for GPs
How do you get a Certificate of Capacity?
You can download and print the Certificate of Capacity, but it must be completed by a medical practitioner (general practitioner, surgeon or psychiatrist), physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath.
The medical practitioner (also known as a certifier) may call your employer to find out more about your employment.
They may also be contacted by your employer, your appointed return to work coordinator, occupational rehabilitation provider, or the WorkSafe agent, to coordinate your successful return to work.
What happens during the session with my medical practitioner?
- give a diagnosis and identify the injury
- complete the certificate based on what you are able to do at work
- provide a timeline for recovery and return to work.
The medical practitioner (also known as a certifier) has the ability to
- revise the certificate as the injury, condition or capacity changes
- assess and certify your working capacity, regardless of whether suitable employment is available
- discuss returning to work with you from the first consultation
- set realistic expectations with you about return to work timelines
- review any proposed return to work arrangements from the employer to ensure that the proposed duties fit within the capacity you have certified
The different types of Certificates of Capacity
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First Certificate of Capacity
Only a medical practitioner can issue the first Certificate of Capacity. It can be valid for a maximum of 14 days off work unless there are special reasons provided on the certificate, such as a severe injury or illness.
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Subsequent Certificates of Capacity
Any subsequent certificates can be valid for a maximum of 28 days unless the WorkSafe agent is satisfied that there are special reasons for the certificate to cover a longer period.
Victorian workers compensation legislation states that a Subsequent Certificate of Capacity can only be issued and signed by a Medical practitioner, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Osteopath.
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Attendance Certificate
An Attendance Certificate can be issued to confirm attendance for treatment with a Medical practitioner, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Osteopath. Note that an Attendance Certificate is not a Certificate of Capacity.