What to do when you’ve been injured at work

First steps

You should report the injury to your manager as soon as possible. You have 30 days from the injury date to report it. You should do this in writing. Your employer then has to notify their WorkSafe agent. The earlier you report it, the earlier you can get treatment and start your recovery.

It’s important that you get the help you need. Whether your injury is physical or mental, seeing a general practitioner (GP) is a good start. They may refer you to other healthcare providers. Let your employer know if you need time off work or any modifications to return to work safely.

If you have a physical injury a physiotherapist may also be able to help. Physiotherapists can assess, diagnose and treat many injuries and health conditions.

Get support early

If you have a work-related mental injury, you may be able to access early treatment and support. While you wait for the outcome of your claim, you can make an appointment with a:

• GP
• psychologist
• psychiatrist.

Early support can also include medications and travel costs.

This support is called provisional payments.

To receive provisional payments, make sure you tick the box that says you have a mental injury. This is at question 2 of the paper/PDF 'Worker's injury claim form'. If you are lodging online, this question is at step 2.

Your agent will usually determine your entitlement within 5 business days after you’ve lodged the form. Your agent will be in touch to let you know the outcome.

What you can claim for

If you need time off work or treatment, you may be eligible to claim for compensation.

Claiming for treatment expenses

If you need medical treatment, you can have the expenses paid directly to your provider. You can also pay upfront and ask for a reimbursement. Make sure you keep your receipts.

Claiming weekly payments for time off work

If you need time off work, you can make a claim for weekly payments to cover part of your lost income.

Your weekly payments will be based on your pre-injury average weekly earnings. This is calculated using your base rate of pay and can include overtime and shift allowances.

Claiming for both weekly payments and medical expenses

If you need medical treatment and time off work, you can have both:

• medical and like expenses reimbursed to you
• weekly payments for time off work.

To claim for weekly payments, you need the following documents:

• a certificate of capacity from your GP
• a completed ‘Worker's injury claim form’.

If you want to claim only for medical expenses, you don’t need a certificate of capacity. You still have to submit a claim form.

You may also be entitled to other compensation, such as permanent impairment benefits and superannuation benefits.

If you want to claim for compensation, you need to make a claim.

What you need to make a claim

You can make a claim either using the online form or by filling out the PDF form. Make sure you have the required documents ready (see section above).

• How to fill out the paper/PDF form

• How to fill out the online form

Your employer will then need to complete their sections.

Claim assessment and outcome

Your WorkSafe agent has 28 days from receipt to assess the claim and make a liability decision. If the claim includes a mental injury, an entitlement to provisional payments is made in 5 days.

Your agent will let you know the decision in writing.

If your claim is accepted

Your agent will contact you and confirm the decision in writing, including your entitlements. They will be your primary support on your recovery and return to work journey.

If your claim is rejected

You can use any sick or other leave you’ve accrued to cover the time you need off work.

Provisional payments can continue for 13 weeks if both:

• your claim included a work-related mental injury
• you were entitled to them while the claim was being determined.

If you disagree with the outcome

If you disagree with a decision on your claim, you have the following options.

• Talk to your employer, union or agent.
• Contact WorkSafe Advisory on 1800 136 089 or email [email protected]
• Use the Workplace Injury Commission (WIC). This is a free service that can help resolve your dispute without a solicitor or going to court. The WIC is independent of WorkSafe, agents, employers, solicitors and unions. For more information or to get an ‘Application for Conciliation’ form, call the WIC on (03) 9940 1111 or 1800 635 960 or visit wic.vic.gov.au.

If the dispute isn’t resolved through the conciliation process, you may be able to request a review by the Workers’ Compensation Independent Review Service, refer the dispute to arbitration, or go to court.