WorkCover certificate of capacity
What is a WorkCover certificate of capacity?
A certificate of capacity is a document that describes your injury or illness.
It provides an opinion on your capacity to work and any limitations that you have on performing your work tasks.
You need a certificate of capacity if you are making a WorkCover claim and that claim includes a claim for weekly payments.
You also need a certificate of capacity if you have an accepted WorkCover claim and you wish to obtain WorkCover payments because you are not able to perform your pre-injury employment.
If you have a WorkCover claim for medical expenses only, you do not need a certificate of capacity in Victoria.
Here’s an example of a completed certificate of capacity.
When is a certificate of capacity required?
| Certificate of Capacity required | Certificate of Capacity not Required |
|---|---|
| You have suffered a work-related injury or illness, are unable to perform your pre-injury duties, and wish to claim weekly payments. | To claim medical and like expenses. |
| To claim an impairment benefit lump sum. | |
| To claim a common law lump sum. | |
| If you have no entitlement to weekly payments, for example, if you have returned to full-time work and have no restrictions on your work capacity. |
Certificate of capacity vs medical certificate
A certificate of capacity and a regular medical certificate are two different things.
To be clear, a regular medical certificate will usually look something like this (below):
Whereas a certificate of capacity looks like this (below):
When it comes to WorkCover claims, if you want to claim weekly payments you must have certificates of capacity.
You will not be paid weekly payments unless you have provided certificates of capacity (in some instances, insurers will accept statutory declarations).
A WorkCover insurer will not accept regular medical certificates.
A certificate of capacity is a specific medical certificate that is used in WorkCover matters.
The certificate of capacity not only includes the diagnosis of injury, but also includes a comment by the treating medical practitioner about your work capacity.
Each certificate of capacity will indicate whether a worker has a capacity for full unrestricted duties, modified duties, or no work capacity at all.
Here’s the section on the certificate where the person certifying you needs to indicate what your work capacity is:
A normal medical certificate on the other hand is the type of certificate that you might get from your doctor if you need time off work for a flu or for any other (usually) non-related work condition.
WorkCover Certificate of Capacity FAQs
Below are answers to common questions about WorkCover certificates of capacity in Victoria, including who can issue them, whether they can be backdated and when they may be considered invalid.
Yes. The same WorkCover certificate of capacity is used regardless of whether your injury is physical or psychological. There is no separate certificate for mental health conditions or psychiatric injuries. Yes. All Victorian WorkCover insurers, including self-insurers, use the same certificate of capacity. The initial certificate of capacity must be completed by a medical practitioner such as a GP, surgeon or psychiatrist. Subsequent certificates may also be completed by a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath where permitted. Initial certificates generally cover a maximum period of 14 days. Subsequent certificates generally cover up to 28 days. In limited circumstances, insurers may approve certificates covering longer periods. If you believe your restrictions or work capacity have been recorded incorrectly, speak with the practitioner who completed the certificate. Errors can occur and a corrected certificate may be required. WorkCover weekly payments are generally not payable unless valid certificates of capacity have been provided to the insurer. Yes. Return to work plans are generally based on the restrictions identified in the certificate of capacity. You should provide a copy of the certificate of capacity to your employer and the WorkCover insurer. You should also keep copies for your own records. A certificate may be considered invalid if it exceeds the permitted certification period, has not been signed correctly, has not been completed properly, or the worker declaration section has not been completed. Yes. Certificates of capacity can generally be backdated for up to 90 days, provided they comply with WorkCover requirements. Not necessarily. Sometimes a medical practitioner may contact an employer to better understand a worker’s duties, however this does not occur in every case. No. A doctor’s letter is not a substitute for a valid WorkCover certificate of capacity when claiming weekly payments under the Victorian WorkCover scheme.Are certificates of capacity the same for physical injuries and mental injuries?
Are certificates of capacity the same for all WorkCover insurers?
Who can issue a WorkCover certificate of capacity?
How long can a certificate of capacity cover?
What should I do if my certificate of capacity is incorrect?
What happens if certificates of capacity are not submitted?
Do I need a certificate of capacity before returning to work?
Who should I send my certificate of capacity to?
When is a certificate of capacity invalid?
Can a WorkCover certificate of capacity be backdated?
Does my doctor need to speak with my employer?
Can I use a doctor’s letter instead of a certificate of capacity?
This article was last reviewed and updated on August 18, 2026. This article was first published on April 23, 2021.
