What happens if an IME doctor disagrees with my doctor?
A WorkCover IME doctor disagrees with my doctor There are a number of instances during your WorkCover matter in Victoria where an independent medical examiner (IME) might disagree with your own treating doctor. Here are some of the most common: In relation to your...
WorkCover and secondary injuries
WorkCover and secondary injuries A WorkCover “secondary injury” is one that is caused by the “primary injury” for which there is an accepted claim by the WorkCover insurer. A person may be entitled to claim no fault WorkCover benefits for a secondary injury, and have...
WorkCover payments and public holidays in Victoria
WorkCover payments and public holidays in Victoria Do you get paid public holidays when on workcover in Victoria? You don’t get paid for public holidays while on WorkCover in the same way that you would if you were not on WorkCover. When on WorkCover, public holidays...
Unable to return to pre injury duties
Unable to return to pre injury duties - what you need to know If you are unable to return to pre injury duties after an injury, there are some options open to you. However, what your options are will vary depending upon whether; The injury is work related and you have...
How to know whether a WorkCover claim has been made
How to know whether a WorkCover claim has been made Summary You will know a WorkCover claim has been made in Victoria when a workers injury claim form has been completed and lodged, and you have received confirmation of the claim being received by the WorkCover...
Continuation of weekly payments after 130 weeks
Continuation of weekly payments after 130 weeks In many instances, once a person on weekly payments hits the 130 week mark, their payments are likely to be terminated. There are two instances in which a person will be entitled to weekly payments continuing beyond the...
WorkCover serious injury definition
What is the WorkCover serious injury definition? The term ‘serious injury’ as it relates to WorkCover matters in Victoria is defined in the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 and the Accident Compensation Act 1985. The definition of what is a...
Have WorkCover payments stopped?
Have your WorkCover payments stopped? There are a number of reasons why your WorkCover payments may have stopped. Common reasons are: if you have made a return to full unrestricted work duties, or if you've reached the end of the second entitlement period. There are...
WorkCover common law claims for psychological injury
WorkCover common law claims for psychological injury If you’ve suffered a psychological injury related to your employment, you may be entitled to pursue a common law claim. In order to succeed in a common law claim for psychological injury, you need to show that you...
How are impairment benefits paid?
How are impairment benefits paid? Impairment benefit lump sums are paid based on a persons whole person impairment rating. A whole person impairment rating is determined by specialised medical assessments. Injuries are assessed in accordance with the American Medical...
WorkCover hearing loss claims in Victoria
WorkCover hearing loss claims in Victoria If you have suffered hearing loss during the course of your employment, you may be entitled to claim WorkCover benefits in Victoria. This page will explore WorkCover hearing loss claims in detail. When did the hearing loss...
IME doctor says I need surgery – what now?
IME doctor says I need surgery - what now? Sometimes during a WorkCover matter you'll be required to see an independent medical examiner (IME). And depending on the nature of your injury, they may recommend in their report that you have surgery. Many people on...
Why is my IME report taking so long?
Why is my IME report taking so long? During a WorkCover matter, you will likely be asked to attend an independent medical examiner or IME. This could be after you’ve lodged your initial claim during the claim determination period, or it could be after you’ve lodged an...
What is WorkCover leave?
What is WorkCover leave? In Victoria, technically there is nothing called ‘WorkCover leave’. If you are absent from work either on a partial basis or a complete basis because of your work-related injury and you have a WorkCover claim on foot, any time off work is...
WorkCover claim acceptance letter
WorkCover claim acceptance letter - what does it actually say? Once you've lodged a WorkCover claim, the WorkCover insurer will spend some time processing the claim before ultimately making a decision to either accept or reject the claim. If they accept the claim,...
What is a genuine dispute certificate?
A genuine dispute certificate confirms that a dispute could not be resolved. Discover its significance in conciliation.
Can you get a loan on WorkCover?
Can you get a loan on WorkCover? Yes, you can get a loan on WorkCover. This includes both home loans and personal loans. However, being on WorkCover may have an impact in relation to your chances of obtaining a loan. Please keep in mind that this page does not...
Can I claim WorkCover during probation period?
Can I claim WorkCover during an employment probation period? You can claim WorkCover during an employment probation period in Victoria. This is the case regardless as to whether you are a full-time, part time or casual worker. It's also the case regardless as to the...
Can you claim income protection while on WorkCover?
Can you claim income protection while on WorkCover? Yes, you can claim income protection insurance while you are on WorkCover. The question is though, is it a good idea? If you are receiving weekly payments from WorkCover, and the income protection relates to your...
When can you claim pain and suffering?
When can you claim pain and suffering under a WorkCover claim? There are two points under a WorkCover claim in Victoria where you can claim for pain and suffering. The first is an impairment lump sum claim and the second is a common law claim. An impairment claim in...
Can you withdraw a WorkCover claim?
Can you withdraw a WorkCover claim? Yes, you can withdraw your WorkCover claim. However, there's a few things you should keep in mind. The rest of this page will look into how that works and what that actually means. If your claim has just been lodged but not...
Do you get sick pay if injured at work?
Do you get sick pay if injured at work? Yes, if you have been injured at work you’ll be entitled to take sick leave if you have accrued sick leave to take and should you require time off work. However, there are some other considerations which this page will look at....
WorkCover claim accepted
What happens when a WorkCover claim is accepted? Once your WorkCover claim has been accepted in Victoria, that will entitle you to two things only. The first is the payment of weekly payments of compensation if your ability to work has been impacted. The second is...
What if you can’t physically do your job anymore?
What if you can't physically do your job anymore? There are some options open to you if you can’t physically do your job anymore in Victoria. You may wish to see if reasonable adjustments can be made to your current job to assist you, or ask to be moved to a role with...
WorkCover payment rates
WorkCover payment rates in Victoria This page covers the WorkCover payment rates in Victoria for each of the benefits you can receive and any minimum or maximum amounts payable. Medical and like expenses rates As with most insurance schemes, the amount WorkCover will...
What is a non work related injury in Victoria?
What is a non work related injury in Victoria? There are a number of instances in which injuries will not be considered to be work related for the purposes of a Victorian WorkCover claim. Injuries suffered outside of work One of the most obvious instances is when an...
Will an employee injured at work automatically receive compensation from their employer?
Will an employee injured at work automatically receive compensation from their employer? No. In some instances, and employer may offer to compensate a person that has suffered an injury at work by way of payment of medical expenses and/or lost wages. However, there is...
WorkCover and redundancy
WorkCover and redundancy This page will explore issue of a redundancy and how it impacts on a WorkCover claim in Victoria. Firstly, what exactly is a redundancy? In short, redundancy is a way for employers to terminate employees. A redundancy occurs when the job that...
Does WorkCover come out of sick leave?
Does WorkCover come out of sick leave? No, If you receive any payments under a WorkCover claim in Victoria, these do not come out of your sick leave. WorkCover is completely separate from your accrued sick leave entitlements as a part time or full time employee. This...
Do employers have to accommodate injuries?
Do employers have to accomodate injuries? Employers do need to accommodate people that have injuries. However, a distinction needs to be made between those people that have work related injuries and those who have and those who haven't lodged a WorkCover claim. As...
The WorkCover settlement process
The WorkCover settlement process (Vic) This page will look at the WorkCover settlement process in relation to each of the main WorkCover entitlements that a person may claim. Medical and like expenses and weekly payments settlement process If the WorkCover insurer has...
WorkCover self insurers in Victoria
WorkCover self insurers in Victoria There are 34 self-insurers in the Victorian WorkCover scheme. You will see from the list below that the companies in the self-insurance part of the scheme are large (or very large) employers. Applying to become a self-insurer is an...
Is WorkCover ordinary time earnings?
Is WorkCover ordinary time earnings? No, in most cases when it comes to the payment of WorkCover payments, you will not be paid your equivalent ordinary time earnings. WorkCover weekly payments are paid to you at the rate of 95% of your pre-injury average weekly...
WorkCover 30% impairment
WorkCover and 30% impairment rating - what does it mean? There are three aspects of a WorkCover claim where being assessed as having a 30% whole person impairment rating is relevant. How would you be assessed as having a 30% impairment? When you refer to being...
WorkCover settlement conference
All about WorkCover settlement conferences Summary When you refer to a WorkCover settlement conference, in most cases what you're referring to is a conference that occurs in relation to a WorkCover common law claim. Usually, settlement conferences occur after the...
WorkCover lawyers
WorkCover lawyers in Victoria If you've suffered an injury at work and if you've lodged a WorkCover claim (or perhaps you're thinking of doing so), you may have considered hiring a lawyer to help you. We (Michael and Peter) are both lawyers, but we realise we might...
Working while on WorkCover
Working while on WorkCover in Victoria Summary Many people seem to believe that if you have a WorkCover claim, you are not able to work. And that if you do work while on WorkCover, your claim is finalised. This is not correct. You are able to work while on WorkCover,...
WorkCover and offers of settlement
WorkCover and offers of settlement There are a number of occasions during a WorkCover claim where WorkCover may offer you a settlement. This article will explore those occasions and will discuss what you need to know in relation to each. Medical and like expenses...
Dealing with WorkCover as an injured worker
Dealing with WorkCover as an injured worker Dealing with WorkCover and the WorkCover system can be very difficult for some people. So here are some pointers to help you in your dealings with the insurer. Advice for dealing with WorkCover (including your WorkCover...
Moving interstate while on WorkCover
Moving interstate while on WorkCover Just because you have a WorkCover claim does not mean that you need to continue to reside in Victoria. You are able to move interstate (and overseas) should you wish if you have a Victorian WorkCover claim on foot. However, there...
Injury at work with no sick leave
Injury at work with no sick leave (Vic) If you suffer an injury at work and you have no sick leave to fall back on, there are some options that are open to you; WorkCover Income protection TPD Accessing superannuation Annual leave or long service leave Centrelink...
All about WorkCover statutory counter offers
All about WorkCover statutory counter offers During a WorkCover claim you may have heard the term WorkCover counter offer or WorkCover statutory counter offer referred to. This is an offer made on your behalf (usually) by your lawyer, during a common law lump sum...
I had an accident at work but it was my fault
I had an accident at work but it was my fault If you’ve had an accident at work and suffered an injury - and it the accident was your fault - it might surprise you to learn that you might still be entitled to compensation under the Victorian WorkCover scheme. No fault...
When can you claim workers compensation in Victoria?
When can you claim workers compensation in Victoria? Summary You can claim workers compensation in Victoria when you suffer an injury, illness or condition that is connected to employment. Workers compensation claim criteria In order to successfully have a workers...
Do I need a return to work certificate in Victoria?
Do I need a return to work certificate in Victoria? If you have a WorkCover claim in Victoria and you want to return to work, you might be wondering whether you need a return to work certificate. What is a return to work certificate? Technically speaking, under the...
How do I make a claim for loss of earnings under WorkCover?
How do I make a claim for loss of earnings under WorkCover? Summary If you have been injured at work, it is possible to claim for your loss of earnings under WorkCover. The two main avenues to do so are via weekly payments and a common law claim. You should have a...
WorkCover and unfair dismissal
WorkCover and unfair dismissal If you have a work related injury (or condition or illness), generally speaking, you are not able to be terminated from work because of that injury. If you are terminated because of the injury, in some cases that dismissal may be unfair...
All about WorkCover mediations
All about WorkCover mediations If you've been in the WorkCover system long enough, you may have heard a WorkCover mediation being mentioned. This article will explore the WorkCover mediation process, and when a mediation may occur. What is a WorkCover mediation? A...
What qualifies as a work related injury?
What qualifies as a work related injury under WorkCover? What qualifies as a work related injury under the WorkCover system is an injury (or condition or illness) that is in some way related to your employment. It can be an injury that occurred as a result of one...
I hurt my back at work what should I do?
I hurt my back at work what should I do? Work related back injuries are very common. In Victoria, recent WorkSafe Victoria data shows that around 15% of all injuries suffered at work are to the back. Here are your options if you suffer a back injury at work. Get...
How long after a work related accident can you sue?
How long after a work related accident can you sue? (Vic) Let’s start with this – you can make a claim for WorkCover compensation (medical expenses and weekly payments) as soon as you're injured. Now if we move on to lump sums, the timing of when you can “sue” becomes...
Who do you tell if you suffer a work related injury or illness?
Who do you tell if you suffer a work related injury or illness? (Vic) If you have suffered a work related injury or illness in Victoria, you have a few options in terms of who tell. Yes, you should let your employer know and you should report your work related injury...
Is WorkCover a salary?
Is WorkCover a salary? (Vic) In one sense, WorkCover is a salary. If you have an accepted WorkCover claim in Victoria, one of your potential entitlements is the payment of weekly payments to cover some of your lost wages. However, it is important to keep in mind that...
Claiming TPD while on WorkCover
Claiming TPD while on WorkCover (Vic) Can I claim TPD while on WorkCover? Yes, you can claim TPD while you're on WorkCover and in fact it is a good idea to do so. However, it is important to get your timing right. This article will explain things in more detail. TPD...
What happens when WorkCover ends
What happens when WorkCover ends (and when does it end?) Summary A claim is typically only fully concluded when all compensation rights, including medical expenses and common law entitlements, have been resolved or exhausted. So, even if you think (or have been told)...
Fit for work certificates – what you need to know
What is a fit for work certificate? This article will assume that you have a WorkCover claim on foot and that your ability to work has been impacted by an injury, illness or condition related to your employment. It will also assume that you are thinking of returning...
Can a doctor lodge a WorkCover claim?
Can a doctor lodge a WorkCover claim in Victoria? Summary A doctor is not able to lodge a WorkCover claim on your behalf in Victoria. A doctor can provide you with the WorkCover claim form, a WorkCover certificate (called a certificate of capacity) and they can help...
Can I change jobs while on WorkCover?
Can I change jobs while on WorkCover? Summary Changing jobs while on WorkCover does not automatically stop your benefits. Medical expenses and impairment benefits are typically unaffected. Weekly payments and a common law claim can be impacted, depending upon the...
I got injured at work – do I need a lawyer?
I got injured at work, do I need a lawyer? The reality is that you don't need a lawyer in every matter involving an injury at work. If you are not intending to pursue a WorkCover claim then in most cases you won't need to engage a lawyer. Just make sure the injury is...
WorkCover and an aggravation of a pre-existing condition
WorkCover and an aggravation of a pre existing condition (Vic) I've had clients think that they were not able to pursue a WorkCover claim because they have a pre-existing injury that was aggravated by a work related incident or during the course of their employment...
Can I claim an impairment benefit and compensation for pain and suffering?
Can I claim an impairment benefit and compensation for pain and suffering? Summary Yes in many cases you are able to claim an impairment benefit lump sum as well as further compensation pain and suffering. However, to properly answer this question we need to look at a...
Pending WorkCover claim – what you need to know
What you need to know if you have a pending WorkCover claim in Victoria Once you lodge a WorkCover claim in Victoria, it will be sent off to an insurance company who will be responsible for determining the claim. They need to decide whether to accept or reject your...
Recognition for the Work Injury Site
Recognition for the Work Injury Site The Work Injury site was recently selected as one of the top 25 workers' compensation blogs in the world by Feedspot.com. Needless to say, we're pretty pleased that our humble Aussie blog was recognised. Feedspot allows people to...
Do you get paid normally on WorkCover?
Do you get paid normally on WorkCover? If you lodge a WorkCover claim in Victoria and it gets accepted, in some instances you'll be entitled to be paid income replacement benefits. These are sometimes referred to as weekly payments of compensation. You are entitled...
I got hurt at work – can I sue?
If I get injured at work can I sue? You are able to sue if you get injured at work in some cases. After suffering an injury at work, some people wonder whether they are able to sue. They may want to sue their employer, a manufacturer of a defective piece of machinery...
If I get injured at work do I get paid?
If I get injured at work do I get paid? If you get injured at work, and that injury is in some way related to your employment, then it is possible to be paid compensation for some of your lost earnings if your ability to work is impacted. In order to be compensated,...
How long do you have to lodge a WorkCover claim?
How long do you have to lodge a WorkCover claim? There is no specific timeframe in which you must lodge a WorkCover claim. What you do have to do however, is notify your employer of your injury within 30 days. WorkCover explains the time to report an injury as...
WorkCover return to work (Victoria)
WorkCover and returning to work (Victoria) The WorkCover legislation in Victoria requires the employer and the worker to cooperate to try and return the injured worker back to work when it is safe to do so. This can be on the basis of reduced hours or duties (modified...
Quitting your job due to injury – answers to common questions
Quitting a job due to an injury: answers to common questions If you’re thinking of quitting your job because of an injury, this article should answer many of the questions you might have: Quitting a job because of an injury that isn’t work related If you’re sure the...
Does WorkCover pay for medication?
Does WorkCover pay for medication? WorkCover will pay for medication if you have an accepted WorkCover claim. There are of course plenty of exceptions to the answer, which are detailed below, but for the most part, if the medication you are claiming is for the work...
WorkCover claim settled: now what?
WorkCover claim settled - what now? When most people refer to their WorkCover claim having settled, what they’re usually referring to is that they’ve settled a lump sum claim. This article will look at what happens once your claim has resolved. Impairment benefit...
What to do when you have problems with WorkCover
What to do when you have problems with WorkCover Unfortunately, sometimes people that have WorkCover claims report experiencing problems. Below are a list of common problems that a person on WorkCover might experience, along with steps you can take to deal with the...
Is income protection the same as workers compensation?
Is income protection the same as workers compensation? No, income protection and workers compensation payments (WorkCover) are different things. Income protection a type of insurance that will pay you a regular income benefit if you're unable to work because of an...
WorkCover claims process flow chart
WorkCover claims process flow chartBelow is a WorkCover claims process flow chart that outlines the WorkCover process in Victoria.
Does WorkCover pay for doctors?
Does WorkCover pay for doctors? TL;DR If you have an accepted WorkCover claim, you’re entitled to be paid for the costs of reasonable medical and like expenses. Part of this includes having your doctors bills paid for. WorkCover will pay for doctors bills that...
What happens if you can’t return to work after injury?
What happens if you can't return to work after injury? If you are unable to return to work following an injury related to your employment, there's two different scenarios that need to be considered. 1. If you're on WorkCover 2. If you're not on WorkCover. If you're...
Do I have to make a WorkCover claim?
Do I have to make a WorkCover claim? No, you definitely don’t need to make a WorkCover claim if you’ve suffered an injury or illness related to your employment. It’s completely up to you whether you wish to lodge a claim or not. You can also elect not to lodge a...
Injured at work but still working
Injured at work but still working? If you have a WorkCover claim It is possible to be injured at work but continue working with the injury employer while on WorkCover. It is in fact quite common for injured workers to continue working with the employer on either a...
When does WorkCover offer compensation?
When does WorkCover make an offer of compensation? Summary WorkCover does not offer compensation just because you have an accepted WorkCover claim. In order to be compensated by way of a lump sum, you need to first have the initial WorkCover claim accepted, and then...
WorkCover make up pay – how does it work?
WorkCover make up pay - how it works WorkCover weekly payments are not paid at 100% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings. Weekly payments commence at 95% of your pre injury earnings and later on drop down to 80%. The WorkCover insurer will not pay you full wages...
