If you experience a work related injury, workers compensation can provide:
- weekly payments to cover the loss of earning capacity
- payment of reasonable medical expenses
- vocational rehabilitation expenses where needed to assist with a safe return to work.
By law, workers compensation insurance is something employers are responsible for. If you are self employed or a partner in a business, however, you will need to take responsibility for your own workers compensation insurance. For information on starting your own business, including workers compensation and personal injury insurance, visit the business.gov.au web site (see Related Links).
Your responsibilities
As an employee you have responsibilities in relation to workplace safety. These include:
- assisting to provide a safe workplace
- reporting possible causes of workplace accidents and injuries
- seeking medical attention if you are injured
- notifying your employer of the details of an injury
- participating in the activities of your injury management plan.
Accidents and injuries
If you are injured at work you should:
- report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
- record the details of your injury (this may be done by yourself or by someone acting on your behalf)
- seek appropriate medical treatment from an authorised provider
- check your rights and responsibilities with your state or territory workers compensation authority
- cooperate throughtout the implementation of your injury management plan and return to work plan.
Disclosure of disability and injury
An employer may ask you about an existing injury, disability or illness. In choosing whether to tell your employer about an existing condition, your employer only needs to know if it affects your ability to do the essential requirements of the job.
State and territory workplace safety authorities
If you have any questions about workers compensation, or you need other help, ask your employer, or check with your state or territory workplace safety authority.
The links below will take you to an external web site in a new window:
Australian Capital Territory—ACT WorkCover
New South Wales—WorkCover NSW
Northern Territory—NT WorkSafe
Queensland—WorkCover Queensland
South Australia—WorkCover South Australia
Tasmania—WorkCover Tasmania
Victoria—Victorian WorkCover Authority
Western Australia—WorkCover Western Australia