Your Guide to Workcover Claims, Duration, and Accessing Supports
Brief overview of WorkCover Queensland
If you are injured at work in Queensland, you may be eligible to lodge a claim with Workcover Queensland. In the first instance of an injury, you should speak with your regular treating Doctor about your treatment options. In most cases, the Doctor will ask whether the injury occurred at work, on the way to or from work. If the above is relevant to you, and your treating Doctor does not ask about work, you as an individual can start that conversation.
The Workcover Queensland claims application process is relatively straight forward, I have included the link here to the claims page. Be sure to have the appropriate documentation ready before starting the claims process. The Workcover Queensland claims process from application lodgment to having your claim accepted can be quick and straight forward if the general nature of the injury is clear. If the injury is more complex or Workcover Queensland need to collect further collateral information, this can draw out the time for a claim outcome to be determined. It is important to note that not all claims for work related injuries are accepted by Workcover Queensland. There will be limitations, you as an individual are free to discuss these concerns or questions with Workcover Queensland directly, and it may be best to seek your own independent legal advice should you have further questions about any limitations relating to your claim.
Once you have lodged a claim application with Workcover Queensland, your claim will be pending. During this period, you may be eligible for some forms of treatment including psychology support by a Workcover Queensland registered provider psychologist. When speaking with Workcover Queensland you can ask what treatments are available to you while waiting for your claim to be approved. You can find registered providers by contacting your local psychology clinics directly.
When booking your first appointment, your psychologist will need a few things from you including your demographic information, full name that you provided to Workcover Queensland, your date of birth, and your Workcover Queensland claim number. Even if your claim is still pending, you will be provided with a claim number.
What is WorkCover Queensland?
Workcover Queensland is a state-based organisation with sole purpose to support workers injured on the job and provide compensation inform of medical expenses, rehabilitation, and in some instances lost wages while you are recovering.
Workcover Queensland covers workers injured in the workplace or travelling to and from work with exceptions about distance and additional stops along the way, for more information check the Workcover Queensland website here. Injuries can include physical, emotional, or a combination of both.
Steps to Lodge a Claim with WorkCover Queensland
- Step 1: Report the Injury
Seek medical attention from your regular Doctor and notify your employer as soon as possible. Notifying your employer of your intention to lodge a Workcover Queensland claim is part of the lodgment process. You may also need to complete incident reports for your workplace depending on their policies and procedures.
- Step 2: Lodge a Claim
Complete the lodgment forms here and provide all the required documentation within the timeframe set by Workcover Queensland.
- Step 3: Claim Assessment
Once you have lodged your claim and provided all your information to Workcover, your claim with undergo a review process. Your claim will be labelled as “Pending” until you are notified your claim is accepted or rejected. During this stage, you can access psychology supports and potentially other forms of treatment, you are best to check with your Workcover Queensland case manager as to what treatment you can access.
- Step 4: Compensation
Upon your claim being accepted you will be advised by Workcover Queensland what treatment they have approved for your injury and what compensation will cover, whether it is medical, wage loss, or other forms of treatment.
Claim Duration
- How Long Can You Be on WorkCover Queensland?
Well, it depends.. It depends on the injury you sustained, the severity of the injury, and your recovery time. The claim duration itself can be short or drawn out, again depending on the nature and cause of injury, the circumstances around the injury, the context the injury occurred in, are there any witnesses that need to provide statements?. Workcover will inform you what information they require beyond your initial claim paperwork. There are many contributing factors as to how long a claim decision can take, and then again, a different set of factors that determine how long you can be on Workcover. Your team of treating professionals including your Doctor and Workcover case manager will be the best people to guide you here.
- What Happens After my Claim is Approved?
Depending on your injury, Workcover will provide you an overview of supports to rehabilitate your injury.
Accessing Psychology Support With a Pending Claim
Psychology support is an important part of injury recovery and returning to work adjustments. Workcover Queensland support injured workers to seek support from Workcover registered provider psychologists in the local community.
To access psychology services, you do not need a referral, you will need your Workcover Queensland claim number at the time of booking your initial appointment. When you contact your local psychologist, you will need to ask reception if the psychologist is registered with Workcover Queensland. Not all psychologists are.
It is important to note, that while Workcover Queensland provides these supports for injured workers while their claim is pending, psychologists remain independent businesses from Workcover Queensland. This means, psychologists can and will bill you (the injured worker) directly for late cancellations and no shows. Workcover Queensland will not reimburse you for late cancellation fees or no shows. When meeting your psychologist, they will discuss their business guidelines around cancellations and no-shows with you and it will be on their consent forms.
Key Things to Know About WorkCover Queensland
Eligibility Criteria:
- Any worker in Queensland can lodge a Workcover claim provided your employer or company you contract to is a Queensland based business.
- You have notified your employer of your intent to lodge a claim.
Common Misconceptions:
- It is often believed that Workcover is only for injury in the workplace, it also includes travelling to and from work or between workplace sites.
- It is often believed Workcover is ‘bad’, this is not true. Workcover are there for the purpose of supporting injured workers and their claim managers want to help you. Give them a call.
- Many injured workers fear repercussions or retribution from their employer if they lodge a Workcover claim. In Australia, we have clear guidelines around FairWork practices and clear laws about bullying and harassment. While these fears are valid, it is important to know your rights as an injured worker.
Tips for a Successful Claim:
- Keep detailed records and a timeline of the event, medical visits, correspondence, the normal stuff.
- Manage your stress, this is statistically one of the most stressful times in your working life is injury or illness.
- Be polite, know your rights, and stay informed about your claim.
- Answer emails and return phone calls in a timely manner, your case manager is trying to help you. If in doubt or you are feeling overwhelmed, have your spouse or trusted friend external to the situation help proof read your responses.
- If in doubt, seek independent legal advice or support from your union.
In summary, seek medical attention and notify your employer as soon as you can following the injury or incident. Lodging a claim is a straight forward process, be sure to have all your documentation before you start. While your claim is pending, you can access some treatment including psychology support. If you need other intervention or support while your claim is pending, discuss this with your Workcover Queensland case manager. To find a psychologist that is registered with Workcover you can google psychologists in your local area, or phone your local psychology clinics. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during this process, we are all here to help.
Our Principal Psychologist, Shai is a registered psychology provider with Workcover Queensland. If you would like to make an appointment or if you have any other questions, you can call our administration team on 07 5616 2119 today. You can also book via our web portal booking page here.
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References
- FairWork Australia (2024.) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
- WorkCover QLD (2024). Claim Form. https://ols.workcoverqld.com.au/ols/public/claim/lodgement.wc
- WorkCover QLD (2024). Claims Process. https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/claims-and-insurance/compensation-claims/claim-process
