If you’re an employee in Queensland and you’re injured at work, or become ill because of your work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation through WorkCover Queensland.

What is worker’s compensation?

Worker’s compensation is a system in Australia that provides financial and other assistance to workers who are injured at work. The system is designed to help workers return to work and to support them and their families while they cannot work. Workers’ compensation is not a safety net – it is designed to help workers who have been injured at work, and to help them return to work.

What is WorkCover Queensland?

WorkCover is a Queensland Government-owned, not-for-profit organization that provides insurance cover to most Queensland employers and workers.

WorkCover’s main role is to protect Queensland workers by:

• Providing insurance cover to employers 
• Managing claims for workers injured at work 
• Providing return-to-work services to help injured workers recover and return to work 
• Educating employers and workers about work health and safety.

What type of benefits or assistance does WorkCover Queensland provide?

WorkCover Queensland provides a range of benefits to injured workers and their families, including: 

• Financial assistance

Workers who are incapable to return to work as a result of their injuries or illnesses may be eligible for weekly payments and/or lump-sum settlements.

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses

Workers may be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable medical and rehabilitation expenses incurred as a result of their injuries or illnesses. 

• Return to work assistance

Workers may be eligible for assistance to return to work, including income support, workplace modifications, and vocational rehabilitation. 

• Death benefits

Dependents of deceased workers who died as a result of their injuries or illnesses may be eligible for lump-sum payments and/or long-term financial aid.

Who are eligible to receive worker’s compensation in WorkCover QLD?

Workers who are injured at work, or who contract an occupational disease at work, may be eligible for workers’ compensation under the WorkCover Queensland scheme. In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation, workers must: 

• be employed in Queensland;
• be covered by the WorkCover Queensland scheme;
• have sustained an injury at work, or contracted an occupational disease at work; and
• have been unable to work as a result of their injury or disease.

If you are a worker in Queensland and you have been injured at work, or have contracted an occupational disease at work, you should contact WorkCover Queensland to discuss your eligibility for workers’ compensation.

What are the steps to receive WorkCover claim?

Here are the steps you need to take to make a claim for workers’ compensation in Queensland: 

1. Notify your employer 

As soon as you are injured, you need to let your employer know. This can be done verbally or in writing. Your employer then has seven days to lodge a claim with WorkCover Queensland. 

2. Lodge a claim with WorkCover Queensland

If your employer does not lodge a claim within seven days, you can lodge a claim yourself. You can do this online, over the phone, or in person. 

You will need to provide: 

• Your contact details 
• Your employer’s contact details 
• Details of your injury 
• When and where the injury occurred 

3. See a doctor 

You will need to see a doctor as soon as possible after your injury to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. You can see your regular GP or a doctor appointed by WorkCover Queensland. 

4. Return to work 

You can return to work after being cleared by your doctor. If you are not able to return to your pre-injury job, your employer must provide you with suitable alternative employment. 

5. Ongoing support 

If you need ongoing support, WorkCover Queensland can provide you with a range of services, including rehabilitation, counseling, and case management.

How can I contact WorkCover Queensland?

If you have been in a work-related accident, you may be able to claim workers’ compensation through WorkCover Queensland. Hiring a lawyer, like Workers Compensation Helpline, is another option.

To start a claim, you will need to lodge a Notice of Claim form with WorkCover within 30 days of the date of injury. 

You can Lodge your Notice of Claim form either online or in person: 

• Online  – https://ols.workcoverqld.com.au/ols/public/claim/lodgement.wc
• In person at a WorkCover office  – 280 Adelaide St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
• By phone  – 1300 362 128

Once WorkCover has received your Notice of Claim form, they will contact your employer to advise them of the claim and to request information about the incident. 

If your claim is accepted, WorkCover will provide you with a claim number and will pay your weekly benefits. You will also be provided with information about return to work and rehabilitation.

If you have any questions or need help with your claim, you can contact WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128.…