Getting workers’ compensation information should be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Best practice

People know their rights and responsibilities if they are injured at work and can easily access workers’ compensation claim and lodgement information.

Why this is important

Research shows that:

• return to work outcomes are improved when workers receive immediate support from their employer if they are injured at work, or at the first sign of injury or illness¹
• workers who understand the workers’ compensation claim process and their rights and responsibilities can advocate for themselves better, have a more positive claim experience and better return to work outcomes²
• workers who perceive injustice or feel they have not been adequately supported throughout a claim may be more likely to pursue a common law claim³.

Your toolkit

Follow these three steps to achieve best practice in your workplace:

1. Ensure your return to work policies, procedures and practices are regularly reviewed and updated, and that any changes are communicated to workers.
   • Tip: Review our resources on how to make a claim to ensure your recommended information and processes are up-to-date.
2. Keep workers’ compensation and claim information in one location and make sure that workers know where it is and can easily access it. Include:
   • copies of insurer claim forms and useful information
   • an up-to-date list of key contacts (rehabilitation and return to work coordinator, employer and supervisor) so workers can notify the right people as soon as an incident occurs.
3. Ensure you understand the different roles and responsibilities of the employer and worker after a work-related injury by reviewing WorkCover Queensland’s how to guides.

[1] Safe Work Australia, 2019, ‘National return to work strategy 2020-2030’ p.30
[2] Safe Work Australia, 2019, ‘National return to work strategy 2020-2030’ p.22
[3] Monash University, 2018, ‘Best practice statement: Risk factor identification for delayed return to work’ p.42