Planning a return to work – Rehabilitation and return to work plans
Getting back to work and to normal life is more likely to occur if a worker has input into their recovery and return to work planning early, in collaboration with their insurer, employer and treating health providers.
A rehabilitation and return to work plan (RRTW plan) is a written plan developed by an insurer that:
- outlines the rehabilitation objectives for an injured worker and the steps required to achieve these objectives
- is developed in consultation with a worker, their employer and treating health providers.
A RRTW plan is a roadmap to manage a worker’s recovery and return to work.
A RRTW plan is different to the suitable duties program that an employer will develop. A suitable duties program sits within a RRTW plan. See the suitable duties program page for more information.
How does a RRTW plan work?
A RRTW plan outlines how everyone will work together to get a worker back to work safely and quickly, and in a way that works for both a worker and their employer. It’s a planning tool that sets out the steps and key dates involved in a worker’s rehabilitation, and a communication tool that supports successful outcomes, so everyone is clear on their role, responsibilities and timeframes.
Workers’ compensation laws require an insurer to develop a RRTW plan for a worker within 10 business days of a claim being accepted and to maintain the plan as a worker recovers.
An insurer will work together with a worker and their employer and doctors to develop a RRTW plan.
A RRTW plan will be unique to each worker and their situation and not the same for every injury.
What goes into a RRTW plan?
A RRTW plan will consider a worker’s recovery goals, the steps to reach them, and how long it might take. It will set out who will do what to support a worker’s recovery, and what tasks a worker’s doctor or specialist says they can and can’t do. It will also include information about a worker’s injury and their treatment plan, and their capabilities and restrictions while they recover.
A RRTW plan could include:
- a worker’s contact details as well as the details of their support person (if they have one and consent to this) and rehabilitation and return to work coordinator
- the start and finish date of a suitable duties program
- rehabilitation and return to work goals
- any ongoing medical treatment
- the ‘stages’ of return to work as recommended by a treating doctor
- physical and psychological capacity to perform tasks/duties/hours/days
- specific work tasks/duties that should be avoided
- any other changes in a workplace that are required for support
- a date to review the RRTW plan.
A worker can request a copy of their RRTW plan from their insurer at any time during their claim.
Who is a RRTW plan shared with?
Once the RRTW plan is developed, a copy is shared with a worker and their employer and treating health providers. If the plan contains any personal information an insurer will obtain a worker’s consent (DOC, 0.06 MB) before sharing it.
If a worker or employer has questions about a RRTW plan, they should contact their insurer.
If a worker or employer does not receive help from their insurer about a RRTW plan, they can contact Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services.
Your insurer will place you at the centre of your RRTW planning, recovery and return to work. A RRTW plan is a way of communicating to all parties your roadmap to recovery and return to work.
Better practice is that your RRTW plan will be tailored to you and your needs with specific detail, strategies, stakeholder actions and your goals. This includes what your treating health providers say you can and can’t do, your recommended treatment and at what pace you can return to work.
What can you do to support your RRTW planning?
- be open and honest about how you are feeling and your goals.
- ask for help when you need it.
- keep your employer, insurer and treating health providers up to date with any progress and/or changes.
- take an active role in your RRTW plan and meet any commitments you make.
- work together with your employer, insurer and treating health providers if barriers arise.
Read more about your right and responsibilities.
Employers play a key role in return to work planning, and an employer’s attitude towards a returning worker can have a critical influence on return to work outcomes.
A worker’s tailored RRTW plan, which is developed and maintained by an insurer, is an important tool for you to play an active role and influence return to work outcomes. It helps you to work with a worker, their insurer, and a worker’s treating health providers towards a shared goal.
If possible, you should offer alternative work duties to support recovery at work. If this is not possible, you must let your insurer know why not. The suitable duties program you develop for a worker details how to do this and is a key component of a worker’s RRTW plan.
Early intervention programs where assistance and treatment are offered to a worker are also an opportunity to reduce long term workplace absences.
By supporting an injured worker through a RRTW plan to return to work quickly and safely, you will improve return to work outcomes for a worker, as well as improve productivity and reduce costs for your business. You will also meet your obligations.
Workers’ compensation laws put obligations on you to support rehabilitation and return to work (RRTW).
Read more information about how you can meet your obligations – Rehabilitation and return to work guidelines for insurers.