WorkCover Queensland's My Recovery Plan
When a claim is accepted, WorkCover develops a My Recovery Plan with the worker, their employer and their treatment providers.
The plan supports recovery and a safe return to work and keeps everyone on the same page.
About the My Recovery Plan
The My Recovery Plan is a written plan that explains:
- who is involved in a worker’s recovery
- how they will work together to support the worker’s recovery and return to work.
WorkCover takes a person-centred approach when developing the plan. This means it's tailored to the worker, their injury, and their situation.
What's changed?
The My Recovery Plan replaces the Rehabilitation and Return to Work (RRTW) plan.
The new plan:
- is shorter and easier to read
- shows clear next steps
- includes return-to-work and lifestyle goals, where relevant
- helps workers, employers and treatment providers stay aligned.
The change does not affect worker entitlements or the process. The plan is simply clearer and easier to use.
How WorkCover develops and shares the plan
WorkCover develops a My Recovery Plan within 10 business days of a worker’s claim being accepted.
We build the plan in consultation with:
- the worker
- the employer, and
- the treatment providers.
After consultation, and within this timeframe, WorkCover will email the plan to all parties so everyone can review it and provide feedback.
WorkCover will update the plan as recovery, treatment, or work capacity changes.
WorkCover must share the plan
Under workers’ compensation laws, WorkCover must share the My Recovery Plan with those involved in the worker’s care.
The plan only includes information that relates to the worker’s recovery and return to work.
What are my responsibilities?
Everyone involved plays a role in using the My Recovery Plan to support recovery and return to work.
Workers should:
- save the My Recovery Plan to their phone or print a copy
- check the plan and confirm it reflects their current situation
- contact their WorkCover claims manager if the plan needs to be changed
- bring the plan to medical appointments and meetings with their employer
- use the plan to understand the next steps in their recovery and return to work.
Employers and supervisors should:
- use the My Recovery Plan to guide conversations with the worker about recovery and return to work, and to support workplace planning
- keep using any existing return-to-work or suitable duties plans already in place. The My Recovery Plan works alongside these.
- tell WorkCover if anything changes at work that could affect recovery or return to work. This includes changes to the workplace or work duties. WorkCover will update the My Recovery Plan to reflect these changes.
Treatment providers need to:
- use the My Recovery Plan to support treatment and recovery planning
- tell WorkCover if work capacity or treatment changes
- share feedback when the plan needs updating.
Updating or approving the plan
Treatment providers don’t need to:
- approve or sign the My Recovery Plan, or
- update the plan themselves.
Suggesting updates to the plan
After discussing recovery with their patient, they can share feedback or recommendations with WorkCover about:
- their patient’s goals
- diagnosis or treatment
- capacity for work
- return-to-work planning.
WorkCover will use this feedback to update the plan where needed.
Billing for contribution
When treatment providers can invoice
Treatment providers may invoice WorkCover when they share written or verbal feedback or recommendations to help update a worker’s My Recovery Plan.
They must discuss any recommendations with the worker first.
Use Communication item numbers from the relevant Table of Costs to invoice for this.
When treatment providers can't invoice
Treatment providers can’t invoice WorkCover for:
- reading or reviewing the worker’s My Recovery Plan
- discussing the plan with the worker during a consultation.
These activities form part of routine clinical care and are covered under Consultation item numbers in the relevant Table of Costs.
For the latest item codes and fees, visit our Fees page.
The WorkCover claims manager:
- develops, reviews and updates the My Recovery Plan
- keeps everyone informed of changes
- makes sure the plan reflects current recovery and return to work arrangements.
Find out about all roles and responsibilities in a claim here.
What goes into a My Recovery Plan
Each My Recovery Plan reflects the worker’s needs and recovery goals.
It can include:
- the worker’s details, including their job and work capacity
- who their employer is
- the WorkCover claim number and claims manager
- details of treating health and rehabilitation providers
- the worker’s injury details, including their:
- diagnosis
- restrictions, and
- treatment.
- any work and lifestyle goals
- short-term milestones
- the date the plan will be reviewed.
FAQs
No. Feedback is optional.
If no one requests changes, the plan stays the same until something changes.
To share feedback or request an update, contact the WorkCover claims manager listed on the plan.
No. A suitable duties program sets out:
- the duties a worker will perform while recovering
- how long the worker will perform those duties
- how duties may change over time.
The My Recovery Plan focuses on the worker’s recovery. It sets out their treatment, work and lifestyle goals, and should complement the employer’s suitable duties program.