Rehabilitation roles and responsibilities
The recovery and return to work process after a work-related injury or illness is a team effort. Working together is key when it comes to getting a worker back to work and life back to normal.
People who will support a worker’s rehabilitation and return to work include their employer, supervisor, doctor and other treating health providers, and insurer. Workplace specialists like workplace rehabilitation providers and rehabilitation and return to work coordinators will be involved too.
Working as a team means any challenges can be discussed and solved together.
As a worker
You should be involved with the planning of your return to work from the start. This increases the likelihood that your recovery and return to work will be a success. As well as focusing on getting better, setting goals for returning to your normal job is an important step.
Your insurer will work with you to develop a rehabilitation and return to work plan that is focused on your specific goals and sets out your path to recovery. You can request a copy of your plan from them at any time during your claim.
You should also communicate openly and honestly about your injury and how you are feeling.
Your full responsibilities can be found on our Worker commitments page.
As an employer
Most importantly, you need to support your worker in returning to work. By understanding their injury and being prepared to be flexible, you can strike a balance between doing what’s right for your worker and what’s good for your business.
You can find your full responsibilities on our Employer obligations page.
Who else is involved?
Other people likely to be involved in a worker’s rehabilitation and recovery are:
- worker’s supervisor
- rehabilitation and return to work coordinator
- insurer: WorkCover Queensland or a self-insurer
- treating health providers
- workplace rehabilitation providers.
To see what these people are required to do, see Other roles in your rehabilitation.
More information
Understanding rehabilitation and return to work terms, roles and responsibilities (PDF, 1.08 MB) establishes a consistent understanding of rehabilitation and return to work terminology, roles, and responsibilities for all scheme stakeholders.