Working together to support recovery
Planning a worker’s recovery takes input from several people – a worker, their employer and treating health providers and more. It’s vital that everybody works together to understand what's needed and to get the right results.
An injured worker knows their situation best. Their doctor or specialist knows the right course of treatment for their injury or illness. A worker and their doctor or specialist will decide together what support a worker needs to help them achieve their return to work goals and then discuss this with a worker’s employer.
There must be good communication from the start. For a worker, this means taking an active part in planning their recovery and return to work and being open about how they’re feeling and what their return to work goals are. A worker’s doctor will be clear about treatment, and their employer will be open about what they can offer in the workplace.
When an insurer is helping a worker and their employer with a worker’s claim and recovery, they will tailor the process to a worker’s individual needs. This makes sure a worker feels understood and supported and is called a person-centred approach.
An insurer will work with a worker and their employer and treating health providers to develop a rehabilitation and return to work plan that is focused on a worker’s specific goals and sets out their path to recovery. Read more about rehabilitation and return to work plans.
Additional support
There are free, independent, confidential and expert support and advisory services that available to workers and people making a claim, and employers navigating the workers’ compensation scheme:
- Workers’ Psychological Support Service - A callback support service where Queenslanders who are struggling psychologically due to an injury at work can access support from a social worker. Call 1800 370 732 (during business hours), email info@wpss.org.au or visit the WPSS. Please note, this is not a crisis service. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call Lifeline any time on 13 11 14. If life is in immediate danger call 000.
- Workers’ Compensation Information and Advisory Service for Employers - Call 1300 365 855, email advice@wcias.com.au or visit the WCIAS for Employers.
- Workers' Compensation Information and Advisory Services for Workers – Call 1800 102 166 or visit the website to submit a query online.