Work capacity certificate - medical providers
A work capacity certificate helps insurers decide and manage workers' compensation claims and can be submitted online by a medical practitioner on behalf of an injured worker.
You must be an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered medical doctor, nurse practitioner (minor injury) or dentist (oral injury) to issue a valid work capacity certificate.
The information you provide on a work capacity certificate tells an insurer relevant medical information about your patient's injury. It includes:
- diagnosis
- work capacity
- information about rehabilitation that can help inform a rehabilitation and return to work plan and suitable duties program
- timeframes of when treatment and rehabilitation is likely to be complete
- a clearance certificate stating a work-related injury has resolved or that a worker has a full capacity for work.
Workers’ compensation claim applications aren't valid without a complete and current work capacity certificate.
How to access the certificate
This certificate should only be downloaded and completed by an AHPRA registered medical doctor, dentist (oral injury) or nurse practitioner (minor injury).
- Download the form (PDF, 0.2 MB)
- order a hardcopy book via phone 07 3888 2488
- download a rich-text format (RTF) (RTF, 0.25 MB) to input into medical software programs.
How to fill it out
Providing your patient with a work capacity certificate shows they have an injury that occurred at work and means they can make a claim with their workers’ compensation insurer (WorkCover Queensland or a self-insurer).
These guidelines (PDF, 0.04 MB) and this video will help you complete the certificate. Specific advice about completing a certificate for work-related psychological injuries is also available in this video.
Certificates need to be provided at the time of consultation. Backdated certificates are only considered when:
- a certificate is issued after a consultation for the same injury, with the date and details of the prior consultation also included
- you're satisfied that, on the dates listed, the worker would've needed medical treatment and/or was incapacitated for work because of the work-related injury.
Focus on capacity
Telling an insurer what a person is able to do, rather than what they can't, helps with planning a return to work and suitable duties. This supports a timely and safe return to work.
Submitting a work capacity certificate to an insurer
You can submit a work capacity certificate to an insurer on behalf of a worker with their consent.
Who uses the certificate?
The certificate is used as a communication tool by the rehabilitation and return to work team. This team includes you, a worker and their insurer, employer, treating health provider/s and other stakeholders.
Insurers use it to:
- decide and manage the workers’ compensation claim
- know what type of treatment and rehabilitation is needed to support recovery and return to work
- identify and align suitable duties to the worker's injuries.
Employers use it to:
- understand their worker’s injury
- assist in identifying suitable duties.
Workers use it to:
- understand their injury, timeframes and treatment required.
Provide your feedback
Email feedback about the work capacity certificate to wcr.education@oir.qld.gov.au.