Work Injury FAQ

1. What should I do if I'm injured at work?

The first thing to do is to report the injury to your line manager who will advise next steps or what options may be available to you. Also ensure that you see your GP as soon as possible to obtain a Work Capacity Certificate, and if needed to lodge a Workcover claim. Be sure to document all the areas that have been affected by the accident, even if they feel insignificant or unrelated at the time. The claim coverage will be determined by what is recorded in your medical documentation and with your employer.

2. Does my injury have to happen at work to be covered?

Generally, the injury must usually happen at your workplace or as a part of your day-to-day working. In Queensland, injuries on the way to or back from work (including a road traffic accidents) are considered work injuries and rehabilitation will be funded by WorkCover Queensland.

Can I choose my own physiotherapist?

Yes. You have the right to choose your physiotherapist rather than using a provider recommended by your employer or insurer. Communication is key to ensuring a good outcome for your work injury, so it is worth asking your chosen physiotherapist around what structures they have in place to communicate back with both work cover, your GP and your employers. At Restorativ Physiotherapy, we have pride ourselves on timely communications across everyone involved in the case.

4. Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?

If you would like to receive funding from work cover Queensland or from your employer if they have an early intervention physio program, you will need to have a GP referral as this will form the basis of your claim.

5. Will WorkCover pay for physiotherapy?

If your claim is accepted by WorkCover Queensland and your employer, your physio treatment will be covered. At Restorativ Physiotherapy, we will bill Workcover or your employers directly, meaning there are no out of pocket costs incurred by yourself.

6. How soon should I start physiotherapy after a workplace injury?

Early treatment often leads to better recovery outcomes and may reduce time away from work. It is best to start physio as soon as your GP or Surgeon deems it appropriate. For minor injuries like sprains, this can be immediate while for other more serious injuries, particularly where surgery has been performed, there can be a wait time.

7. What injuries can physiotherapy help treat?

Common workplace injuries we see are shoulder injuries, knee injuries, back and neck pain, sprains, strains, and repetitive strain injuries. Restorativ Physio is the preferred Physiotherapists for several knee and shoulder surgeons in the North Gold Coast. Surgical rehabilitation and work injuries are a key focus area for us at Restorativ Physio

8. How many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This depends on several things and will vary depending on the nature and severity of your injury, if you have had surgical intervention, your individual response to treatment, job demands, recovery goals. At Restorativ Physio we ongoingly monitor your progress through objective testing and will manage your treatment and rehab plan to best support your recovery.

9. What happens at my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your physiotherapist will assess your injury, discuss your job demands, establish goals, and develop a treatment plan. All our physios have years of experience so you can rest assured that you are receiving an individualised treatment plan rather than a set injury protocol.

10. Can I start treatment before my claim is approved?

You can start your treatment before the claim is approved but may need to pay for it privately and then claim it back form Work cover. Often, it can take some time to get a claim up and running with Workcover Queensland. Usually, provided you have a GP referral and are confident that your claim will be approved with no objections, we will be happy to start treating you.

11. How long does it take for a WorkCover claim to be approved?

Approval times vary depending on the complexity of the claim and the information available. A claim will usually be up and running within 7 days of lodging, often less. It is really important that you provide all the documentation that work cover Queensland and your employer needs. Often claim approval is held up because Workcover is missing minor details like your TFN or an employer declaration. We advise that you regularly speak to your employers and work cover especially when the claim is being opened, to help ensure everything goes smoothly.

12. What if my claim is rejected?

You may be able to seek a review of the decision or obtain further advice regarding your options. More information on this can be found on the Workcover Queensland website

13. Can I continue working while injured?

Depending on what roles are available at your work, you can often keep working in either light duties or reduced hours. Actively participating in work while injured will make your return to work easier and have a favourable impact on your recovery.

14. What are suitable duties?

Suitable duties are modified tasks that match your current physical capabilities and restrictions. They are often duties which you would usually undertake but adapted to ensure you don’t aggravate the injury. Your physio will perform objective tests to work out what your limitations are. At Restorativ Physio, we communicate this information back to your treating GP regularly, to ensure your work capacity certificate accurately reflect this.