Workers Compensation in Australia: How to Make a Claim
Last updated: June 2026
How Workers Compensation Works
Workers compensation provides income support and medical coverage for injuries at work or work-related illness. It is compulsory: every employer must hold workers compensation insurance. The scheme is state-based: rules, benefits, and insurers differ by state.
What Is Covered
- Physical injuries caused by accidents at work
- Diseases or conditions caused or aggravated by your work (including psychological injuries)
- Journey claims (travelling directly between home and work, some restrictions apply)
- Injuries during authorised work activities away from the usual workplace
Pre-existing conditions can be covered if your work significantly contributed to or aggravated them.
How to Make a Claim
- Report the injury to your employer, most states require this within 30 days
- See a doctor and get a certificate of capacity describing your injury and work capacity
- Lodge a claim form with your employer or their insurer, the insurer typically has 21 days to accept or reject
- Provide ongoing certificates while you cannot work at full capacity
What Benefits You May Receive
Weekly payments: Based on pre-injury earnings, subject to caps. The rate typically steps down after 13 or 26 weeks.
Medical expenses: Reasonable medical, hospital, and rehabilitation costs.
Permanent impairment / lump sum: If your injury results in permanent impairment, assessed by an accredited medical practitioner.
Common law damages: If your employer's negligence caused your injury, you may pursue damages beyond the scheme, subject to thresholds that vary by state.
State Schemes
| State | Scheme |
|---|---|
| NSW | icare |
| VIC | WorkSafe Victoria |
| QLD | WorkCover Queensland |
| WA | WorkCover WA |
| SA | ReturnToWorkSA |
| TAS | WorkSafe Tasmania |
Key Points
- Report your injury within 30 days in most states
- You are entitled to weekly payments, medical expenses, and potentially a lump sum
- The scheme varies significantly by state
- If your claim is rejected, you can dispute, strict time limits apply