In most cases payments will commence within seven days of notification to the insurer. These payments are designed to reduce the impact of injury and illness, but do not mean an admission of liability by the insurer or employer. If payments have not been started, talk to your employer and ask them to talk to their workers compensation insurer.

If, at any stage, you have queries about your weekly benefits contact the insurer and speak to the case manager coordinating your claim.

If there is a problem, call the WorkCover Assistance Service on 13 10 50.

You can also request that an Interim Payment Direction be issued by the Workers Compensation Commission for weekly compensation and/or payment of medical expenses, if seven days after the insurer has been notified of your injury:

• no decision has been made by the insurer to commence payments, or
• the insurer has not provided you with a 'reasonable excuse' for not commencing payments.

Once again, these payments in accordance with an Interim Payment Direction do not mean an admission of liability by the insurer or employer.

The Workers Compensation Commission may be contacted on 1300 368 040.

If payments are going to be delayed, ask your employer if you can use sick leave or holiday leave in the meantime. Once the payments commence, your leave should be reinstated. This is a temporary measure, and your leave should not be used instead of workers compensation for work-related injury.