WorkCover - New South Wales

If you suffer an injury at work, you must:

• tell the employer, as soon as possible, that you are injured and how long you will be off work. If you have an illness that you believe is work related, you should report it as soon as you become aware of it. Notification of an injury can be written or verbal
• inform the employer of your injury If you plan to leave your job voluntarily eg. if you resign, inform the employer of your injury before you leave
• record the details of the injury in the Register of Injuries if there is one in your workplace
• see your doctor and have them complete a WorkCover medical certificate. Give this to your employer and attach any bills or receipts for treatment
• ask your employer to notify their workers compensation insurer of your injury. You will be asked some details and given a notification number from the insurer
• in some cases, you may have to complete a workers compensation claim form. Return this to your employer, along with any other documents the insurer may request.
• have the right to nominate a treating doctor who will actively manage your injury in consultation with your employer and the insurer, if you suffered a 'significant injury'
• ensure that your employer has notified their insurer within two days and forwarded the associated documents to the insurer within seven days
• discuss a return-to-work plan with your employer. Large employers have a staff return-to-work coordinator whose job is to assist injured workers return to work
• speak with the insurer who will contact you within three days of receiving your employer's advice to discuss your treatment needs and to develop a cooperative injury management plan with your doctor, your employer or rehabilitation service provider.
• comply with the agreed injury management plan and take all reasonable efforts to return to work as soon as possible. If you fail to comply with any of the above obligations, the insurer can suspend weekly benefit payments.

The return-to-work plan will include details of the treatment required for the injury, when you can return to work, identify suitable duties you can perform in lieu of your normal duties and whether an employer can make these duties available.

The insurer is then able to pay for medical and other treatment expenses included in this plan.