Table 6.1: Sections of workers’ compensation Acts and guidance material relating to return to work

 

Sections of the Act or regulations referring to return to work

Names and links to guidance material on return to work

New South Wales

s57- Worker to notify return to work etc with other employer Workers Compensation Act 1987 (‘the 1987 Act’).

Chapter 3, Workplace injury management Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (‘the 1998 Act’), Workers’ Compensation Regulation 2016

Part 5 - Return to work assistance

Part 6- Return-to-work programs under the 1998 Act

Part 7- Approval of workplace rehabilitation providers 

The Guidelines for workplace return to work programs (guidelines) outline employer obligations for handling work related injury and illness. These guidelines take effect on the 1st of March 2021. All employers in NSW must comply with these guidelines, which are issued and enforced by the NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), under section 52 of the 1998 Act.

 

SIRA also provides guidance material, information and resources on return to work including:

return to work coordination eLearning

workplace rehabilitation  

vocational rehabilitation programs funded by SIRA for workers and employers

Have you been injured at work tool

Small business assist tool

When a worker is injured: a workers compensation guide for employer

Victoria

Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013

s17 — Employer to keep register of injuries.

Part 4 — Return to Work

Division 1 — Preliminary

s96 — Definitions

s97 — Purpose

s98 — Application of Part

s99 — Obligations of employers and workers

s100 — Part does not derogate from other provisions in Act

s101 — Application of part

Division 2 — Obligations of employers

s102 — Flow chart 4 — return to work obligations of employers

s103 — Provide employment

s104 — Plan Return to Work

s105 — Consult about Return to Work

s106 — Return to Work Coordinator to be nominated

s107 — Make return to work information available

s108 — Employer to notify Authority of return to work of worker

s109 — Host to cooperate with labour hire employer

Division 3 — Obligation for workers

s110 — Flow chart 5 — return to work obligations of workers

s111 — Participate in planning for return to work

s112 — Use occupational rehabilitation services

s113 — Participate in assessments

s114 — Return to work

s115 — Participate in an interview

Division 4 — Termination of compensation

s116 — Failure to comply with Division 3

s117 — Notification of return to work

Division 5 — General Provisions

s118 — Resolution of return to work issues

s119 — Information about the employer obligation period

s120 — Authority may be given

s121 — Compliance Codes

s122 — Disallowance of certain compliance code orders

s123 — Effect of Compliance Code

s124 — Effect of compliance with compliance codes

s125 — Functions of Authority in respect of compliance codes

Division 6 — Return to Work Inspectorate (s126 and s127)

Division 7 — Functions and powers of inspectors (s128 to s145)

Division 8 — Offences (s146 to s148)

Division 9 — Review of decisions (s149 to s151)

s222 — Commission or self-insurer may pay for rehabilitation services

s224 — Compensation for medical and like services

s575 — Offence to engage in discriminatory conduct

s609 — Directions issued by the Minister

s610 — Directions given for the purposes of Part 4

Labour hire and return to work — information for employers

Return to work coordination the basics you need to know

Returning to work guide for injured workers

Steps to resolving return to work issues

What to do if a worker is injured — a guide for employer

Suitable employment for injured workers — a step by step guide to assessing suitable employment options

Information for employers — compliance codes

Information for employers — Return to Work Coordinator fact sheet

Return to Work Compliance codes 1

Return to Work Compliance codes 2

Return to Work Compliance codes 3

Return to Work Compliance codes 4

Return to work: The sooner, the better

Return to Work Obligations: Information for Employers

 

 

 

Queensland

 

  • Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 s220 — Insurer’s responsibility for rehabilitation
  • s228 — Employer’s obligation to assist or provide rehabilitation.
  • Reg s116 Standard for rehabilitation

 

Guidelines for Standard for Rehabilitation

Benefits of early return to work

Roles and responsibilities

Rehabilitation and return to work plan

Suitable duties

Return to work barriers

Recover at Work program

Finding an alternative role

Template Workplace Rehabilitation Policy and Procedures

Western Australia

Workers’ Compensation Code of Practice (Injury Management) 2005: cl1–9; Act — s3, s5(1), s64, s65, s72B, s84AA(1), s84AB, Part IX, Part IXA

Publications:

Injury Management: A Guide for Employers

Workers’ Compensation Code of Practice (Injury Management) 2005

Template Return to Work Program

WorkCover WA Workplace Rehabilitation Providers Principles and Standards of Practice

HWCA Principles of Practice for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers

Website info:

Returning to work: Workers

Returning to work: Employers

List of approved workplace rehabilitation provider

South Australia

Return to Work Act 2014

s3 — Objects of the Act

s13(2)(a) — The Corporation

s15(3) — Workers

s17(2) — Employers

s18 — Employer’s duty to provide work

ss 23 and 24 — Early intervention, recovery and return to work services

s25 — Recovery/return to work plans

s26 — Return to work co-ordinators

s43 — Return to work obligations of worker

s52 — Reports of return to work etc

Return to Work Regulations 2015

Part 3 — Recovery and Return to Work

Recovery/return to work plan

Return to work coordinators

Tasmania

Part XI of the Workers’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 deals with injury management

Getting back to work after an injury

Getting your worker back to work

The benefits of returning to work

Injury Management: Making it work

Preparing Return to Work Plans

Preparing Injury Management Plans

Guideline for preparing return to work plans and injury management plans

The Role of the Primary Treating Medical Practitioner

 

 

 

See also workers compensation forms and guides.

Northern Territory

s2 — Objects of the Act

s3 — rehabilitation, in relation to an injured worker, means a process designed to ensure the worker’s return to work as soon as practicable

s50 — Accredited vocational rehabilitation providers

s75A — Employer to assist injured worker to find suitable employment

s75B — Worker to undertake reasonable treatment and training, or assessment

s76 — Rehabilitation training and workplace modification

s78B — Lump sum agreement for particular period

s90 — Return to work

Publications:

Employers guide to workers compensation

Workers guide to workers compensation

 

 

Videos:

Returning to work – guide for workers – video

Returning to work – guide for employers – video

Role of a rehabilitation provider - video

Website info:

Returning to work: Employers

Returning to work: Workers

Return to work plan

Australian Capital Territory

Chapter 5 of the Workers’ Compensation Act 1951

Chapter 5 of the Workers’ Compensation Act 1951

C’wealth Comcare

 

 

  • Division 3
    • s36 Assessment of capability of undertaking rehabilitation program s37 Provision of rehabilitation programs
    • s38 Review of certain determinations by Comcare
    • s39 Compensation payable in respect of certain alterations etc.
    • s40 Duty to provide suitable employment
    • s41 Rehabilitation authorities to comply with guidelines
    • s41A Delegation by rehabilitation authority

 

Rehabilitation case manager core capabilities

Guidelines for Rehabilitation Authorities (2019)

Rehabilitation case manager handbook

Infographic

Back to work, Back to team

Rehabilitation Case

Manager - First Steps

Getting you back to work

C’wealth Seacare

 

  • Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 —Part 3
    • s48 Approved rehabilitation program providers
    • s49 Assessment of capability of undertaking rehabilitation programs
    • s50 Provision of rehabilitation programs
    • s51 Compensation payable in respect to certain alterations, etc
    • s52 Duty to provide suitable employment

 

A best practice guide Seafarers Rehabilitation and Return to Work

C’wealth DVA

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 — Chapter 3

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 — Part III

Rehabilitation services in DVA

New Zealand

Accident Compensation Act 2001 — ss70–113