WorkCover Weekly Payments — Explained
Understanding your WorkCover weekly payment entitlements — what you receive, when it changes, and what affects your payments.
In This Guide
How Weekly Payments Work
WorkCover weekly payments are income replacement payments made to injured workers who have no capacity or reduced capacity for work as a result of their injury. Payments are calculated as a percentage of your pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE) and vary depending on how long you have been receiving benefits and your current work capacity.
Payment Rates
| Period | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–13 | 95% of PIAWE | Minus any current earnings from suitable duties |
| Weeks 14–130 | 80% of PIAWE | If working 15+ hours/week in suitable duties |
| Weeks 14–130 | 80% of PIAWE | Minus current earning capacity if not working suitable duties |
| After 130 weeks | Subject to work capacity decision | May reduce or cease — see below |
Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings (PIAWE)
PIAWE is calculated based on your earnings in the 52 weeks before your injury, including base salary, overtime, allowances, and certain other payments. It is subject to a statutory maximum that is indexed annually. If you worked irregular hours, the calculation may use an averaging method across the relevant period.
What Affects Your Payments
Your weekly payments are directly affected by your Certificate of Capacity. If your certificate indicates total incapacity for work, you receive the full payment rate. If it indicates capacity for modified duties, your payments may be adjusted based on your current earning capacity. This is why accurate, thorough Certificates of Capacity are critical.
After 130 Weeks
At 130 weeks, your insurer conducts a work capacity decision to determine whether you are entitled to ongoing weekly payments. To continue receiving payments after 130 weeks, you must be unable to work more than 15 hours per week. The threshold is higher than the earlier period, and many workers see their payments reduced or ceased at this point.
How Claims Doctor Helps
Claims Doctor ensures your Certificate of Capacity accurately reflects your work capacity, which directly impacts your weekly payments. We issue certificates that are detailed, defensible, and consistent — reducing the risk of insurer disputes about your entitlements.
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