Workers Compensation in NSW — Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about the NSW workers compensation system — who is eligible, how to lodge a claim, your entitlements, and how the process works.
In This Guide
What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers compensation is a statutory insurance scheme that provides benefits to workers who are injured in the course of their employment. In NSW, the scheme is regulated by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) and governed primarily by the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998.
The scheme provides weekly payments to replace lost income, covers the cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation, and may provide lump sum compensation for permanent impairment. Approximately 111,000 new workers compensation claims are lodged in NSW each year.
Who Is Eligible?
You are eligible for workers compensation if you are a worker (employee) in NSW and you have sustained an injury that arose out of or in the course of your employment. This includes physical injuries (such as sprains, fractures, and musculoskeletal conditions), psychological injuries (such as work-related stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and occupational diseases (conditions caused by workplace exposure over time).
Contractors may also be eligible depending on the nature of their working arrangement. Volunteers are covered in certain circumstances.
How to Lodge a Claim
To lodge a workers compensation claim in NSW, you must notify your employer of your injury as soon as practicable. Your employer is then required to submit the claim to their workers compensation insurer. The claim form is lodged by the employer — not by you. However, you should ensure it is submitted promptly, as delays can affect your entitlements.
You will receive a claim number from the insurer, which you use for all medical appointments and treatment related to your injury.
Your Entitlements
Under the NSW workers compensation scheme, injured workers are entitled to weekly payments to replace lost wages, medical and hospital treatment, rehabilitation services, domestic assistance in certain cases, and lump sum compensation for permanent impairment.
Weekly Payments
Weekly payments are calculated as a percentage of your pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE). For the first 13 weeks, you receive 95% of PIAWE. From week 14 to week 130, this reduces to 80% if you have returned to work for at least 15 hours per week, or 80% of PIAWE minus your current earning capacity. After 130 weeks, entitlements are subject to further tests and may reduce or cease depending on the degree of your incapacity.
Medical and Treatment Expenses
Your insurer is required to pay for reasonably necessary medical treatment related to your work injury. This includes GP consultations, specialist appointments, physiotherapy, psychology, radiology, pathology, surgery, hospital admissions, and prescribed medications. Claims Doctor consultations are billed directly to your insurer at SIRA-gazetted rates — you do not pay out of pocket.
The Certificate of Capacity
The Certificate of Capacity is the primary medical document in your WorkCover claim. It records your doctor's assessment of your injury, work capacity, treatment recommendations, and return-to-work plan. Your insurer uses this certificate to process your weekly payments and approve treatment. Read our detailed Certificate of Capacity guide →
Return to Work
The NSW workers compensation system places strong emphasis on return to work. Your employer is required to provide suitable duties if they are available and consistent with your medical restrictions. Your doctor's return-to-work plan (on the Certificate of Capacity) guides what duties are appropriate. Learn about return-to-work plans →
Claim Disputes
If your claim is denied, your weekly payments are reduced, or you disagree with a decision by your insurer, you can request an internal review, apply to the Personal Injury Commission (PIC) for independent determination, or seek legal advice from a workers compensation lawyer. Strong, thorough medical documentation is critical to dispute resolution. Learn about second opinions →
How Claims Doctor Helps
Claims Doctor provides same-day telehealth consultations for injured workers in NSW. Your doctor issues your Certificate of Capacity during the video call, develops a return-to-work plan, and arranges referrals for treatment — all at $0 cost with a valid claim number. Learn about our WorkCover consultations →
Need a Certificate for Your Claim?
Same-day video consultation. Certificate issued during the call. $0 cost with a valid claim number.
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