Certificate of Capacity — Issued Same Day

What Is a Certificate of Capacity?

A Certificate of Capacity is the primary medical document used in the NSW workers compensation system. Issued under the Workers Compensation Act 1987, it records your treating doctor's assessment of your injury, diagnosis, current capacity for work, treatment recommendations, and return-to-work plan.

Your insurer uses the Certificate of Capacity to determine your entitlement to weekly payments, approve medical and allied health treatment, and coordinate your return to work with your employer.

Why It Matters

Without a current Certificate of Capacity, your weekly payments can be suspended. Your insurer cannot approve treatment. Your employer cannot implement a return-to-work plan. The certificate is the single most important document in your claim — and delays in getting one issued or renewed are the most common cause of claim disruption.

What the Certificate Contains

• Patient details: Your name, date of birth, claim number, employer, and insurer.
• Diagnosis: Your doctor's clinical diagnosis of your work injury.
• Work capacity: Whether you have no current work capacity, are fit for modified/alternative duties (suitable duties), or are fit for pre-injury duties.
• Restrictions: Specific physical or cognitive restrictions that affect your ability to work.
• Treatment plan: Recommended treatment including physiotherapy, psychology, medication, imaging, or specialist referrals.
• Return-to-work plan: A plan outlining how you can progressively return to your normal duties.
• Review date: When your next certificate review is due (typically 2–4 weeks).

How Often Do You Need a New Certificate?

Your Certificate of Capacity must be renewed before the review date listed on your current certificate. This is typically every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your injury. If your certificate lapses (expires without renewal), your insurer may suspend your weekly payments until a new one is provided.

Claims Doctor schedules your follow-up appointment at the end of each consultation so your certificate never lapses.

The One-Off Certificate Fee

SIRA allows a one-off fee of $56.20 + GST (code WCO001) for the initial Certificate of Capacity on a new claim. This is billed to your insurer — not to you. Subsequent certificate renewals do not attract this fee; they are included in the standard consultation fee.

Common Problems We Solve

• Certificate rejected by insurer: Incomplete certificates, wrong templates, or missing information. Claims Doctor uses the current SIRA template with correct AMA codes every time.
• GP unfamiliar with SIRA requirements: Many GPs rarely complete Certificates of Capacity and are unfamiliar with what insurers need. Our doctors specialise in this documentation.
• Delays in getting an appointment: GP wait times of days or weeks mean your certificate expires. Claims Doctor offers same-day consultations.
• Certificate doesn't reflect your actual capacity: Poorly completed certificates can understate or overstate your work capacity, affecting your payments and return-to-work plan.