Workers > What next? > What your employer pays

What your employer pays

The company that employs you is responsible for paying your first two weeks’ income maintenance unless your employer notifies WorkCover within two business days of the injury occurring. In this case, WorkCover will make the payments. Payments will start (in most cases) within seven days, unless a 'reasonable excuse'1 not to pay applies or the mandatory information has not been provided. Once payments start, you will usually be paid in line with the normal pay cycle of your employer.

If you are off work for longer than two weeks because of your injury, your employer may continue to pay you (they get reimbursed by Employers Mutual). In some cases, Employers Mutual may agree to pay you directly. However, your boss should check these arrangements with Employers Mutual.

If you work for a self-insured employer, they will pay your income maintenance directly.

 

1 Reasonable excuses are outlined in the Provisional Payment Guidelines published by the Minister for Industrial Relations.

Worker rights and responsibilities

You have a right to:

  • make a claim for compensation or provisional weekly payments
  • choose your doctor
  • have someone else there at any meeting to talk about your claim
  • have all personal information kept confidential
  • get advice before signing anything
  • get a copy of all medical reports about your claim
  • get a copy of your rehabilitation and return to work plan and be included in its preparation
  • have reasonable out-of-pocket expenses paid within 14 days
  • an interpreter
  • an advocate.

You have a responsibility to:

  • report the injury to your boss as soon as possible
  • get treatment for your injury
  • give your boss a WorkCover Medical Certificate if you have time off from work and/or make a claim
  • be actively involved in your treatment and rehabilitation and comply with the requirements of a rehabilitation and return to work plan
  • do suitable tasks your doctor says you are fit to do
  • attend an examination by a doctor or workplace rehabilitation consultant nominated by your case manager (for an assessment only).

Employer rights and responsibilities

Employers have a right to ask the case manager to:

  • review a claim if they believe that weekly payments to a worker should be stopped or reduced
  • arrange for an injured worker to attend an examination by a recognised medical expert
  • provide copies of medical reports upon written request and ask for a report on an injured worker’s medical progress and incapacity for work
  • request a review of decisions made about the claim
  • take into consideration any other relevant factors.

Employers have a responsibility to:

  • provide a safe working environment
  • provide safe, suitable work and be actively involved in an injured worker’s rehabilitation
  • comply with the requirements of their worker's rehabilitation and return to work plan
  • keep in touch with the case manager until the injured worker is doing their normal work and normal hours. (This includes notifying the case manager if there is any change in type of work or hours.)

 

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Did you know?
Your employer has certain legal obligations, including working cooperatively with the case manager to get you back to normal work. If you have any concerns about your employer, talk to your case manager.