After you submit your worker's claim

Information about what happens and the steps you should take after you submit your worker's claim.

Claim processing timeframes

Your WorkSafe agent (agent) will let you know within 28 calendar days of receiving the 'Worker's injury claim form' if the claim has been accepted.

Your agent will let you know if your worker is entitled to provisional payments for a mental injury. You'll be notified within 2 business days of receiving the 'Worker's injury claim form' Part A.

Plan your worker's return to work

Speak to your worker about what tasks they can do at work. Try to find alternative tasks and duties that your worker will be able to do safely while they recover.

Your worker's medical practitioner might call you to discuss different ways to help your worker return to work safely.

You can help your worker by providing a safe and supportive workplace.

You have an obligation to provide suitable duties for the first 52 weeks of a claim, where reasonable.

If your worker's claim has been accepted

You have an obligation to pay your worker when their claim has been accepted. These can be weekly payments or medical expenses.

Information about paying your worker

Your worker has to give you a valid medical certificate. This is also known as a certificate of capacity, a form approved by WorkSafe. It tells you:

time off work needed for their recovery, if any
tasks or duties they can and can’t perform because of their injury.

Forward all certificates of capacity to your agent as soon as you get them from your worker. Remember to keep a copy for your own records.

Weekly payments

If your worker's claim is accepted, you have to pay for the first 10 days they are off work. This is part of your WorkCover insurance excess. You don't have to make these payments if you selected the excess buyout option when you registered for WorkCover insurance.
Elect to buy-out your WorkCover insurance premium excess
If you didn't select the excess buyout option, your agent will let you know how much to pay your worker. The amount is usually based on your worker's pre-injury average weekly earnings over the past 52 weeks.
Fill out the 'Calculating pre-injury average weekly earnings' form and send it to your agent. Your agent can help you calculate your worker's weekly compensation rate.
You should pay your worker on their normal pay day. Your agent will reimburse you for any payments you make to your worker after their first 10 days off work.
Calculating PIAWE form
Medical expenses

Physical injury only claims
If the claim is for a physical injury, you have to pay the first $855 of medical and like expenses. This is the amount as at 1 July 2024, indexed annually. This is part of your employer excess.
Elect to buy-out your WorkCover insurance premium excess
If the expenses are more than the employer excess, your agent can give you the option to pay them the excess amount directly as a single payment. This means your agent will manage all medical and like payments to the worker on your behalf. This option can be more convenient and allow you to focus on your worker's recovery. Contact your agent if you want to do this.
After you've paid the excess, your agent will pay your worker and their healthcare providers directly. If you receive any invoices or receipts from your worker, forward them to your agent.
If you selected the excess buyout option for your WorkCover insurance, you don’t have to pay any medical and like expenses.
Provisional payments for mental injury claims
If your worker has an entitlement to provisional payments for a mental injury, you don't have to pay the medical excess for that claim.
The worker should send the invoices directly to your agent. Your agent will manage all provisional payments on your behalf.
If you've already paid some of your worker's treatment costs, you can ask your agent for a reimbursement.
Provisional payments: Information for employers

WorkSafe Advisory

WorkSafe's advisory service is available between 7:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday. If you need more support, you can also contact WorkSafe using the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or the National Relay Service.

1800 136 089 More contact options

After you submit your worker's claim

Claim processing timeframes

Plan your worker's return to work

Planning your return to work

Return to work obligations

If your worker's claim has been accepted

Information about paying your worker

Weekly payments

Medical expenses

Physical injury only claims

Provisional payments for mental injury claims

Employer electronic funds transfer (EFT) application form

WorkSafe Advisory

Information

Services

About WorkSafe

Contact

After you submit your worker's claim

Claim processing timeframes

Plan your worker's return to work

Planning your return to work

Return to work obligations

If your worker's claim has been accepted

Information about paying your worker

Weekly payments

Medical expenses

Physical injury only claims

Provisional payments for mental injury claims

Employer electronic funds transfer (EFT) application form

WorkSafe Advisory

WorkSafe Victoria