WorkCover FAQs

WorkCover is a government-run workers’ compensation scheme that provides benefits and support to workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.

Any employee in NSW who suffers a work-related injury or illness may be eligible to claim.

You may receive wage support, medical care, rehabilitation, and lump sum payments for permanent impairment.

Yes. If surgery is reasonably necessary for your work injury and the insurer approves it, the cost is covered under your claim — the surgeon, the hospital and the anaesthetist, billed directly to the insurer with no gap fee for approved treatment. Our orthopaedic surgeons see injured workers for specialist consultations, surgical opinions and surgery, working alongside our doctors and physios.

Yes, benefits are capped and depend on your earnings, injury type, and level of impairment.

Compensation is based on your pre-injury income, medical assessments, and work capacity.

Only workers with a permanent impairment above a set threshold may claim this compensation.

Yes, weekly payments cover a percentage of the income you lose while unable to work.

You may be offered ongoing benefits, retraining, or support to transition into other work.

They cannot dismiss you within the first 6 months, but may do so afterwards if you cannot return.

Report the injury to your employer, see a doctor for a certificate, and lodge a claim with the insurer.

You can request a review, provide further evidence, or appeal through the Personal Injury Commission.

Weekly payments generally run up to 130 weeks. They can continue past that point if you have no capacity to work, or if you are back at work at least 15 hours a week and have applied to keep receiving payments — and for high whole person impairment assessments, longer entitlements apply. Medical treatment stays covered for a period after weekly payments end, depending on your circumstances.

Yes, you can see your own GP as long as they are approved to treat WorkCover patients.

icare (the state insurer) will cover your claim through the Uninsured Liability Scheme.

Yes, you can return on reduced hours or modified duties while still receiving support.

Yes, if you have serious ongoing impairment or no capacity to work, your benefits may continue.

You may qualify for extended payments, retraining, or support through other benefit schemes.