Aged Care Workers Compensation Claims NSW
Manual handling, resident aggression, chronic back and shoulder strain — aged care has one of the highest body-stressing claim rates in the country. We help with aged care claims across NSW.
For: Personal care assistants, support workers and residential aged care staff.
Aged Care workers are covered under NSW WorkCover
Every aged care worker on a NSW payroll — full-time, casual, labour-hire or deemed-worker subcontractor — has the same access to treatment, income support and legal protection. Our team knows the aged care scheme inside out.
Body-stressing claims are the largest category
Lifting, turning and transferring residents is the single biggest source of NSW work injuries. We line up physios who build recovery plans for long-term aged care work.
Talk to our teamPsychological injury is covered
Resident aggression, grief load and understaffing stress are valid psychological injury claims. We line up a psychologist who understands aged care work.
Talk to our teamCasual and agency staff covered
Agency PCAs and casual shifts are covered the same as permanent staff. The policy that pays is your direct employer's.
Talk to our teamThe numbers for Aged Care
Source-cited statistics from Safe Work Australia and NSW SIRA / icare — the data behind why early, properly-documented claims matter.
Body-stressing share of national serious claims
Body-stressing is the single largest cause of serious workers compensation claims nationally. Aged care is one of the hardest-hit sectors. Source: Safe Work Australia.
Serious mental health claims nationally, FY2023-24
Mental health claims grew +161% over the past decade. Health care and social assistance — including aged care — is a major contributor. Source: Safe Work Australia.
Common aged care injuries we help with
Each links to a detailed guide with NSW-specific claim information.
Back injury from resident handling
Resident transfers, repositioning and bathing.
Read guideShoulder injury
Repeated hoisting, lifting and transfer loads.
Read guidePsychological injury and burnout
Grief load, understaffing, dementia-related aggression.
Read guideWrist and hand RSI
Repetitive personal care tasks.
Read guideFoot and ankle injury
Wet floors, long shifts and corridor slips.
Read guideKnee injuries
Kneeling for resident care and repetitive transfers.
Read guideYour employer's obligations
What the law requires every NSW aged care employer to do — whether they're doing it or not.
- Hold workers compensation cover for every employee — permanent, casual or agency on-hire
- Provide hoists, slide sheets and adjustable beds for safe manual handling
- Train staff in dementia-informed care, de-escalation and sharps safety
- Comply with the Code of Practice on Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work
- Offer modified duties when you return from injury — not push premature full-shift returns
For employers and delegates in this industry
Employer or site manager in aged care? Run our toolbox talk on reporting injuries, keep the manager's checklist for when a worker reports an injury by the phone, and find posters for the lunchroom on our page for employers and work sites.
Union delegate? Start with the union delegate guide, or book workers compensation sessions for unions.
Your rights as a NSW aged care worker
The entitlements written into the NSW Workers Compensation Act that apply to your trade.
- You can claim whether you're permanent, casual, agency, or on a bank arrangement
- You can claim for chronic injuries that built up over years, not just one-off incidents
- Psychological injury from resident aggression or chronic overwork is a valid claim
- Treatment costs are paid by the insurer, not deducted from your pay
- You choose your own treating WorkCover doctor and treating physio
How our team helps with Aged Care claims
We book you in with a WorkCover doctor whose Certificate of Capacity accounts for shift work and cumulative injury. We line up physio built around the physical reality of aged care, and a psychologist for the psychological side — aggression, grief, burnout — that aged care workers carry home.
Not sure what you’ll be paid while you’re off work? Run the numbers with our weekly payment calculator before you lodge anything.
More resources for injured NSW workers
Should I claim WorkCover?
The eight reasons NSW workers hesitate — and the honest answers behind each one.
Read guideAm I eligible for WorkCover?
60-second eligibility quiz for NSW workers — worker status, injury type and reporting window covered in one pass.
Start quizWorkCover in numbers
NSW and national workers compensation statistics — claim counts, costs, industry breakdowns and mental health trends.
View dataOther industries
Aged Care WorkCover FAQs
More reading for aged care workers
Back injury from resident handling — NSW claim guide
Resident transfers, repositioning and bathing.
Read moreContinueShoulder injury — NSW claim guide
Repeated hoisting, lifting and transfer loads.
Read moreContinueConstruction WorkCover claims NSW
Adjacent industry — see how we help with construction claims.
Read moreContinueWorkCover Physio
The usual first step for aged care claims — billed to WorkCover on accepted claims.
Read moreInjured at work in aged care?
Call us or book online. We answer your questions, book a WorkCover doctor and line up physio or a lawyer for your aged care claim.
Call Now (02) 7238 7379