Head & Brain Injury Workers Compensation NSW
Concussion, traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome — we help you get urgent assessment, imaging and neuropsychological review for NSW head injury claims.
Every appointment on this page is billed to the insurer under an accepted NSW workers compensation claim. The insurer pays the doctor, physio, psychologist or rehab provider directly, so you don't get an invoice. Our help is free.
Yes — head & brain injury is a standard NSW WorkCover claim
If work caused or aggravated it, NSW workers compensation covers it. You don't need a single dramatic incident, and you don't need a pre-existing-condition-free history. Here's the short version of what that means for head & brain injury.
Work caused or aggravated it
Sudden or cumulative, new or aggravated — head & brain injury from work-related causes qualifies. The doctor records how it happened, so the insurer has what it needs to accept the claim.
Book a WorkCover doctorEvery appointment is paid
Doctors, physios, psychologists and rehab providers — the insurer pays them directly on your accepted claim, so you never get an invoice. Our help is free.
Learn about workcover doctorsHelp if the claim is disputed
If the insurer pushes back, we put you in touch with a compensation lawyer. Most WorkCover disputes qualify for IRO funding, which usually means the legal costs aren't yours. You don't fight the system alone.
How we help with disputesHow head & brain injury happens at work
Most claims in this category come down to a handful of mechanisms. If yours fits any of these, it's almost certainly claimable — and even if it doesn't, book an assessment anyway. The list isn't exhaustive.
- Falls from height on construction or trade sites
- Struck-by injuries from falling objects or tools
- Motor vehicle incidents during work travel
- Machinery strikes in manufacturing and warehousing
- Slips and trips on unstable surfaces
- Assaults and workplace violence in frontline roles
Not sure if your cause fits? It usually does. Take the 60-second eligibility check →
When to see a WorkCover doctor
Any of these symptoms after a work-related incident or from a work-related activity means it's time to get assessed. Early assessment gives head & brain injury the right start to recovery.
- Headache, dizziness or nausea after the incident
- Confusion, memory gaps or delayed responses
- Blurred or double vision and light sensitivity
- Mood changes, irritability or emotional flatness
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating at work
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
Don't push through. The workers who recover fastest are the ones who see a doctor in the first week.
What NSW WorkCover pays for with head & brain injury
Once your claim is accepted (or under provisional liability), the insurer pays for every line below directly. You don't receive an invoice for any of it.
- Emergency assessment and CT or MRI imaging
- Neurologist and neurosurgeon consultations
- Neuropsychological assessment and cognitive rehab
- Physiotherapy for balance and vestibular issues
- Psychological support for mood and trauma symptoms
- Speech therapy and occupational therapy if needed
- Weekly income payments during recovery
- Lump-sum compensation for permanent impairment
What the NSW data says
You would not be the first person to claim for head & brain injury. The national and NSW data makes that very clear.
Falls from height — workplace fatalities, 2023
Falls from height are a primary mechanism of serious head and brain injury in Australian workplaces. Source: Safe Work Australia, Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities, 2023.
Falls, slips and trips — share of serious claims
The second-largest claim category nationally, and a primary source of workplace head injuries. Source: Safe Work Australia, 2023–24.
Want the full picture? See WorkCover in numbers →
How we help with head & brain injury claims
One phone call is all it takes. We answer your questions, book the doctor, and line up physio, psychology, rehab or a lawyer when you need one.
Brain injury symptoms often show up days or weeks after the incident — early assessment matters. We book you in with a WorkCover doctor who arranges urgent imaging and neurology review, writes the Certificate of Capacity and refers you to neuropsychology, physio and psychology. For more serious injuries, we help you choose a rehab provider for a staged return to work, and put you in touch with a compensation lawyer for any permanent impairment claim.
WorkCover Doctors
Where most workers with head & brain injury start after the first doctor visit. Call us and we'll book it, in person or by telehealth.
Learn about workcover doctorsWorkCover Psychologist
Lined up when your head & brain injury recovery needs it. We book it, and on an accepted claim the insurer pays.
Learn about workcover psychologistCompensation Lawyer
Lined up when your head & brain injury recovery needs it. We book it, and on an accepted claim the insurer pays.
Learn about compensation lawyerWondering what weekly payments would look like? Use the Payment Calculator →
Related resources
Three starting points for digging deeper — an explainer on our blog, the eligibility quiz, and other injury types we help with.
Head & Brain Injury claims — what workers ask
The same questions come up on almost every call. Here are the answers in short form.
More WorkCover reading for your injury
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Injured your head & brain? Start with one phone call.
We book same-week appointments with a WorkCover doctor, who writes your Certificate of Capacity. We sort the insurer paperwork and line up physio, psychology or a lawyer as needed.
Book a WorkCover Doctor