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.

Who is eligible to make a WorkCover claim?

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

What benefits can I receive under WorkCover?

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

Are WorkCover benefits limited or capped?

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

How is compensation calculated?

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

Can I claim lump sum compensation?

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

Will I receive weekly payments while I’m unable to work?

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

Workers Comp · Illawarra

Workers Comp in Wollongong — Where to Start

Injured at work? Here’s exactly what to do next.

Wollongong workers compensation cases often track back to a steel-mill operator on shift carrying a burn from molten product or a hearing-loss claim built up over years. The starting line is well-marked: the medical certificate from the first appointment. With the first record in, the claim shifts from messy stalemate to clean queue.

Book a WorkCover Doctor (02) 7238 7379

Workers Comp Help in Wollongong

The first 3 steps

Workers Comp in Wollongong — How It Starts

See a WorkCover doctor

If you're a tradie with a back strain, a fall on-site, or a crush injury from machinery, the first move is a WorkCover-trained doctor.

Book a doctor in Wollongong

Get your Certificate of Capacity

Your doctor issues this on the first visit. It’s the legal document that proves you have a work injury and tells the insurer how much you can work and what treatment you need. No paperwork on your end — the doctor handles it.

Notify your employer

You’re legally required to tell your employer about a work injury — a text or email is enough. Once they get your Certificate of Capacity, they pass it to their workers comp insurer. The claim opens, and wages and treatment get covered from that point.

Common workers comp claims in Wollongong

Workers comp claims in Wollongong most often come from the local steel manufacturing and mining workforces, alongside the back, shoulder, and stress injuries common across every industry.

Wollongong is the Illawarra's capital city, historically built on steel and coal. While heavy industry remains a major employer through the Port Kembla steelworks, the University of Wollongong and local hospitals have broadened the workforce. Industrial injuries here can be severe and complex.

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