Workers compensation
What to do after a workplace injury in NSW
In plain language
A step-by-step guide to reporting a workplace injury in NSW, seeing a doctor, lodging a claim with icare or your insurer, and starting SIRA-funded allied-health treatment.
- Tell your employer as soon as possible and record the injury in the register.
- See a nominated treating doctor and ask for a SIRA Certificate of Capacity.
- Your employer notifies the insurer within 48 hours; you can also contact icare directly.
- Physiotherapy under a workers-compensation claim is fee-free at approved providers.
1. Report the injury the same day
NSW workers must notify their employer as soon as reasonably practicable. Ask for the incident to be logged in the workplace register of injuries and keep a copy for your records.
Get first aid if you need it. If the injury is serious, go to the nearest emergency department — reporting and paperwork can follow.
2. See a nominated treating doctor
You choose your doctor. Ask them to issue a SIRA Certificate of Capacity — this is the document that authorises time off work, restricted duties and allied-health treatment.
Bring the certificate to every follow-up. It's usually reviewed every 28 days.
3. Lodge the claim
Your employer must notify their insurer within 48 hours. If they don't, you can contact icare on 13 44 22 or lodge the claim yourself.
You'll receive a claim number — bring this to your first physiotherapy appointment.
4. Start allied-health treatment
Physiotherapy, exercise physiology and other allied-health services are paid directly by the insurer at SIRA fee schedules — there are no gap fees at approved providers such as Blacktown Physioclinic.
Your physiotherapist submits an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) after the initial assessment; treatment continues under approved plans of typically 8 sessions at a time.
Next steps
References
- SIRA — Injured workers — SIRA NSW
- icare — Report an injury — icare NSW
- Certificate of Capacity — SIRA NSW