Posted on 09 Oct 2025

What to Do If You’re Injured at Work in NSW: 5 Key Steps

1. See your doctor right away after a workplace injury

Even if your injury feels minor, always see a doctor as soon as possible. We recommend visiting your own GP rather than a company-appointed doctor. Your GP knows your medical history, can provide a thorough assessment, and is better placed to identify any injuries you may not have noticed.

Your doctor’s report not only ensures you receive the right treatment but also creates a vital record of your injury. This record will be vital evidence if you decide to make a workers compensation claim in the future.

Remember: You don’t have to let a company representative attend your GP appointment. This isn’t a requirement under NSW workers compensation law, and it’s a breach of your privacy.

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2. Notify your employer and create a written record

Under NSW law, you must notify your employer of your injury in writing within 30 days, even if they already know about it. Failing to do so could put your claim at risk.

While your workplace may have its own reporting process, it’s important to also keep your own written record. Write down the details of what happened in your own words and keep a copy for yourself.

If your injury was linked to a safety issue you’d previously raised with your employer, make sure to note this too. Keep any supporting evidence, such as earlier incident reports, emails, text messages, or written notes. All of these are valid evidence and can strengthen your future injury at work claim.

3. Get a Medical Certificate of Capacity

Your GP will need to issue you a Medical Certificate of Capacity. This is a crucial document for your workers compensation claim in NSW. It outlines:

The nature of your injury or illness.
How it affects your ability to work (e.g. completely unfit for work, or fit for certain restricted duties).
The treatment you need.
How long your recovery is expected to take.

Most GPs are familiar with the process and will provide this certificate automatically for employees injured at work. But if they don’t, be sure to ask for one.

This certificate is not just paperwork — it’s the key evidence insurers and employers rely on to decide what support and payments you receive.

Keep a copy of the Medical Certificate for your records, and make sure your employer and workers comp insurer receive one too.

4. Take time off work

Your doctor will recommend how much time you need off work and what treatment or rehab is required. This will also be set out in your Medical Certificate of Capacity.

It’s vital to follow this medical advice and not return to work too early. Doing so could make your injury worse or slow your recovery. If your employer pressures you to perform duties beyond your medical restrictions or return before you’re ready, this is unlawful. Our expert work injury lawyers have dealt with hundreds of pushy employers and can step in to protect your rights.

Can I get financial help while I’m off work?

While you’re off work, you should receive weekly income replacement payments plus coverage for reasonable medical expenses. These are known as ‘provisional payments’ and they’re designed to provide a financial safety net while your claim is assessed. While you’re not entitled to full pay if you’re injured at work, you can get up to 95% of your pre-injury income.

Importantly, your insurer must begin provisional payments within seven days of being notified of your injury. If they’re delaying or refusing provisional payments, get in touch with us. We deal with the NSW workers comp system every day and can take immediate action to get things moving so you’re not left without income.

5. Complete a claim form

To make your workers compensation claim official, you’ll need to fill out a Workers Compensation Claim Form.

To get one, you can:

Ask your employer for a copy.
Download the form directly from the NSW workers compensation scheme (iCare).
Request a form from your employer’s workers compensation insurer (some large companies are self-insurers and handle claims in-house, e.g. Woolworths, Coles, or Australia Post).

The claim form will usually ask for:

Your personal and employment details: including whether you’re a full-time, part-time or casual employee. Contractors injured at work may also have a claim, depending on their situation.
Details about the accident: The date, time and place of the accident, as well as a description of how it occurred. Remember, you can still get paid even if you injure yourself at work.
Information about the injury: The type of injury and affected body parts.
Medical treatment: Details of any medical treatment you’ve received, as well as what you’re likely to need in the future. Make sure to also include a copy of your Medical Certificate of Capacity.
Work capacity: Information about any time you’ve already taken off work.

Once completed, submit the form to your employer or their insurer. This step officially triggers the claims process. Make sure you keep a copy for your own records.

If you’re unsure how to fill it out or worried about making a mistake that could affect your work injury compensation, our lawyers can prepare the form for you and lodge it directly with the insurer.

When should I speak to a work injury lawyer?

In NSW, all workers compensation claims are fully funded by the Independent Review Office (IRO), so you can get legal help for free. That’s why it’s always a smart move to speak with a work injury lawyer before lodging your claim, even if your case seems straightforward.

Our lawyers can help if:

You’ve just been injured: We’ll make sure you get the right medical treatment and time off work while protecting your claim. If your employer pressures you to return before you’re ready, we’ll step in to enforce your rights.
You’re unsure of your rights: We’ll explain all the compensation you may be entitled to, from weekly benefits to lump sum payouts and Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims, and ensure you don’t miss out on anything.
Your injury is permanent: You could receive an extra lump sum payout if your injury caused long-term issues. To qualify, you need to have your Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessed at 11% or more. If your assessment is too low, we can push for a reassessment to secure a fairer result.
Your employer was negligent: If your injury was caused by unsafe equipment, lack of training, or other negligence, you may have a work injury damages claim. These claims often lead to much higher payouts (sometimes hundreds of thousands or more), but you’ll need over 15% WPI to qualify. We’re experts at helping workers reach this threshold.