Posted on 18 Feb 2026

WorkCover QLD Permanent Impairment Lump Sum Guide: Tables, Payments & How to Claim

How much will I get for permanent impairment?

In Queensland, the amount you receive depends on your Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI). This is a measure of the injury’s long-term effects. In most cases, the higher your DPI percentage, the more compensation you’ll be offered.

WorkCover QLD permanent impairment table (2025–26)

For the 2025–26 financial year, the maximum statutory compensation (100% DPI) is $422,292.26. For most injuries under 30% DPI, your payout is simply a percentage of this total. Here’s what you can expect for some of the most common DPIs:

Degree of Impairment (DPI)	Approx. statutory lump sum payout (2025–26)
1% DPI	$4,223
2% DPI	$8,446
3% DPI	$12,669
4% DPI	$16,892
5% DPI	$21,115
7% DPI	$29,560
10% DPI	$42,229
12% DPI	$50,675
15% DPI	$63,344
18% DPI	$76,013
20% DPI	$84,458
25% DPI	$105,573
29% DPI	$122,465
30% DPI	$142,611
40% DPI	$275,154
50% DPI	$407,669
75% DPI	$739,011
100% DPI	$844,584

Data Source: WorkSafe QLD QOTE Notice 2025

Extra lump sum payout for 30% DPI or more

If your injury is severe enough to be rated at 30% DPI or higher, you’re entitled to an extra lump sum payout.

Under Schedule 3 of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2025, you receive your base lump sum plus an additional ‘graduated’ payment. This is calculated using the 2025/26 Queensland Ordinary Time Earnings (QOTE). In 2026, the additional lump sum is capped at $422,292, with that maximum reached once your DPI is 75% or higher.

The table below explains how additional lump sum payments work for some common DPIs.

Degree of Impairment (DPI)	Base lump sum (approx)	Additional lump sum (approx)	Total statutory lump sum offer (approx)
5%	$21,115	$0	$21,115
10%	$42,229	$0	$42,229
20%	$84,458	$0	$84,458
30%	$126,688	$15,923 (8.15 × QOTE)	$142,611
40%	$168,917	$106,237 (54.37 × QOTE)	$275,154
50%	$211,146	$196,523 (100.59 × QOTE)	$407,669
75%	$316,719	$422,292 (maximum)	$739,011
100%	$422,292	$422,292 (maximum)	$844,584 (maximum)

Additional lump sum for gratuitous care

If you have a DPI of 15% or greater, you may be eligible for an extra lump sum payout for gratuitous care (under section 193 of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003).

Gratuitous care refers to unpaid, essential assistance provided by family or friends. This includes daily tasks such as showering, dressing, cooking, or cleaning.

To receive your lump sum, you’ll need to meet these three criteria:

The 15% threshold: You must have a physical injury with a DPI of at least 15%. Psychological injuries are excluded from gratuitous care lump sums.
New care only: You cannot claim for help that you were already receiving before your injury.
Occupational therapy assessment: WorkCover will appoint an occupational therapist to evaluate your home life and determine your level of dependency: moderate, severe, or total. Alongside your DPI, this is used to calculate your final lump sum.

Gratuitous care payout table (2025–26)

These amounts are in addition to your permanent impairment lump sum and the extra payout for 30%+ DPI (if you qualify).

Degree of Impairment (DPI)	Range of dependency	Approx. lump sum payout for gratuitous care (2025 – 26)
15-39% DPI	Moderate	$3,890
15-39% DPI	Severe	$7,760
15-39% DPI	Total	$11,605
40–49% DPI	Moderate	$7,230
40–49% DPI	Severe	$14,695
40–49% DPI	Total	$21,905
50–59% DPI	Moderate	$31,945
80–89% DPI	Moderate	$127,620
90–95%	Moderate	$159,485
90–95%	Total	$478,385

Data source: Additional lump sum compensation for gratuitous care, Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (QLD)

Typical DPI ratings for common Queensland workplace injuries

To help you estimate your potential payout, here are some common workplace injuries and the DPI ranges we typically see in Queensland claims.

These figures are a general guide only and are based on our experience — your actual DPI will depend on your medical evidence and individual circumstances.

Injury type	Estimated QLD DPI range
Back or lumbar	5% – 30%
Shoulder (rotator cuff)	10% – 30%
Knee (ACL / meniscus)	10% – 20%
Amputated finger	20% – 30%, based on which finger is amputated.
Hearing loss (binaural)	5% – 15%
Loss of vision (one eye)	30% – 40%
Psychological (e.g. PTSD)	5% – 65%, depending on how severely the condition impacts your life.
Severe brain or spinal injury	30% – 100%

Overview: 2026 WorkCover QLD lump sum claims process

What to do	When to do it	Why it matters
Report the injury	Within 24 hours (or ASAP)	Establishes a clear timeline for your employer and insurer.
Get a Work Capacity Certificate (WCC)	Within 48 hours	You cannot lodge a claim without an official WCC from your GP.
Lodge your claim	Within six months	While the final deadline is six months, it’s best to lodge within 20 days to secure full backpay.
DPI assessment	Once your injury is ‘stable and stationary’	Your injury needs to reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) before it’s assessed, meaning it’s unlikely to change with more time or treatment.
Review your Notice of Assessment (NOA)	Within 20 business days	You must formally agree or disagree with the DPI.
Accept the lump sum offer or start a common law claim	Within three years	You must either accept the lump sum offer based on your DPI or start a common law claim. If your DPI is 20% or more, you can do both.

How do I make a lump sum claim in Queensland? (Six-step process)

In Queensland, you cannot claim a lump sum immediately after an injury. You must first go through the standard WorkCover process. Once this claim is submitted and your injury has stabilised, you will receive a formal assessment and a lump sum offer.

Here’s how the process works:

Report the injury to your employer immediately. You must then see your GP to obtain a Work Capacity Certificate (WCC).

Ensure your GP lists every affected body part. If a physical injury has caused anxiety or depression, ensure these psychological symptoms are noted on the WCC from the very beginning.

Since July 2025, doctors no longer start claims for you. You must manually lodge your application via the Worker Assist Portal or app.

The 20-day rule: To receive full backpay for lost wages, you must lodge within 20 business days of your injury.
The final deadline: You have up to six months to submit your WorkCover claim.

As part of your basic WorkCover claim, you’ll get compensation covering:

Weekly wages: For the first 26 weeks, you generally receive 85% of your NWE (Normal Weekly Earnings). From week 26 to year 2, this adjusts to 75% of NWE or 70% of Queensland Ordinary Time Earnings ($1,953.70 for 2025/26).
Medical costs: Full coverage for reasonable and necessary hospital bills, surgeries, specialist visits, and rehabilitation (physio, etc.).
Travel expenses: Reimbursement for travel to and from your medical appointments.

Before starting a lump sum claim, you must wait for your injury to stabilise (reach Maximum Medical Improvement). Once your doctors agree your condition is stable and stationary, WorkCover will arrange a formal assessment of your Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI). This is the formal start of your lump sum claim.

The assessment method depends on your injury type:

For physical injuries: These are assessed by an independent medical specialist (IME) according to the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (GEPI). They look at things like loss of range of motion in a joint, nerve damage, or reduced strength.
For psychological injuries: Conditions like anxiety, PTSD or depression are handled with much stricter scrutiny. While a single doctor can assess a physical injury, a psychological DPI can only be determined by the Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT). They’ll look at your impairment level across six areas, such as travel independence, employability, and self-care.

The Notice of Assessment (NOA) is the most important document you receive in a lump sum claim. It outlines your DPI and a lump sum offer. Once it arrives, you have 20 business days to make a choice:

If you disagree with your DPI: You must dispute the DPI within 20 business days to request review.
If you agree with your DPI: You don’t need to do anything. After 20 business days, the offer is automatically deferred. This means the offer stays open while you seek legal advice on your options.

Your DPI determines what you can do next:

DPI 0%: You aren’t entitled to a lump sum offer, but you can still make a common law claim. Don’t be discouraged by a 0% DPI — even though this is the end of the road for your lump sum claim, we have seen injured people with 0% DPIs receive six-figure common law settlements.
DPI 1 – 19%: You must make an irrevocable choice. You can either take the small statutory lump sum or sue for common law damages. You cannot do both.
DPI 20% or more: You can accept the lump sum and still pursue a common law claim.

It is essential to consult a specialist WorkCover lawyer before accepting any lump sum offer.

If your injury occurred without employer negligence, the statutory lump sum might be your best option. However, if your employer failed to provide a safe work environment — such as through inadequate training or unsafe equipment — a common law claim could result in a significantly higher settlement.

Our lawyers can break down your options and advise you on the most effective way to maximise your benefits, completely free of charge.

How can I dispute my DPI?

If you believe your Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI) is too low, you may be able to request a review. The process depends on whether your injury is physical or psychological.

You have 20 business days after receiving your Notice of Assessment to request a review. There are two main options:

Medical review by a different doctor: You can request that WorkCover refers you to a different specialist for a fresh assessment. WorkCover must decide whether to grant this within 10 business days.
Referral to the Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT): You can bypass a second doctor and ask for your DPI to be decided by the MAT. They are a panel of independent specialists, and their decision is final and binding.

Psychological injuries follow stricter dispute rules than physical injuries. Since a psychological DPI can only be determined by the MAT — the highest medical authority in the WorkCover scheme — its decision is final, and you cannot request a standard review.

Your only options to dispute a MAT decision are:

New medical evidence: Submit fresh evidence to WorkCover within 12 months of your MAT hearing.
Judicial review: Apply to the Supreme Court of Queensland. This process does not reassess medical facts; it only considers whether the MAT followed the correct legal process.

Disputing a DPI is a tactical decision, so it’s vital to speak with an experienced lawyer before requesting a review. If you move from a 10% DPI to a 20% DPI, you gain the right to accept your lump sum and still sue for common law damages. However, if you attend the MAT without the right medical reports and expert evidence, you risk having your DPI lowered further.

When will I receive my lump sum payout?

If you choose to accept the lump sum offer from WorkCover, you should receive the payout within seven days of returning your signed Notice of Assessment (WorkSafe QLD). The funds are deposited directly into your nominated bank account.

If your DPI is under 20%, this officially closes your WorkCover claim. But if your DPI is 20% or more, you may still be able to make a common law claim and secure extra compensation.

How long does a lump sum claim take?

The timeline for a lump sum claim in Queensland depends on your recovery. While the administrative process usually takes 2 to 6 months, several factors affect the total time:

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): Your injury must be stable and stationary before your DPI is assessed. This is the part that usually takes the longest, but it’s extremely important to wait until your injury has truly stabilised — otherwise, you risk missing out on your full compensation.
Independent Medical Examiner (IME): WorkCover schedules a specialist to assess your injury, which can take up to eight weeks.
Notice of Assessment (NOA): WorkCover may take up to 10 business days after the IME assessment to issue your NOA.

Psychological injuries: If your injury is psychological, it must be assessed by the Medical Assessment Tribunal, which often has much longer waiting times.*
Disputes over DPI: If you or WorkCover dispute the Degree of Permanent Impairment, it can add months to the process.
Incomplete medical evidence: Missing or delayed reports from your treating doctors can hold up assessments.
Complex or multiple injuries: Injuries affecting different parts of the body may require multiple specialist assessments.
WorkCover requests for additional information: If WorkCover asks for further documents or clarifications, delays in responding can stall the claim.
Scheduling conflicts: Delays in booking IMEs or MAT hearings can extend timelines, particularly for psychological injuries.
Administrative backlog: High claim volumes at WorkCover or the MAT can slow the process.

Do I need a lawyer to get a lump sum payout?

You can manage the early stages of the WorkCover process yourself. You can lodge a claim, attend your DPI assessment and receive your Notice of Assessment (NOA) without legal representation. The point where advice becomes important is when the NOA arrives.

WorkCover calculates lump sum compensation using a legislative formula. That formula does not take into account your age, future earning capacity or whether your employer was at fault. Because of this, the figure offered may not reflect the full value of your potential entitlements — particularly if a common law claim is available.

A lawyer can review the DPI assessment, consider whether it appears accurate, and explain the consequences of accepting the lump sum versus pursuing common law damages.

Why this matters

The Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT): If you dispute your DPI assessment, your case may be referred to the MAT, a panel of specialist doctors whose decision on permanent impairment is final and binding. Once that decision is made, it is very difficult to change. A lawyer can help you prepare the right medical evidence before the tribunal considers your case.
The 20% rule: If your DPI is assessed at under 20%, accepting the lump sum will usually bring your claim to an end. Once you accept it, you generally give up the right to pursue a common law claim. Accepting an offer without advice can mean settling for less than you should.
Employer negligence: If your injury happened because your workplace wasn’t safe, a common law claim may allow you to seek compensation that a statutory lump sum doesn’t cover. This can include future loss of income, lost superannuation, and pain and suffering.

Our expert WorkCover lawyers offer free advice, so you can understand your options before making a decision. If you choose us to act for you, we work on a No Win No Fee basis — we cover all upfront costs, and you won’t pay anything unless your claim is successful.