Returning to work
If you have been unable to work because of your work-related injury or illness, it is your employer's responsibility to help plan your return to work.
Who does what?
- Your employer - is required to manage the return to work process, and will allocate a case manager to help you.
- Case manager - works with you to formally plan your return to work.
- Approved Rehabilitation Provider (ARP) - is contracted by your employer to provide rehabilitation services.
Read more about ARPs.
- Treating medical practitioner - is responsible for the medical treatment of your work-related injury or illness. They can also assess your capability to return to work, provide advice on alternative duties or workplace modifications, and certify you fit or unfit for return to work.
Rehabilitation assessment
If you have been, or are likely to be, away from work for more than ten days, your case manager should arrange an assessment of your capability to undertake a return to work program.
If you write to your employer requesting a rehabilitation assessment, your employer must arrange such an assessment.
Your employer will make a decision about your rehabilitation assessment and will put the decision in writing.
Return to work program
Based on your rehabilitation assessment, your employer may develop a return to work program that you will be required to undertake. You will receive a written copy known as your return to work plan.
Developing a return to work program usually involves the assistance of an Approved Rehabilitation Provider, although in some instances your case manager may develop this program.
Your case manager will work with you, your treating doctor, your supervisor and your Approved Rehabilitation Provider (if any) to assist you to return to work in line with the provisions of the plan.
