Question 1

How do I pay for my Workers Compensation policy?

Accepted Answer

We provide several options for paying your Workers Compensation premiums, including online with your credit/debit card, BPAY, general mail, or by phone. The only exception is NSW; policy holders in this state need to pay for and renew their policies through icare Workers Insurance.

Question 2

How are Workers Compensation premiums calculated?

Accepted Answer

The following factors are taken into consideration by GIO when calculating Workers Compensation Insurance premiums:

Amount of wages paid by the business
Industry type
Number of employees
Cost of previous workers compensation claims associated with the business

Question 3

What are the benefits of reporting injuries early?

Accepted Answer

In addition to waiving payment of a claim excess, reporting a claim within the required timeframe can make a significant difference to the cost of a claim and may also reduce your premium. This is because the earlier a claim is reported, the sooner a coordinated approach to treatment and return to work can start. GIO can guide you step by step through the process of facilitating early recovery and return to work, which can reduce claims costs. This process is critical, as claims costs can directly impact workers compensation premiums paid by employers.

Question 4

What are my workers compensation responsibilities as an employer?

Accepted Answer

As an employer, you must:

have Workers Compensation Insurance
be able to provide the name and address of your insurer, if asked
prominently display at each workplace a summary of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
prominently display at each workplace details of your insurance coverage.

Question 5

Do I need to continue to pay an injured worker’s wages after an injury occurs?

Accepted Answer

As an employer, it is your responsibility to continue to pay an injured worker on the usual pay days following an injury. GIO will advise you of the process for calculating the weekly compensation wage rate to be paid to the worker. For more information, contact your claims advisor or GIO on 13 10 10.

Question 6

How do I get reimbursed for wages lost due to a work injury?

Accepted Answer

To be reimbursed for lost wages, you are required to send your GIO case officer a record of the time the worker has lost due to injury or illness. By sending this record to GIO, we can ensure that you are reimbursed promptly.

Question 7

What is the definition of a ‘worker’?

Accepted Answer

A ‘worker’ is an individual who works under a contract of service with an employer, whether the contract is expressed or implied, oral or written, or an individual who works under a contract or at piecework rates for labour or substantially labour only.

For more information, see our Important Notices guide or go to the WorkSafe ACT website.

Question 8

What are suitable duties?

Accepted Answer

Suitable duties are short-term work duties agreed between the employer, the injured worker and treating doctor, to assist the injured worker’s rehabilitation. Suitable duties must comply with a current medical certificate.

Question 9

Should I provide suitable duties to an injured worker?

Accepted Answer

If your injured worker has some capacity for work, but cannot return fully to their normal role, as the employer you are responsible for providing suitable duties. Providing suitable duties for injured workers significantly improves recovery timeframes, Return To Work rates and claims outcomes. You can take a proactive step of preparing a list of potential suitable duties and send it to GIO prior to an injury, to help streamline the claims management process.

Question 10

What is an Injury Management Plan?

Accepted Answer

An Injury Management Plan (IMP) is developed by your GIO case officer in consultation with the employer, injured worker and treating doctor. The IMP outlines the steps required to assist the injured worker to get back to work, and establishes the agreed Return To Work goal. The responsibilities of the injured worker, treating doctor and employer are also included in the Injury Management Plan.

Question 11

What is a Return To Work Plan?

Accepted Answer

A Return To Work Plan outlines the duties to be provided to the injured worker in the form of a written action plan that explains how you will help your injured worker stay at work while they recover. This plan is to be supplied to all parties.

Question 12

What is a common law claim?

Accepted Answer

A common law claim is a claim for damages in which it is necessary for the worker to prove 'fault' in the form of negligence or breach of statutory duty on the part of the employer. A Workers Compensation policy will often also cover liability for any work related 'common law' claims by employees. The extent to which a worker may bring a common law claim varies from state to state.

Question 13

What is the difference between a "recurrence" and an "aggravation" of an injury?

Accepted Answer

A "recurrence" is when the symptoms of a previous injury recur spontaneously without any external cause. This would result in the "old" claim being reopened. An "aggravation" is when symptoms of a pre-existing injury are increased by a new and definable event.

Question 14

Who is the Primary Treating Medical Practitioner?

Accepted Answer

A Primary Treating Medical Practitioner (PTMP) is the medical practitioner chosen by the worker to participate in the injury management process. A worker has the right to select their own PTMP; it is usually the workers own GP/doctor.

The role of the Primary Treating Medical Practitioner varies by state but in general they;

provide primary medical care to the injured worker
diagnose the nature of the injury or illness
refer the injured worker to specialist care, or provide the injury management co-ordinator with information for them to co-ordinate care
provide workers compensation medical certificates
inform the employer about any specific work restrictions
monitor, review and advise on the worker’s condition, progress, work capacity and treatment
take part in developing return to work plans and injury management plans.

Workers have an obligation to notify their employers if they change their Primary Treating Medical Practitioner.

Question 15

What is a ‘Register of Injuries'?

Accepted Answer

A ‘Register of Injuries’ is used to record the details of each injury that occurs in the workplace, regardless of whether or not a claim is made. It should be kept by the employer where it is readily accessible to the workers.

If details of the injury are entered in the register as soon as possible after the injury happens, the entry is taken to be the notice of the injury given to the employer by the injured worker for the Workers Compensation Act 1951.

Workers Compensation FAQs (General)