WorkCover Queensland privacy
WorkCover Queensland manages personal information in the course of its functions and activities under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
This document sets out the usual disclosures we make of a worker’s personal information.
Generally, a worker’s personal information that we hold will only be disclosed by us to others for the purpose of our assessment of the worker’s entitlement to compensation and management of the worker’s claim throughout its duration.
Workers
What information is given over the phone?
We can discuss information with you over the phone once we have confirmed your identity. We can also discuss matters with people you authorise, for example you may prefer a family member or representative to make enquiries. We will establish that the caller is authorised by you before discussing any claim details.
We will not provide your personal information to others over the phone unless we are authorised or must do so by law, for example with Centrelink.
Who else can access my information?
We can disclose your personal information to any person you authorise (for example if you give authority to a CTP insurer to access information from your claim file).
Others we usually disclose workers’ personal information to are:
- employers—we disclose information relating to a worker's capacity to work if the document is necessary to secure the worker's rehabilitation or early return to work. We must also provide the employer with information that we rely upon when making a reviewable claim decision, if the employer is aggrieved by that decision.
- medical and allied health providers—we can release information if the document will assist with the administration of your claim. This is outlined in the privacy information that we provide you when you make a claim.
- other agencies—we can release documents with your consent or if required by law.
Note: Section 572A(1) of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 states that a person must not use or obtain workers' compensation documents for employment purposes, for example pre-employment check.
There may be times when we are required by law to release information, for example in response to a subpoena for documents relating to a court matter.
Under the Right to Information Act 2009, anyone can apply for access to documents held by WorkCover—this includes your claim file.
We will only release your claim file with your consent, unless otherwise required by law.
Employers
What can a customer advisor discuss with me?
Customer advisors can discuss the claim and injury in general terms. This may include:
- the nature of the worker's injury
- work-related causes of the injury
- rehabilitation and return to work issues
- the status of the claim
Unless you have the injured worker's written authority, a customer advisor cannot discuss an injured worker's personal information with you.
What documents can I access on my employees' files?
Generally, we only disclose an employee’s personal information if we have the worker's signed authority to do so.
However, under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 we are granted permission to disclose the employee’s personal information under specific circumstances.
- Section 572A(2) enables us to release information relating to a workers' capacity to work if it assists in the worker's rehabilitation and return to work.
- Section 573(7) enables permissible disclosure of information as approved by the Chief Executive Officer.
Employers have access to records of communication between WorkCover and the employer, via the WorkCover Connect portal.
Further information
- Privacy policy and how your information is managed
- Information Privacy and Right to Information Request Procedure
- WorkCover Queensland publication scheme.