Return to work services providers
Return to work services providers are engaged on workers’ compensation claims to provide specialised services to support workers in returning to work following a workplace injury.
Return to work services providers are used to identify and address any risk factors which may impact a successful return to work, translate functional gains into meaningful work, and provide advice on the best pathway to recovery.
WorkCover has a dedicated panel of return to work services providers made up of independent allied health and vocational providers. These providers work with all parties to make an injured worker’s return to work possible. A return to work services provider for example, will engage with treating providers, employers and workers and help inform treatment plans, providing insights into the working environment that enables work to be used as therapy.
Qualifications and requirements
In December 2018, the Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities (HWCA) developed and endorsed a set of principles of practice for workplace rehabilitation providers (PDF, 0.28 MB) (or return to work services providers) for jurisdictions to adopt in their own accreditation frameworks.
The requirements for WorkCover’s return to work services provider panel is based on these principles of practice and the Return to Work Services Table of Costs is designed in accordance. All training and qualifications must be evidenced through certificates of completion.
The following is a summary of professionals, standard of qualifications and return to work services that can be provided as part of their role on WorkCover’s return to work services provider panel.
A person who is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (E.S.S.A).
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Workplace evaluation / assessment / initial needs assessment
- Functional capacity evaluation (FCE)
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Job placement services
- Workplace facilitated discussions
A person registered as an occupational therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Workplace evaluation / assessment / initial needs assessment
- Functional capacity evaluation (FCE)
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Vocational assessment
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Psychological functional capacity evaluation (PFCE)
- Job placement services
- Workplace facilitated discussions
A person registered as an osteopath with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Workplace evaluation / assessment / initial needs assessment
- Functional capacity evaluation (FCE)
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Workplace facilitated discussions
A person registered as a Physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Workplace evaluation / assessment / initial needs assessment
- Functional capacity evaluation (FCE)
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Job placement services
- Workplace facilitated discussions
A person registered as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Workplace evaluation / assessment / initial needs assessment
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Vocational assessment
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Psychological functional capacity evaluation (PFCE)
- Job placement services
- Workplace facilitated discussions
A person with a tertiary qualification in an accredited rehabilitation counselling course or other recognised behaviour science degree and a full member of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC).
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Workplace evaluation / assessment / initial needs assessment
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Vocational assessment
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Psychological functional capacity evaluation (PFCE)
- Job placement services
- Workplace facilitated discussions
A person with a tertiary degree in social work.
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Return to work facilitation
- Suitable duties plan
- Monitoring suitable duties
- Vocational assessment
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Job placement services
- Workplace facilitated discussions
Those wishing to provide job preparation, seeking and placement services. The provider must be able to provide proof that they are appropriately skilled to assist the worker in preparing for employment.
Return to work services that can be provided:
- Job seeking and job preparation
- Job placement services
Referrals to a return to work service provider
WorkCover will make a referral to a return to work services provider to assist in achieving timely and sustainable return to work outcomes following injury and illness. They will provide expert opinion and solutions to resolving workplace injuries and assist in developing return to work plans, goals, and interventions that address risks, needs and abilities of the workplace.
WorkCover will refer to a provider on our return to work services panel based on the location of a worker or employer and the types of services that providers can offer. WorkCover will also provide a high level overview of the types of services required to the return to work services provider as part of this referral. However, all parties are vital to the success of early intervention and return to work planning. If there are significant barriers to a worker’s return to the workplace, a worker, employer, or provider can request that WorkCover refer for Workplace Facilitated Discussion assistance. For further information on this service, please refer to the Return to Work Services Table of Costs.
If at any time a worker is dissatisfied with the return to work services provider allocated by WorkCover, they have the right to request a new return to work services provider. The worker is then entitled to select a provider of their choosing from the list of available providers within their location.
When a worker has decided on the provider, they need to notify WorkCover of the request for referral. There may be instances where the selected provider is unable to complete the referred services due to availability, service offering or capacity in the selected location.
For further information, please see the current list of return to work services providers and their available locations.
Types of services
Information on the services provided as part of the return to work services panel can be found in the Return to Work Services Table of Costs.