Work capacity certificate

What’s a work capacity certificate?

It’s a detailed medical certificate that’s only used for workers’ compensation claims.

It tells us:

• what work-related injury or illness you have
• what treatment you need
• if you need time off work.

It has more information than a regular medical certificate to help us figure out what’s going on.

What it includes

Your work capacity certificate will show:  

• your name and personal details
• your injury or illness (your diagnosis)
• when and how the injury happened
• the treatment you need
• whether you:
  • can return to work,
  • need time off, or
  • have limits on what you can do
• any workplace changes that could help your recovery
• the medical practitioner’s details.

Here’s a sample certificate. Your medical provider may use an older version, but both versions are valid.

How it’s used

Your certificate helps us:

• make a decision on your claim  
• identify what support you need.

We’ll also share some details with your employer. They need to know your work capacity so they can plan suitable duties and support your safe return to work.

Where to get one

Ask your treating medical provider to complete one for you.

Only medical professionals registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) can give you one. This includes:

• doctors
• nurses (for minor injuries)
• dentists (for oral injuries.

Allied health providers (like physiotherapists and psychologists) can’t give you a valid certificate.  

How to give us your certificate

It’s up to you to submit a valid work capacity certificate with your claim.

You can also ask your medical provider to send it in, but you’ll still need to contact us to start your claim.

You can send it to us online or through the Worker Assist app.