Report fraud

We have zero tolerance for fraud.  

We take all fraud against WorkCover Queensland seriously.

Anyone can report fraud to us.

We work with the Office of Industrial Relations (the Regulator) to detect fraud and take action.

Fraud involving self‑insured businesses not covered by WorkCover should go directly to the Regulator.

Read about workers’ compensation prosecution outcomes.

What fraud means

Fraud includes when someone dishonestly gets money or benefits or attempts to do so.

It is against the law.

It also includes giving us false or misleading information or documents.

Fraud can involve other people. 

These people may not be part of a claim or policy, such as:  

• an authorised contact
• a family member or relative
• another person acting for a claimant.  

If you receive a cold call or feel pressured to make a claim (claim farming), follow the Claim farming report process.

Understand the types of fraud

Fraud can involve workers, employers, medical providers or others linked to a claim or policy.

Knowing the type of fraud helps our investigation.

Examples of worker fraud

• Not telling us they have returned to work
• Getting paid from another job without informing us first
• Giving false or misleading information or documents about a claim
• Claiming for an injury that did not happen at work
• Not telling us about a pre‑existing injury
• Claiming travel or expenses that aren’t true
• Falsifying medical certificates or other documents

Examples of employer fraud

• Under‑declaring wages  
• Giving false policy information
• Not taking out workers’ compensation insurance  
• Supporting a false claim
• Falsifying documents or records
• Pressuring others to give false information or statements
• Not providing workers’ compensation benefits to a worker
• Avoiding the compensation process

Examples of fraud by medical or service providers

• Billing for fake visits
• Billing for services not provided
• Issuing receipts that do not match the services
• Giving false or misleading information

Working without telling us first (Engaging in a calling fraud)

If a worker starts any work while receiving workers’ compensation, they must tell us straight away. Under legislation, this is called ‘engaging in a calling’.

A ‘calling’ is any activity that you could normally be paid for, even if you are not being paid.

Examples of a calling include:

• working for an employer
• setting up a small business  
• working for yourself
• helping a mate on a jobsite
• contract or casual work
• food delivery work via an app  
• volunteering
• undertaking unpaid work that would ordinarily attract payment.

Workers should not assume their doctor, employer or another person will tell WorkCover about this on their behalf. They need to tell us directly.

Engaging in a calling fraud is a high-risk fraud that represents around 60 per cent of the fraud reports received by the Workers' Compensation Regulator. WorkCover has joined with the Workers’ Compensation Regulator and Association of Self-Insured Employers Queensland to take action to prevent, detect and respond to engaging in a calling fraud.

Find out more about engaging in a calling fraud.

After you report fraud

We will investigate your report.  

We investigate all suspected fraud about workers’ compensation claims and WorkCover.

If we find evidence of fraud, we must refer the matter to the Regulator.

We cannot: 

• share details of investigations
• give status updates
• provide written reasons about our decision to refer (or not refer) the matter
• overturn claim decisions when fraud is suspected
• recover money unless ordered by a court. 

What you need to submit your fraud report

The right information helps us investigate.

Missing or wrong details may cause delays.

Giving false or misleading information in a fraud report is against the law.

Include as much detail as possible about the person or business you are reporting.  

You can attach up to 20 MB.  

Contact us if you need to provide larger files.  

Evidence may include:  

• photographs
• video footage
• documents, such as payslips or bank statements
• social media content
• information about where a claimant is working.  

We need your permission to use the information you provide.  

Submit your fraud report 

Send us your fraud report using our online form. 

This button takes you to WorkSafe.qld.gov.au 

Our fraud reporting form is still on WorkSafe.qld.gov.au while we set up our new website. It will be moved here later.