Your role in recovering after an injury

Your role in recovery

Recovery is a team effort, but there are a few key things you’ll need to do to support your return to work.

Your main role is to take part in your rehabilitation and recovery activities as soon as you’re able. 

It’s also important to be involved in planning your return to work with your employer.

What you need to do

Getting the right support early and staying involved in your recovery can make a big difference to how smoothly you return to work. 

If you take an active role in your recovery, it can give you a better outcome in the long term. 

Here’s what you need to do:

Get support early

• See a doctor straight away if you’re injured at work and get a work capacity certificate.
• Tell your employer what happened and complete an incident report.

Take part in your treatment

• Take part in all recommended medical treatment and rehabilitation programs to support your recovery.

Take part in planning your recovery

• Actively work with your employer – and us – to plan your return to work.
• Return to work when your doctor says it’s safe.
• If you can’t do your usual tasks, be open to trying other suitable duties until you’re ready to return to your normal role. Your employer will help you with this.

Keep everyone informed

• Talk openly and honestly with your doctor about your progress and any changes in your condition.
• Send your updated work capacity certificates to us and your employer.
• Communicate regularly with us, your employer and your treatment providers about how you’re going.
• Tell us if anything changes, such as, including:
  • your condition or treatment
  • if you start receiving Centrelink benefits
  • if you return to any kind of work (including work with a different employer, volunteer work or study).
• Ask for help if you need it.

Related pages

• Getting back to work