Rehabilitation services providers

Rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation services providers) for jurisdictions to adopt in their own accreditation frameworks.

The requirements for WorkCover’s rehabilitation 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 Rehabilitation Services Provider Panel (RSPP).

Referrals to a rehabilitation services provider

WorkCover will make a referral to a rehabilitation 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 Rehabilitation Services Provider Panel (RSPP) 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 rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation services provider allocated by WorkCover, they have the right to request a new rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation services providers and their available locations.

Types of services

Information on the services provided as part of the Rehabilitation Services Provider Panel can be found in the Return to Work Services Table of Costs.