Glossary

A

Accident date 

The date the accident occurred.

Accident description 

What the worker was doing at the time of the injury (where specified). 

Accident insurance policy 

An accident insurance policy is a workers’ compensation insurance policy that employers must have if they employ workers. It covers the employer’s liability for compensation and damages if a worker is injured at work, regardless of how the injury happened.

Actual wages

Actual wages are the amount an employer paid to their workers for their work in the previous financial year. We use this, along with estimated wages for the next financial year, to calculate the employer’s premium.

See the definition of Wages to find out what payments are included.

Agent of injury 

The object, substance or circumstance that directly caused the injury.

Aggravation 

An aggravation is when a pre-existing condition is made worse because of work. A worker may be entitled to compensation if their work was a ‘significant contributing factor’ to the condition worsening.

Allied health provider

Any allied health provider (for example a physiotherapist, chiropractor or occupational therapist) who is registered with the relevant professional board or association (such as the Physiotherapist Board of Queensland).

Appeal 

An appeal is when an employer or worker asks the Industrial Magistrate to review a decision made by the Workers' Compensation Regulatory Services. Appeals must be made within 28 days of receiving the decision. 

WorkCover can also appeal premium-related review decisions.

Asbestos-related diseases 

Asbestos-related diseases are caused by breathing in asbestos fibres over time. These are usually ‘latent onset’ conditions, which means they take a long time to develop – usually between 10 and 40 years after exposure. 

Average common law claim cost 

This is the average cost of common law payments made during a financial year. 

Average common law claim cost (industry average)

This is the average cost of common law claims across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC). 

Average days to first return to work 

This is the average number of days it takes for a worker to return to any form of work after an injury, within the reporting period. It only includes claims where time off work was needed (‘time loss’ claims). 

Average days to first return to work (industry average) 

This is the average number of days it takes for a worker to return to any form of work, based on results across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC). 

Average monthly payments 

This is the average amount paid each month for a statutory claim. It’s calculated by dividing the total statutory claim payments for the year by the number of months payments were made for that claim.

Average paid days 

This is the average number of days a worker is paid on a statutory claim in a financial year. It’s calculated by dividing the total number of paid days (full or partial) by the number of new statutory claims. 

Average paid days (industry average) 

This is the average number of paid days (full or partial) across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC).

Average premium rate 

The amount employers pay in workers’ compensation premiums for every $100 of wages. It’s calculated by comparing the total premiums paid by all employers to the total wages they’ve declared for that year.

B 

Breakdown agent 

A breakdown agent is the object, substance or circumstance that caused or contributed to an incident. 

Business activity 

Business activity is the primary or predominant function carried out by a business. When determining this, we consider the nature of the work performed, the activities that generate the most income, the workers engaged, and other relevant factors. 

C 

Certificate of currency

A Certificate of Currency confirms whether an employer’s accident insurance policy is current for the relevant period of insurance. Ordinary and government policyholders can generate their certificate through our online services. Employers with other types of policies can contact us to request a confirmation letter. 

Circumstance 

Circumstance describes when and where an injury occurred, such as at work or while travelling to or from work. This was previously called Injury Occurrence.

Claim liability 

Claim liability shows the current status of a claim:

• Accepted – we’ve accepted liability for the claim.
• Pending – a decision on liability hasn’t been made yet.
• Denied – we’ve denied liability for the claim, or liability has been stopped.
• Entered – the claim has been registered, but liability hasn’t been assessed yet. 

Claim liability reason 

Claim liability reason explains why a claim has its current liability status.

Claim status

Claim status shows the current stage of a claim:

• Open – we’ve received the application for workers’ compensation, and the claim is being assessed and managed.
• Notification – we’ve been told about a work injury for record purposes in case it worsens and requires time off work or treatment later.
• Re-opened – a closed claim has been re-opened for further assessment and management. The claim status effective date will update to reflect this.
• Settled – the claim has been finalised and is waiting to be closed in our system.
• Closed – the claim has been closed.
• Cancelled – the claim has been cancelled by us. If you have questions about this status, contact your customer advisor. 

Claim status effective date

This is the date the current claim status came into effect. It updates whenever the claim status changes and reflects the most recent status.

Claims experience

Claims experience is the total value of claims paid under an employer’s accident insurance policy. This includes statutory claim payments for the past three years and common law (damages) payments for the one year before that. It’s used to calculate an employer’s premium rate. 

Common law claim

A common law claim is the claim made by a worker who takes legal action against their employer for negligence (they are ’suing’ their employer). This is sometimes called a ‘damages claim’.

Common law damages may include payments for economic loss, pain and suffering, medical and hospital costs, and legal expenses. Under the employer’s accident insurance policy, we may pay all damages awarded to the worker, including legal and investigation costs.

Common law damages 

Common law damages are payments made under a common law claim. They’re grouped into different types, known as ‘heads of damage’, which reflect the kinds of loss a worker may experience.

Examples include:

• General damages – compensation for pain and suffering.
• Economic loss – compensation for lost past earnings or future earning capacity. 

Common law total claim costs 

This is the total amount paid for all common law claims in a financial year. 

Contract for services 

A contract for services is an agreement where a person or business provides services to another person or business. Common examples include independent contractors and sole traders. 

Indicators of a contract for services include:

• the service provider is paid for the work they perform, such as their skills, labour or materials
• the service provider is not paid a salary or wages
• payment is usually made through a tax invoice and may include GST
• the service provider supplies their own tools, equipment, transport and workers
• the person engaging the service provider does not control how or when the work is done 

A contract for services is different from a contract of service (an employment relationship). 

Contract of service

A contract of service is an employment relationship between an employer and a worker.

Indicators of a contract of service include a person who:

• is paid a salary or wage
• works for one employer
• has set hours of work
• is supervised in their role
• can be disciplined or dismissed by the employer

A contract of service is different from a contract for services (an independent contractor arrangement).

Customer strategy principles

Customer strategy principles describe the experience we aim to provide customers across all interactions. There are six principles:

• empowered
• valued
• trustworthy
• easy
• transparent
• responsive.

These are based on customer research into what people expect from us.

D 

Damages

See Common law damages for the definition.

Damages claim

See Common law claim for the definition.

Damages ratio

This is the ratio of new common law claims to new statutory claims in a financial year.

Damages ratio (industry average)

This is the ratio of new common law claims to new statutory claims across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC) in a financial year.

Default assessment (automatic assessment)

A default assessment may be issued if an employer doesn’t provide the information needed to set up or assess an accident insurance policy. We estimate the employer’s wages using an amount we consider appropriate to calculate their premium.

An employer can object to a default assessment by writing to us within 15 business days of receiving the premium notice.

Degree of permanent impairment (DPI) 

The degree of permanent impairment (DPI) is the percentage of permanent impairment assigned to a work-related injury after a formal assessment. It’s used to calculate any lump sum payment that may be offered.

The range of impairment and payment amounts are set out in the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2025. 

Dependant of a deceased worker 

A dependant, of a deceased worker, is a member of the deceased worker’s family who was completely or partly dependent on the worker’s earnings at the time of the worker’s death or, but for the worker’s death, would have been so dependent.

This is defined in section 27 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. 

Dependant of a worker with a terminal condition

Dependant, of a worker, means a member of the worker’s family who is completely or partly dependent on the worker’s earnings.

A member of the worker’s family could be the worker’s:

• spouse
• parent, grandparent or step-parent
• child, grandchild or stepchild
• brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister
• a person the worker acts as a parent to
• a person who acts as a parent to the worker.

This is defined in section 128D(5) of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.

Discharge

Discharge is a term used in common law claims. After a claim is settled, the worker is asked to sign a discharge, which releases the employer, WorkCover, and any other relevant parties from any further liability for the claim. 

E 

Elective hospitalisation

Elective hospitalisation is when a worker is admitted to hospital for treatment or a procedure that they and their treating doctor have agreed is appropriate for effectively treating their injury. 

Eligible persons

An eligible person is someone who receives payment or benefits for work but isn’t classified as a worker. This can include contractors, self‑employed individuals, company directors, trustees and members of a partnership.

Employer excess

Employer excess is similar to an excess on other insurance policies. If a worker needs time off work, it’s the initial amount of weekly compensation the employer pays directly to the worker.

Employer name

Employer name is the name of the employer who holds the workers’ compensation insurance policy, as recorded in our system.

Employing entity

An employing entity such as a sole trader, partnership or corporation that has indicated it employs, or intends to employ, workers.

Estimated wages

Estimated wages are the amount of wages an employer expects to pay in the next financial year. We use this, along with actual wages from the previous financial year, to calculate the employer’s premium.

See the definition of Wages to find out what payments are included.

Experience-based rating (EBR)

Experience-based rating (EBR) is used to calculate an employer’s premium for their accident insurance policy. It considers the employer’s wages and claims experience, along with the wages and claims experience of their industry. This method applies to employers with annual wages of more than $1.5 million. 

F 

F factor

F factors are used to estimate the total cost of claims by adjusting known claim costs to show the expected final cost for each injury year. They are calculated each year at a scheme level and are the same for all policies. Details are published each year in the WorkCover Queensland Gazette Notice.

Final return to work percentage

This is the percentage of claims where a worker has returned to work after time off, compared to all claims in a financial year.

Final return to work percentage (industry average)

This is the percentage of claims where workers return to work after time off, based on results across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC). 

G 

Goods and services tax (GST)

GST applies to your premium. Most Queensland employers can claim an input tax credit through the Australian Taxation Office. To meet GST requirements, you’ll need to provide your ABN and your percentage entitlement to input tax credits (see input tax credit for more information).

Weekly compensation payments do not attract GST.

H 

Health provider

A health provider is a medical or allied health provider, such as a doctor, medical specialist, physiotherapist, chiropractor or occupational therapist, who is registered with the relevant professional board.

Host employer

A 'host employer' is an employer who provides a temporary placement for a worker at their workplace when their original employer can’t offer suitable duties. These programs normally run from three to six weeks. A host employer isn’t required to offer ongoing employment after the placement ends. 

I 

Industrial instrument

An industrial instrument is an award or a workplace agreement that sets the terms and conditions of a worker's employment.

For more information, visit fairwork.gov.au:

• Find my award
• Agreements

Industry classification

Find the definition under WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC). 

Industry rate    

The industry rate is the premium amount per $100 of wages for a specific WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC).

Injury 

Under section 32 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 an injury is, 'a personal injury arising out of, or in the course of, employment if the employment is a significant contributing factor to the injury.' 

Some examples of injuries include:

• a cut or fracture
• a disease, such as asbestos or Q-fever
• industrial deafness
• psychiatric or psychological conditions, such as stress or depression
• aggravation of a pre-existing condition
• death from an injury, disease or aggravation of a condition. 

Injury year

Injury year is the financial year in which the injury occurred (for example, the 2027 injury year covers 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027).

Input tax credit (ITC)

An input tax credit (ITC) is the amount of GST a business registered for GST can claim back (also called a GST credit). If a claim is made on the insurance policy, GST may apply to the payment unless the business has told us its ITC percentage.

Interstate claims

A worker may be entitled to compensation if they’re injured while working in another state or country, as long as their employment is connected to Queensland. 

IPaM

Injury Prevention and Management—WorkCover’s program in partnership with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland which helps employers who have a high frequency of claims bring about a workplace culture change and achieve a better standard of workplace health and safety and injury management. 

Irrevocable election

An irrevocable election is a choice a worker makes if they’re assessed with a work-related impairment of less than 20%. They must choose between accepting a statutory lump sum payment or making a common law claim against their employer. Once this choice is made, it can’t be changed.

Item number

An item number is a unique code for a service provided by a health provider. It identifies the service and the fee that can be charged. Item numbers are listed in the Table of Costs.

J

Journey claim

A worker may be entitled to compensation if they’re injured while travelling to or from work. This is called a journey claim.

The injury must happen outside the boundary of the worker’s home and some exclusions apply. 

L 

Large Employer Alternative Pricing (LEAP)

Large Employer Alternative Pricing (LEAP) is a pricing model used to calculate an employer’s premium for their accident insurance policy. This model is only available to eligible large employers. It’s designed for organisations with lower claims costs than their industry average, a strong focus on work health and safety, and an active approach to managing injuries and supporting return to work. 

Lump sum compensation

A worker may be entitled to a lump sum payment if they have a permanent impairment caused by a work-related injury. If a worker accepts a lump sum payment, they’ll no longer be eligible for statutory compensation.

M 

Mechanism of injury

The mechanism of injury is the action, exposure or event that caused the primary injury.

Medical assessment tribunals (MATs)

Medical assessment tribunals (MATs) provide independent medical assessments and make decisions about injury or impairment for workers’ compensation claims. They assess a worker’s injury or level of impairment based on a clinical examination, available medical information, and any submissions made by the worker or their representative.

MATs are run by the Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services (WCRS). 

Medical provider

A medical provider is a medical professional, such as a doctor or medical specialist, who is registered with the relevant professional board (for example, the Medical Board of Australia).

My Recovery Plan

The My Recovery Plan (previously called a Rehabilitation and Return to Work plan) sets out how a worker will recover from their injury and safely return to work. It’s tailored to the worker’s goals and outlines the support and steps needed for recovery. 

We coordinate the development of the plan within 10 business days of a claim being accepted, in line with section 221 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. 

N 

New common law claims

This is the number of new common law claims registered in a financial year.

New common law claims (industry average)

This is the average number of new common law claims across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC) in a financial year.

New statutory claims

This is the number of new statutory claims registered in a financial year, regardless of the accident date. It includes claims that move from notification to pending but excludes notification claims and cancelled claims.

New statutory claims (industry average)

This is the average number of new statutory claims across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC) in a financial year.

Non-elective hospitalisation

Non-elective hospitalisation is when a worker is admitted to hospital for urgent treatment, such as for life-threatening injuries or injuries that could result in the loss of, or serious damage to, a limb or organ.

Normal weekly earnings (NWE)

Normal weekly earnings (NWE) are the average weekly earnings of a worker from continuous or intermittent employment in the 12 months before the injury.

Notice of Assessment (NOA)

A Notice of Assessment (NOA) is a document we issue to a worker after they’ve been assessed with a permanent impairment from a work-related injury. It outlines the degree of impairment, and any lump sum payment offer.

Notice of claim for damages (NOC)

Before starting court proceedings for damages, a worker must notify us by completing a notice of claim for damages (NOC) form. This applies to workers, or dependants of workers who have died.  

O 

Occupation

Occupation is the worker’s job or role, as recorded on their application for compensation.

OPT

Over a period of time.

Overseas claims

A worker may be entitled to compensation if they’re injured while working in another state or country, as long as their principal place of employment and employment connection are in Queensland. 

P 

Paid days

Paid days are the total number of work days a worker has been paid weekly compensation for to date, including any days covered by the employer excess period.

Payments made on a claim

Payments made on a claim are grouped into the following categories:

• Compensation – weekly payments to a worker, based on their pre-injury award, workplace agreement, or a percentage of their normal weekly earnings.
• Medical – payments for medical treatment related to the work injury.
• Hospital – payments for hospital treatment, including surgery, theatre costs and hospital medications.
• Lump sum – a one-off payment made when a worker has a permanent impairment.
• Rehabilitation – payments to support a worker’s rehabilitation.
• Other – payments not included in other categories, such as travel, legal or funeral expenses.
• Payments in month – total payments made for the claim in the previous month.
• Payments year to date (YTD) – total payments made for the claim in the current financial year.
• Total payments – total payments made across all claims. 

Payroll number

The payroll number assigned to a worker by the employer.

Permanent impairment

Impairment is any loss or abnormality in a person’s psychological, physiological or physical function. It is considered permanent when the condition is stable, not expected to improve, and unlikely to change with further medical or surgical treatment.

Policy number

A policy number is the unique number used to identify your WorkCover Queensland policy. You can find it on the top right-hand side of your policy documents, such as your premium notice.

Policyholder

A policyholder is an individual or organisation that holds an insurance policy with WorkCover.

Premium notice

A premium notice is a document we send to policyholders that outlines the amount payable on their policy after it’s set up, renewed or reassessed.

Premium rate

The premium rate is the amount used to calculate an employer’s premium for a financial year. It takes into account wages, claims experience, the industry rate and the size of the business. The rate is shown as a dollar amount per $100 of wages. 

Premium value

Premium value is the total premium amount calculated by multiplying the premium rate by an employer’s actual wages. This amount does not include GST or stamp duty.

Principal place of employment

For businesses operating in more than one state, the principal place of employment is the state where the employer’s main business operations are based. 

Q 

Quantum

Quantum is a term used in common law to describe the total value of a claim, or the amount of compensation a worker is seeking.

Queensland ordinary time earnings (QOTE)

QOTE is a seasonally adjusted measure of full-time adult ordinary earnings in Queensland, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

R 

Recess claims

A worker may be entitled to compensation if they’re injured while temporarily away from their workplace during a normal break, such as a lunch break. This is called a recess claim.

Registered person

A registered person is a health provider, such as a doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor or occupational therapist, who is registered with the relevant professional board.

Registration date

The registration date is the date a workers’ compensation claim is registered with us.

Rehabilitation

Under workers’ compensation legislation, rehabilitation aims to support a worker’s safe and early return to work, or to maximise their independent functioning.

Rehabilitation for return to work (sometimes called occupational, vocational or workplace rehabilitation) can include treatment from a range of health providers, assessments of work capacity and suitable duties programs.

Under legislation, workers and employers must take every reasonable step to participate in rehabilitation and return-to-work programs.

Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator 

A Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (sometimes called a rehabilitation coordinator) is a person employed by an employer to support a worker’s recovery and return to work. They work with the worker, treating providers and us to develop suitable rehabilitation strategies.

Under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, employers must appoint a coordinator if:

• their annual wages in Queensland are 5,200 times QOTE for the previous financial year, or
• they operate in a high-risk industry and their annual wages are 2,600 times QOTE for the previous financial year. 

Rehabilitation and return to work plan

See My Recovery Plan for definition. 

Rehabilitation provider

A rehabilitation provider is a health professional who supports a worker’s recovery and return to work after a workplace injury. This can include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and osteopaths.

Rehabilitation services provider

A rehabilitation services provider (previously called a return to work services provider) is a specialist in workplace rehabilitation. They support workers to overcome challenges affecting their rehabilitation or ability to return to work.

If a worker needs extra support to return to work, we may refer them to a rehabilitation services provider. 

Return to work (RTW)

Return to work (RTW) is a worker’s safe, timely and medically supported return to their pre-injury duties, or to suitable alternative work, after a workplace injury. 

S 

Self-insurer

A self-insurer is an employer approved to manage their own workers’ compensation claims. To become a self-insurer, the employer must meet specific criteria and be licensed by the Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services, which also renews these licenses.

Significant contributing factor

A significant contributing factor means a person’s work has contributed to their injury in a significant way.

This can be because of:

• an event or incident at work
• the nature of the work
• the conditions the work is done under.

Work does not need to be the only cause of the injury, but it must be a significant factor in contributing to the injury for it to be considered an ‘injury’ under the legislation.

Simplified model

The simplified model is used to calculate an employer’s premium for their accident insurance policy. It considers the employer’s wages, their claims costs from the last financial year and the claims costs of their industry. This method applies to employers with annual wages of less than $1.5 million.

Sizing factor

A sizing factor determines how much of a policyholder’s claims experience is used to calculate their premium rate. It takes into account the size of the employer and their industry and only applies to some policyholders.

Stable and stationary

A condition is stable and stationary when it’s not expected to improve with further medical or surgical treatment. This suggests the condition has reached maximum medical improvement and suitable rehabilitation has been carried out.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty is a government tax applied to certain transactions, including workers’ compensation insurance premiums. It’s payable to the Queensland Government and has been included in premiums since 1916. We show stamp duty as a separate line item on your premium notice.

Statutory (no-fault) claim

A statutory (no-fault) claim is when a worker receives compensation for a work-related injury under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.

These payments, known as statutory compensation, can include:

• weekly payments to replace income
• hospital, medical and rehabilitation expenses
• lump sum payments for permanent impairment. 

Statutory claims are assessed on a no-fault basis. This means compensation may be paid regardless of who caused the injury. 

Statutory claim cost (industry average)

This is the average cost of statutory claims across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC) in a financial year.

Statutory compensation

Statutory compensation includes payments and benefits made under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 as part of a statutory claim.

These may include:

• weekly payments to replace income
• hospital, medical and rehabilitation expenses
• lump sum payments for permanent impairment.

Stay at work percentage

This is the percentage of accepted claims where a worker didn’t need time off work, compared to all accepted claims in a financial year. It’s based on the worker’s capacity to work at the time the claim is first accepted.

Stay at work percentage (industry average)

This is the percentage of accepted claims where workers didn’t need time off work, based on results across the same WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC).

Succession

Succession may be applied when a new employer takes over an existing business, and the new employer has a prior connection to that business. When succession applies, the former employer’s claims experience is used when calculating the new employer’s premium.

Suitable duties program

A suitable duties program helps workers return to work safely and gradually through a structured and supervised process. It matches a worker’s abilities with appropriate tasks and hours, with the goal of supporting their return to normal duties. 

T 

Tax equivalents regime

WorkCover operates under the National Tax Equivalents Regime (NTER). This means we pay an equivalent amount of income tax as if we were a registered company.

Time loss claim

A time loss claim is when a worker needs to take time off work due to an injury. Workers with time loss are paid weekly compensation to replace their income during this time.

Total statutory claim cost

This is the total amount paid on a statutory claim within a financial year.

Treatment provider

A treatment provider is a medical or allied health provider, such as a doctor, medical specialist, physiotherapist, chiropractor or occupational therapist, who is registered with the relevant professional board.

W 

Wage Audit

A wage audit is a review of an employer’s financial and payroll records to check that the correct wages have been declared to us.

Wages

Wages are the total amount an employer pays a worker for their work, as defined by Schedule 6 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.

This includes wages, salary and other benefits that have a monetary value.

Wages are calculated before tax, superannuation and other deductions, like HECS or HELP repayments.

Wages payments

Wages payments are the weekly earnings of a worker from continuous or intermittent employment in the 12 months before their injury.

WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC)

WorkCover Industry Classification (WIC) is a system based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification. It groups businesses into industry categories based on their main business activity.

Sometimes called an industry classification.

Worker

Under section 11 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, a worker is an individual employed under a contract of service, or someone specifically included under Schedule 2 Part 1, unless excluded under Schedule 2 Part 2.

A worker can include:

• an employee
• a trainee, apprentice or work experience student
• a volunteer
• a contractor or sub-contractor
• an employee of a contractor or sub-contractor
• an employee of a labour hire company
• a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who performs work for the business.

Whether someone is considered a worker depends on their individual working arrangement.