COVID-19 and Workers Compensation Certificates of Capacity

Do you have a Workers Compensation Claim? Are you required to provide Workers Compensation Certificates of Capacity to the Insurer each month?

Amendments to the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 came into effect on 17 March 2020 due to _COVID-19 _Legislative Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020.

One of the amendments provides that whilst a General Practitioner must provide the initial Certificate of Capacity, treating physiotherapists and psychologists can provide subsequent Certificates (as long as the injury relates to their area of expertise).

Further, Certificates of Capacity can now be issued for more than 28 days in some circumstances. This can usually be done if a person’s injury is stable and unlikely to change over the period of the Certificate. We encourage Worker’s to speak with their treating doctors and their Case Manager in relation to longer certificates.

These changes are set to relieve pressure on GP’s and the overall health system, whilst ensuring injured persons obtain their statutory entitlements in a timely manner.

Please contact our compensation team if you have any questions in relation to providing certification for your workers compensation claim during COVID-19.

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