Understanding your general entitlements
If you’ve been injured at work in NSW, it’s natural to have questions about what treatment you’re entitled to. This is general information only, not legal advice — for guidance specific to your circumstances, speak with your claims agent, a union representative, or a legal professional.
Broadly, what’s typically covered
- Reasonably necessary medical and allied health treatment related to your workplace injury
- Treatment that’s been approved as part of your accepted claim
- In many cases, minimal to no out-of-pocket cost for approved treatment
What counts as “reasonably necessary” is determined on a case-by-case basis, generally with input from your treating doctor and, where needed, your claims agent.
Choosing your treating provider
In NSW, injured workers generally have a right to choose their own treating doctor and, in many cases, their allied health providers, rather than being restricted to a specific list. This means you can choose to see our AHPRA-registered physiotherapists and chiropractors for your treatment.
If treatment is declined
Sometimes specific treatment requests are declined by an insurer. If this happens, there are generally processes to seek a review of that decision — your claims agent can explain the steps, or you may wish to seek independent advice.
Quick tip
Keep records of your appointments, referrals and any correspondence with your claims agent — this can be useful if you ever need to query a decision about your treatment.
Getting support
Understanding your rights can feel overwhelming while you’re also recovering from an injury. Support services, unions, and legal advice are available if you need help navigating your claim beyond the general information here.
Knowing your general rights makes it easier to ask the right questions during your recovery.
Understanding independent medical examinations
As part of some WorkCover claims, insurers may request an independent medical examination with another practitioner to help inform decisions about your claim. This is a standard part of the process for some claims, rather than a sign anything is wrong with your treatment or claim.
If you’re asked to attend one of these examinations, your treating physiotherapist or GP can help explain what to expect and answer any questions you might have beforehand.
Getting further support
If you feel your claim or treatment isn’t progressing as expected, support services such as the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office (WIRO) in NSW, a union, or independent legal advice can help you understand your options further.
Treatment beyond physiotherapy
Depending on your injury, your entitlements under WorkCover NSW may extend beyond physiotherapy to other allied health services, specialist consultations, or diagnostic imaging where reasonably necessary. Your treating doctor can help identify what additional support may be appropriate for your recovery.
The role of your treating doctor
Your treating doctor plays a central role throughout a WorkCover claim, providing certificates of capacity that outline your fitness for work and any restrictions, and referring you to appropriate allied health treatment. Keeping consistent, open communication with your treating doctor helps ensure your broader treatment team, including your physiotherapist or chiropractor, is working from the same information.
If you disagree with a decision made about your treatment or capacity, it’s worth discussing this directly with your treating doctor first, since they can often provide additional clinical information to support a review if one is needed. Support services and legal advice remain available if a resolution can’t be reached this way.
Learn more from official sources: State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) NSW. Information on this page is general in nature and does not replace advice from your treating doctor or claims agent.
Information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for individualised advice from a registered health practitioner. Our practitioners are registered with AHPRA.