An approved medical specialist (AMS) plays an important role in the Western Australian workers’ compensation scheme. An AMS assesses an injured worker’s degree of permanent whole of person impairment (PWPI) caused by workplace injuries. These assessments determine access to certain workers’ compensation entitlements by injured workers.
WorkCover WA may designate a person as an AMS if the person is a registered medical practitioner who WorkCover WA considers to be sufficiently trained in the use of WorkCover WA Guidelines and satisfies WorkCover WA’s eligibility criteria.
WorkCover WA's register of approved medical specialistsSee WorkCover WA’s register of approved medical specialists.
How to become an approved medical specialistSee below to find out how to become designated as an approved medical specialist (AMS) operating within the Western Australian workers’ compensation and injury management scheme or to see if there are any upcoming dates scheduled for training in the use of the WorkCover WA Guidelines.
Publication resourcesGo to How to become an approved medical specialist.
Check for any upcoming WA Guidelines training dates on WorkCover WA’s Events page.
Role of an approved medical specialist
Evaluation of permanent impairment
Impairment assessment forms- WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, fourth edition (PDF 652KB)
This guide is used by Approved Medical Specialists when evaluating the degree of an injured worker’s permanent impairment. - WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Summary of Changes from third to fourth edition (PDF – 255KB)
Outlines changes between the third and fourth editions of the WorkCover WA Guidelines.
- WorkCover WA Guidance Notes for Approved Medical Specialists Procedures for the permanent impairment assessment process (PDF – 1MB)
Outlines the methodology, process and terminology of the impairment assessment process. - Notice about special evaluations – on or after 12 October 2020 (PDF – 580kb)
- Fact Sheet: Assessment of Permanent Injuries before and after 14 November 2005 (PDF – 2MB)
Provides guidance in determining the process to be followed when requesting or undertaking a disability or impairment assessment.
Access the forms required for conducting permanent impairment assessments.
Go to Impairment assessment forms.
