Workplace rehabilitation providers

It may be advisable to engage an approved workplace rehabilitation provider when:

• you are unable to carry out pre-injury duties and there is a need to identify alternative or modified duties with either the same employer or a new employer
• there is a need to complete a practical assessment of your capacity to return to work
• you are experiencing problems associated with returning to work (for example, you may be anxious about returning to a particular work area or job)
• modifications are required to the workplace, or aids and equipment are required to assist your return to work (for example, this may be required when you are restricted while recovering from major surgery or there are multiple injuries)
• there is a need to assess the suitability of a Return to Work Program with a new employer if this is identified by you, the employer and your treating medical practitioner as the new rehabilitation goal
• there is a need to determine whether retraining should be provided.

An approved workplace rehabilitation provider will deliver an appropriate professional Return to Work Program by undertaking the following:

1. When the referral is received, the rehabilitation provider completes an assessment to determine if further rehabilitation services or a specific service would be of benefit.
2. If the assessment indicates that rehabilitation services are recommended, the rehabilitation provider should discuss the findings of the assessment with you, your employer and your treating medical practitioner.
3. If agreed, the recommended services are then described in a service delivery plan, which must be signed by you and agreed by your employer and your treating medical practitioner before the services can be provided. A service delivery plan is not required when a single service is to be provided.
4. The rehabilitation provider should give a copy of the agreed plan to you, your employer and your treating medical practitioner. All parties should receive regular information about the costs incurred and the anticipated costs of your rehabilitation services.

Note: Resolution of issues not related to the Return to Work Program and your rehabilitation generally are not part of the rehabilitation provider’s role.

Injured workers, employers or treating medical practitioners can initiate a referral to a workplace rehabilitation provider.

A referral may be completed on the Workplace Rehabilitation Referral Form available on the Workers forms page or may be made on your First or Progress Certificate of Capacity.

You have the right to choose

As an injured worker, you have the right to choose your workplace rehabilitation provider, even when the referral is made by the treating medical practitioner or your employer.

See the list of WorkCover WA approved workplace rehabilitation providers.

You are entitled to claim for reasonable workplace rehabilitation expenses, but there is a limit to your entitlement that is determined by the Prescribed amount.

Workplace rehabilitation providers are approved by WorkCover WA and their costs are covered up to an approved percentage of the Prescribed amount in every workers’ compensation claim. Costs may vary according to the services they provide, but the maximum amount they can charge is determined by WorkCover WA and reviewed annually.

Workplace rehabilitation providers can provide any of the following services in helping workers return to work:

• support counselling
• vocational counselling
• purchase of aids and appliances
• case management
• retraining criteria assistance
• training and education
• workplace activities
• placement activities
• assessments (functional capacity, vocational, ergonomic, job demands, workplace, and aids and appliances)
• travel
• medical
• general reports