Get involved in Return to work assist

Return to work assist is a free Q-COMP initiative helping injured workers at risk of long-term unemployment access government funded programs and services to help them get back to work. Participation is voluntary for both insurers and injured workers.

Return to work assist was launched in September 2008 and is available to injured workers throughout Queensland from both WorkCover Queensland and self-insured employers.

If you're treating an injured worker at risk of not returning to work because of their injury and they fit the following criteria, you can discuss the opportunity to be part Return to work assist with the worker and the voluntary nature of the initiative.

The criteria includes:

• claim has been closed or is nearing finalisation
• no job to return to
• resides in Queensland.

Initial results show positive outcomes for injured workers. Of the 98 referrals we have received, 45 of these have completed the process with 38% successfully returning to work and 55% having been provided with new career options (we will survey these people approximately four months from the time they leave the program to measure how many return to work).

Workers in the program are receiving re-training or are being linked with appropriate service providers. Less than 3% of participants withdrew from the process.

These results are significant for Queensland given potentially none of these 98 people would have returned to any form of work.

Find out how you can refer an injured worker who may benefit from Return to work assist at qcomp.com.au.

For more details, you can also contact Return to work assist and Awards Manager, Sonia Minniecon on 3020 6417.