Employer obligations - an overview

All employers must:

• have a current workers’ compensation insurance policy with WorkCover Queensland that covers all workers (or may 'self-insure' if they meet the self-insurance criteria)
• notify WorkCover Queensland of any workplace injuries within eight business days
• take all reasonable steps to help or provide their workers with rehabilitation and suitable duties while they are being paid compensation
• ensure rehabilitation is of a suitable standard as detailed in the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2003.

You must not dismiss the worker within 12 months from the date of injury solely or mainly because they can't be employed due to their injury.

If you have wages in Queensland of $5.998 million for the preceding financial year or are in a high risk industry with wages in Queensland for the preceding financial year of $1.826 million, you must :

• have a workplace rehabilitation policy and procedures accredited by Q-COMP which outlines:
• your commitment to assist injured workers to access necessary treatment and rehabilitation
• specific steps you will take to achieve safe, timely and durable return to work
• appoint a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator (RRTWC) registered with Q-COMP who will:
• initiate early communication with an injured worker
• develop the suitable duties program with the worker and their employer, in line with the current medical certificate.

The insurer coordinates the overall rehabilitation and return to work plan—you develop the suitable duties program with the worker and their doctor. You can outsource the RRTWC role.