Return to Work Queensland

Return to Work Queensland The official Queensland Government agency for rehabilitation and return to work (RRTW).

The Return to Work Queensland page provides resources to help rehabilitation and return to work coordinators and their employers achieve best practice. If you're part of the return to work community, use this page to connect with your peers and join a strong support network in Queensland.

Find out how early intervention, creative suitable duties and a person-centred approach helped a worker recovering from ...
14/09/2026

Find out how early intervention, creative suitable duties and a person-centred approach helped a worker recovering from a psychological injury successfully returned to their pre-injury role with greater confidence and capability.

Successful recovery is a team effort. Employers, supervisors, rehabilitation and return to work coordinators, treating practitioners and insurers all play an important role in supporting recovery through tailored, person-centred plans.

How can employers make a difference?

💬 Respond with empathy when a worker discloses a psychological injury.
🤝 Act early and maintain regular, supportive contact.
💡 Think creatively about suitable duties and workplace adjustments.
🛡️ Build a psychologically safe workplace culture where workers feel supported to speak up and seek help.
📝 Collaborate to develop meaningful, tailored rehabilitation and return to work plans and suitable duties programs.

Read the case study here: https://bit.ly/4cPYPi7

Workers’ compensation stigma occurs when a worker seeking compensation is discriminated against or stereotyped for seeki...
07/09/2026

Workers’ compensation stigma occurs when a worker seeking compensation is discriminated against or stereotyped for seeking support. It can affect all aspects of the workers’ compensation process, such as preventing a worker from disclosing an injury or illness, reducing their engagement with the claims process, and impacting successful return to work outcomes.

Creating positive and supportive workplaces is key to reducing stigma around workers’ compensation, and everyone has a role to play.

Safe Work Australia is taking action to reduce workers’ compensation stigma. They have developed a range of practical resources to help employers, supervisors and workers to identify and reduce workers’ compensation stigma in the workplace including:

🔍 Case studies
📝 Factsheets
📈 Infographics
🖼️ Posters

Visit the Safe Work Australia website to explore the resources and learn more about reducing workers’ compensation sigma in your workplace: https://bit.ly/466t00H

Safe and sustainable return to work often involves two similar but different key tools.Rehabilitation and return to work...
26/08/2026

Safe and sustainable return to work often involves two similar but different key tools.

Rehabilitation and return to work (RRTW) plans are collaborative roadmaps created by an insurer with a worker, their employer and treating providers. They outline return to work goals, treatment, work capacity, suitable duties, restrictions, adjustments, and review dates.

Suitable duties programs are practical, task-focused plans developed by an employer. They detail what tasks a worker can safely do, hours and days of work, timeframes, restrictions, and how duties will progress as capacity improves. A suitable duties program sits within a RRTW plan and provides the day-to-day structure for a safe return to work.

Understanding the difference between these tools helps to keep everyone on track.

Learn more about the difference between these two tools - https://bit.ly/4g4DnYs

Did you know?Under section 228(S228) of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, employers must take all r...
18/08/2026

Did you know?

Under section 228(S228) of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, employers must take all reasonable steps to provide or assist with a worker's rehabilitation during their recovery.

This means providing suitable duties where possible to support a safe and sustainable return to work.

If you believe suitable duties are not practicable, you must provide your insurer with written evidence explaining why.

If you fail to meet these obligations, you may incur financial penalties or be prosecuted.

Understanding your responsibilities is an important part of supporting workers' recovery and achieving positive return to work outcomes.

For more information, contact your insurer or visit: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/rehabilitation-and-return-to-work/recovering-from-injury-or-illness/rehabilitation-roles-and-responsibilities/employer-obligations

When a worker is injured, it not only leads to time out of the workplace — it can shake their identity, confidence and s...
16/08/2026

When a worker is injured, it not only leads to time out of the workplace — it can shake their identity, confidence and sense of purpose.

The hidden impact of a workplace injury can show up as:

🧠 Loss of confidence in skills, value and future direction
🔄 Fear of being replaced or disconnected from their work community
💔 Grief of being unable to perform a role that once defined them

Rehabilitation and return to work coordinators are often the bridge back to meaning, connection and self‑belief for workers.

Making time and having honest conversations, providing suitable duties that feel purposeful, and checking in on a worker’s mental wellbeing can make a positive difference to a worker’s recovery and return to work.

Learn more about how to take a person-centred approach: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/newsletters/rehabilitation-and-return-to-work/rehabilitation-and-return-to-work-e-bulletin-editions/2022-e-bulletins/july-2022/what-is-a-person-centred-approach

If you’re in the transport, postal or warehousing industry keep reading!An industry survey to gain a deeper understandin...
02/08/2026

If you’re in the transport, postal or warehousing industry keep reading!

An industry survey to gain a deeper understanding of workers in these industries is closing at the end of this month.

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, in partnership with SuperFriend and supported by GT Insurance, launched the Thriving Workplace Index survey to capture the real experiences of people working across the supply chain.

The survey aims to improve understanding of the challenges faced by workers, improve the mental health supports and information available, and identify where more support is needed.

Take ten minutes to make your voice count: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HHTS1

When a worker experiences an injury, they're often navigating uncertainty about their health, their role, and what comes...
28/07/2026

When a worker experiences an injury, they're often navigating uncertainty about their health, their role, and what comes next.

That uncertainty can increase stress, affect confidence, and, in some cases, delay recovery and return to work.

That's why genuine care, concern and clear communication matter.

Simple but effective communication practices can include:

🗓️ Checking in regularly, even when there is no update to share
🤝 Keeping conversations respectful and supportive
🗣️ Using clear, easy-to-understand language
📋 Clearly communicating the information available, and identifying what still needs to be resolved
💪 Focusing on what the worker can do, rather than what they can’t

The goal isn’t to have all the answers, it’s to keep the conversation going.

When workers feel supported and informed, they're better positioned to engage in their recovery and achieve positive return to work outcomes.

The Return to Work Communications Toolkit from ‘Good to go’ was developed by ARPA National and includes practical tools to help you keep the conversation going. You can find it here: https://goodrtw.org.au/communication-guide/

Two more people have recently been prosecuted for defrauding WorkCover.On 25 May 2026 a worker was convicted of defraudi...
20/07/2026

Two more people have recently been prosecuted for defrauding WorkCover.

On 25 May 2026 a worker was convicted of defrauding WorkCover because she worked for approximately four months while receiving compensation and hid this from WorkCover. She lied to her doctor and WorkCover about it, and when confronted, she lied again.

She was sentenced to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to repay nearly $12,000 to WorkCover.

On 29 May 2026, another worker was convicted of defrauding WorkCover. He made 33 false claims for reimbursement of expenses to travel to attend suitable duties he never undertook, and for accommodation that his employer had paid for.

The worker was sentenced to three months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to repay more than $4,500 to WorkCover.

Fraud is a crime. If you suspect it, report it: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/contact/report-fraud

A successful return to work journey begins with strong, supportive leadership.The National Return to Work Survey results...
14/07/2026

A successful return to work journey begins with strong, supportive leadership.

The National Return to Work Survey results highlight the challenges many workers with injuries continue to face:

• 64% of workers with a psychological injury felt their supervisor thought they were exaggerating or faking their injury.
• 41% of injured workers who had not returned to work believed they would be treated poorly after lodging a workers’ compensation claim.

When workers are concerned about how they'll be treated after reporting an injury or lodging a claim, they may delay seeking support, disengage from the recovery process, or experience poorer return to work outcomes.

Leadership plays a critical role in changing this – what can you do now?

• Senior leaders can put initiatives in place to support a positive workplace culture for safety, rehabilitation and return to work.
• Leaders can actively support and promote the business’s commitment to worker health and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with staff on solutions rather than imposing changes from the top down.
• Educate staff and supervisors about why return to work matters and how everyone plays a part.
• Train supervisors on how to talk to injured workers, help plan their return and resolve issues.

For guidance on responding to psychological injury at work, explore: https://bit.ly/4fGjWm7

The Workers’ Psychological Support Service (WPSS) has reached an important milestone - supporting 5,000 workers since th...
07/07/2026

The Workers’ Psychological Support Service (WPSS) has reached an important milestone - supporting 5,000 workers since the service commenced in 2018.

Delivered by experienced social workers, the service provides support and guidance for Queensland workers (and their families) who have been impacted by a work-related psychological injury, by connecting them with community supports.

This milestone demonstrates that workers are asking for help, and highlights the importance of early, tailored support for workers experiencing psychological injury.

This independent, confidential and free service is available to help all Queensland workers. If you’re an employer supporting a worker with a psychological injury, WPSS is a practical resource you can refer them to.

Call 1800 370 732 or visit wpss.org.au.

Address

150 Mary Street
Brisbane City, QLD
4000

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300362128

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