Workcover - QLD - FAQs    

Who is entitled to WorkCover compensation?

Workers are entitled to compensation for work injuries / disease.

These include:

• Full-time, part-time and casual workers
• Persons employed under a contract of service
• Many contractors may be entitled to workers compensation in certain circumstances
• Workers hired out by labour hire agencies or group training organisations
• Sharefarmers

Persons entitled to workers compensation other than workers.

These may include:

• Volunteers
• Persons involved in providing services under the State Emergency Service
• Persons performing community service

If you work for the Commonwealth Government your work injury claim will be covered under Comcare rather than WorkCover.

From 1 July 2003, the following persons are not considered workers entitled to claim workers compensation under the Queensland WorkCover Legislation;

• directors of companies
• trustees
• partners
• professional sportspersons
• share fishers
• driving instructors and
• persons working for unemployment payment programs.

Slater & Gordon can help with investigating alternative legal remedies.

What kind of injuries does WorkCover give compensation for?

WorkCover provides compensation for:

• Injuries sustained at work, including during lunch and other breaks
• Pre-existing injuries or medical conditions aggravated by work
• Diseases contracted in the course of employment whether at or away from the place of work if work is found to be the significant contributing factor to the disease
• Injuries sustained at work functions
• Injuries sustained during work training sessions
• Injuries sustained while travelling in the course of work
• Injuries sustained travelling to and from work

What if I am injured interstate or overseas?

If you are working away from your usual workplace and you are injured you may be covered.

What if I am injured travelling between home and work?

If you are travelling between home and work and are injured you may be entitled to receive workers compensation providing your injury was sustained while you were travelling on your usual direct route either to work or home from work and there has been no substantial delay in the commencement of your journey.

What about illnesses?

Diseases and medical conditions which may be covered by WorkCover include:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Lung conditions
• Dermatitis
• Psychiatric conditions

Work must be the significant contributing factor to the disease or the aggravation of the medical condition.