Return to Work Queensland

26/10/2026

Has your insurer sent you a rehabilitation and return to work plan (RRTW) for your worker, but you aren’t sure what it is?

A RRTW plan is a roadmap to manage a worker’s recovery and return to work.

A RRTW plan outlines how everyone will work together to help a worker return to work safely and quickly, and in a way that works for both a worker and their employer.

Think of it as a:

🗓️ Planning tool, that sets out the steps and key dates involved in a worker’s rehabilitation.
🤝 Communication tool, that supports successful outcomes, so everyone is clear on their role, responsibilities and timeframes.

Workers are more likely to return to work when a RRTW plan is in place. A clear rehabilitation and return to work plan helps keep recovery on track, supports collaboration between the worker, employer, treating health practitioners and other relevant parties, can reduce the risk of lengthy claim durations, and can contribute to better return to work outcomes.

For employers, a successful return to work can deliver significant benefits. It can mean reduced claim cost, retaining valuable skills and experience, improved workplace productivity and helping workers return to meaningful work sooner.

Learn more about rehabilitation and return to work planning: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/rehabilitation-and-return-to-work/getting-back-to-work/Planning-a-return-to-work-Rehabilitation-and-return-to-work-plans

22/10/2026

Strong leadership, supportive workplace relationships and clear communication create a culture where workers can report injuries, access support, and stay engaged in their recovery with confidence - leading to better return to work outcomes.

What can employers do today to start on this journey?

Foster a positive and psychologically safe workplace culture that supports worker health, wellbeing, rehabilitation and return to work.

Ensure workers know their workers' compensation rights and how to access support, including available services, programs and workplace resources.

Engage workers in decision making and maintain open communication between leaders and frontline staff to identify and address workplace risks and concerns.

Want to learn more? Read the full case study, including detailed actions employers can take and a toolkit of resources. https://bit.ly/4xL35Yu

21/10/2026

The most effective rehabilitation and return to work plans have one thing in common - they're built with people, not for people.

Did you know? Workers' compensation insurers must ensure rehabilitation and return to work plans are developed in consultation with the worker, their employer and treating health providers.

In practice, consultation looks like:

🤝 Including the worker in discussions from the start of their claim.
💬 Asking open questions and encouraging feedback.
👥 Considering everyone's perspectives before making decisions.
📩 Providing an opportunity to raise additional information after meetings.
🔄 Adapting communication to meet the worker's individual needs.

Consultation should continue throughout a worker's recovery journey – not just when the plan is developed. From identifying barriers to recovery, to reviewing progress and suitable duties, meaningful collaboration helps ensure support remains relevant and effective.

When workers feel supported, heard and involved in decisions about their recovery, return to work outcomes improve. Employers also benefit through faster recovery, shorter claim durations and improved workplace productivity.

Learn more about return to work planning: https://bit.ly/4y02UJ7

18/10/2026

Responding to a work-related mental injury can feel challenging, and many employers worry about saying the wrong thing or not knowing what support is available.

That's why we developed Guiding the Way: Responding to Mental Injury at Work, a practical resource to help employers understand their role and support workers through recovery and return to work.

The framework provides guidance on how to:

🔎 Recognise the signs of poor mental health
💬 Take early action and start supportive conversations
🆘 Access appropriate support and services
🔄 Plan for a safe and sustainable return to work
🌱 Promote a mentally healthy workplace

You don't need to have all the answers you just need to know how to start the conversation.

16/10/2026

Returning to work after a work-related injury or illness is an important part of recovery and helps you get life back to normal quicker. It's a team effort between you, your employer, WorkCover Queensland (or a self-insurer) and your medical or rehabilitation provider.

This guide outlines the steps involved in starting your recovery and getting you back to work. It also helps you understand who's responsible for what in the process. Information in this guide is relevant for both injured workers and employers.

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/resources/guides/getting-back-to-work

13/10/2026

For workers living with a chronic condition, returning to work can mean navigating ongoing pain, fatigue, treatment appointments and changing capacity. That's why successful return to work plans need flexibility, regular review and a focus on long term sustainability.

Employers can make a significant difference through adjusted hours, modified duties, regular check-ins and supportive workplace practices.

Supporting workers with chronic conditions involves creating an environment where people can perform and contribute at their best, safely and confidently.

The benefits extend beyond the individual:
❤️‍🩹 Better health outcomes
🙌 Improved employee engagement
🎓 Retention of valuable skills and experience
🌏🤝 More inclusive workplaces

Return to work is not just about recovery, it's about creating a pathway for long term sustainable outcomes.

13/10/2026

Creating safer, healthier workplaces starts with sharing knowledge and putting it into practice.

The Work Well Conference 2026 was a great opportunity to explore new ideas for supporting worker health, wellbeing and recovery.

Check out the highlights from this year's event! 👇

We’re still buzzing after an incredible day at the Work Well Conference 2026 in Brisbane!

Thank you to all the delegates who joined us yesterday.

A special thanks to Mark Visser, Dr Liz Crowe, Louise Robinson, Jordan Landy, Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, Dr Sara Pazell and Dr Darren Morton for making the day such a success!

16/09/2026

Under Queensland workers’ compensation laws, some employers must appoint a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator (RRTWC).

If you meet the requirements to appoint a RRTWC, you must:

✅ ensure they are based in Queensland, employed under a contract, and are appropriately skilled, experienced or trained for the role
✅ provide their details to your insurer within 12 months of appointing them, and within 12 months after any change in appointment.

If you don’t meet your obligations, you may face financial penalties or prosecution.

Understanding your responsibilities is an important part of supporting a worker’s recovery and achieving positive return to work outcomes.

Unsure if this applies to you? Talk to your insurer or find out more about your obligations here: https://bit.ly/43B3Eb4

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

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