Return to Work Queensland

Empower your managers with the skills to identify psychosocial risks early, support recovery and create safer, healthier teams. One way you can do this is by engaging an Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) approved facilitator to deliver a mentally healthy workplaces workshop.

Choose the format that works for you:

👥 in-person workshops
💻 online interactive workshops

Content in the workshops align with the mentally healthy workplaces toolkit: https://bit.ly/4fMF76k

Workplaces can now engage facilitators directly on a user‑pays basis.

Prepare your leaders. Strengthen your culture. Build a safer workplace.

Creating a psychologically safe workplace supports emotional wellbeing, helps workers recover with confidence, and keeps your costs down.

New research shows that secondary psychological injury is often driven by uncertainty, lack of control, financial stress and pre-injury mental health.

You can help prevent further harm by:

🤝 reaching out early, communicating genuinely and taking time to listen
🧭 providing clear guidance through the claim process and recognising when extra support is needed
📝 working closely with your insurer to make sure suitable duties and recovery plans are tailored to a worker’s needs.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4d7aSYJ

Workers’ compensation fraud is a crime.

The Workers’ Compensation Regulator does not tolerate fraud in the scheme.

A Taskforce between the Office of Industrial Relations and WorkCover Queensland has just been established to crackdown on fraud.

Read more about it and recent prosecution outcomes where people have been jailed for defrauding WorkCover: https://bit.ly/4tx2kPI

Secondary psychological injuries are increasing within the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme.

📈 5.1% of workers who take time off work for a physical injury later develop an accepted secondary psychological injury. This rate has doubled over the past five years.
⏳ Affected workers are spending an average of 303 days away from work, significantly reducing their overall likelihood to return to work.
💰 The average claim involving a secondary psychological injury costs $130,785.

During FY2026-27, Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services will undertake a targeted audit of all Queensland insurers focused on how secondary psychological injuries are identified and managed.

The audit will explore how insurers identify psychological injury risks and provide early support.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3PmT2aZ

When GPs and employers work together, injured workers return to work faster, safer and with more confidence.

You can work collaboratively with GPs by:

✅ Sharing clear information about the physical and psychosocial work environment
🛠️ Providing suitable, graduated duties that align with the GP’s recommendations
🔒 Respecting privacy and only requesting information relevant to the worker’s capacity

Stronger communication leads to stronger recovery outcomes.

Read more on the principles on the role of the GP in supporting work participation: https://bit.ly/430LGNE

The healthy work survey is a free, confidential tool designed to help businesses support the health and wellbeing of workers by assessing and managing common workplace health risks.

The survey provides insights into how work can be designed to protect and promote worker health. Businesses that complete the survey are sent a personalised summary of their results.

Learn more about the survey at Healthy work survey: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-work-survey

The Workers Compensation Information and Advisory Service for Employers is a free, confidential and independent advice and support service.

It can provide expert advice to guide you through:

applicable timeframes
journey claims
reviews and appeals
rehabilitation and return to work
steps in the process, who to speak to, and where to find reliable information.

Call 1300 365 855 or visit https://www.wcias-for-employers.com.au/

Research consistently shows that workers recovering from psychological injuries are less likely to receive support from their employer.

Return to work rates improve when supervisors respond positively and make meaningful workplace adjustments to support recovery.

Check out our recent Rehabilitation and Return to Work ebulletin case study: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/newsletters/rehabilitation-and-return-to-work/rehabilitation-and-return-to-work-e-bulletin-editions/2026-e-bulletins/march-2026/case-study-thinking-outside-the-box-with-psychological-injuries-and-rehabilitation-and-return-to-work

Have your say.

Your experience working in the transport, postal and warehousing industry matters.

A new industry survey is gaining a deeper understanding of workers in the transport, postal and warehousing industry.

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, in partnership with SuperFriend and supported by GT Insurance, has 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 and make your voice count: www.surveymonkey.com/r/HHTS1