WorkCover Doctor Taree 

The process starts with reporting your injury to your employer as soon as possible — NSW requires notification within 30 days, but immediate reporting keeps things cleanest. Your employer must record the injury and notify their workers' compensation insurer within 48 hours. From there, see a doctor and make clear that the injury is work-related so it's documented properly and a certificate of capacity can be issued; this certificate, along with the claim details, goes to the insurer.

For straightforward claims, the insurer commences provisional weekly payments within seven days while the full claim is assessed. Once accepted, the claim covers weekly payments based on your capacity and pre-injury earnings, along with reasonably necessary medical treatment. Your nominated treating doctor manages your care and updates certificates as recovery progresses, typically every 28 days. If a claim is disputed or delayed, free support is available through the Independent Review Office and SIRA, the NSW regulator.

The medical sections must be completed by your treating doctor — usually your nominated treating GP, though a hospital doctor often completes the first certificate if your injury was treated at an emergency department. The certificate records your diagnosis, treatment plan and, most importantly, your capacity for work: the hours you can manage, physical limits such as lifting restrictions and any duties to avoid.

There's also a worker's declaration section you complete and sign yourself, confirming details such as any other employment. Each certificate covers a set period — generally up to 28 days — after which a review appointment is needed to issue the next one. Letting a certificate lapse can interrupt weekly payments, so it pays to book each review before the current certificate runs out. Photocopies aren't accepted by insurers, and the certificate must reflect a genuine consultation, which is why regular reviews with the same doctor keep the process smooth.

Yes — in NSW you have the legal right to choose your own nominated treating doctor for a workers' compensation claim, and neither your employer nor the insurer can require you to use theirs for treatment. Many injured workers choose their regular GP, which carries practical advantages: a doctor who knows your history can separate the new injury from anything pre-existing, understands your work and life context and can watch for flow-on effects such as poor sleep or low mood during a long recovery.

The insurer may separately send you to an independent medical examiner for a one-off assessment of the claim, which is normal and doesn't change who treats you. You can also switch your nominated treating doctor mid-claim if circumstances require, such as moving towns — just notify the insurer so records and approvals continue without interruption.