As a national policy body, Safe Work Australia does not have a role in determining a worker’s coverage or eligibility for benefits in workers’ compensation schemes, or for managing workers’ compensation claims and return to work programs for injured workers. All workers’ compensation arrangements are the responsibility of the Commonwealth, and each state and territory (jurisdictions). 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, workers’ compensation authorities across the jurisdictions are providing additional information for workers, employers, medical and health practitioners and others. 

For general guidance relating to your jurisdiction or advice on your particular circumstances, please refer to the information provided by your workers’ compensation authority. Seek specific advice from that authority if further information is needed. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

Are my workers covered by workers’ compensation if they contract COVID-19? 

They may be.  

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker will need to: 

• be covered by your workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have contracted the COVID-19 virus out of or in the course of their employment. 

Compared to a work-related injury, it may be more difficult to establish a connection between a worker’s contraction of the COVID-19 virus and their employment.  

In some industries (e.g. health care), and in some circumstances (e.g. in the course of their employment a worker travelled to a high-risk area) this connection may be easier to establish.  

Your workers’ compensation authority will determine whether your worker is covered by their scheme and if the contraction of COVID-19 was adequately connected to their employment. They will consider each claim on its merits, with regard to the individual circumstances and evidence. 

Are my workers covered by workers’ compensation if they lose their job due to our workplace closing? 

Workers’ compensation does not compensate a worker for the loss of a job due to COVID-19 related workplace closures.  

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker will need to: 

• be covered by your workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have an injury or illness of a kind covered by the scheme (e.g. COVID-19), that arose out of or in the course of their employment. 

If your worker has an existing workers’ compensation claim and your workplace closes, you and your worker should refer to information provided by, and seek advice from, your workers’ compensation authority about your particular circumstances. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

Other financial support may be available to your workers who have lost their jobs. Refer to the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus and also go to Staying informed about COVID-19 for links to other sources of information such as Services Australia and the Australian Tax Office. 

Are my workers covered by workers’ compensation if they are injured while working from home? 

If your worker sustains an injury while working from home, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation. 

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker would need to: 

• be covered by the scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have an injury or illness of a kind covered by the scheme, that arose out of or in the course of their employment. 

Your workers’ compensation authority will determine whether the worker is covered by their scheme and their injury or illness was adequately connected to their employment. They will consider each claim on its merits, with regard to the individual circumstances and evidence. 

Will existing workers’ compensation claims and return to work arrangements change due to COVID-19? 

COVID-19 restrictions may impact various aspects of a worker’s recovery and return to work. 

Your workers’ compensation authority can provide information for employers and their workers who are currently receiving workers’ compensation regarding payments, treatment and return to work. 

You and your worker should refer to information provided by, and seek advice from, your workers’ compensation authority on your particular circumstances. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

What other support is available for me and my workers? 

Individuals and businesses may be eligible for financial support. Refer to the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus and also go to Staying informed about COVID-19 for links to other sources of information such as Department of Health, Services Australia, the Australian Tax Office, and Business.gov.au. 

As a national policy body, Safe Work Australia does not have a role in determining a worker’s coverage or eligibility for benefits in workers’ compensation schemes, or for managing workers’ compensation claims and return to work programs for injured workers. All workers’ compensation arrangements are the responsibility of the Commonwealth, and each state and territory (jurisdictions). 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, workers’ compensation authorities across the jurisdictions are providing additional information for workers, employers, medical and health practitioners and others. 

For general guidance relating to your jurisdiction or advice on your particular circumstances, please refer to the information provided by your workers’ compensation authority. Seek specific advice from that authority if further information is needed. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

Are my workers covered by workers’ compensation if they contract COVID-19? 

They may be.  

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker will need to: 

• be covered by your workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have contracted the COVID-19 virus out of or in the course of their employment. 

Compared to a work-related injury, it may be more difficult to establish a connection between a worker’s contraction of the COVID-19 virus and their employment.  

In some industries (e.g. health care), and in some circumstances (e.g. in the course of their employment a worker travelled to a high-risk area) this connection may be easier to establish.  

Your workers’ compensation authority will determine whether the worker is covered by their scheme and if the contraction of COVID-19 was adequately connected to their employment. They will consider each claim on its merits, with regard to the individual circumstances and evidence. 

Are my workers covered by workers’ compensation if they lose their job due to our workplace closing? 

Workers’ compensation does not compensate a worker for the loss of a job due to COVID-19 related workplace closures.  

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker will need to: 

• be covered by your workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have an injury or illness of a kind covered by the scheme, that arose out of or in the course of their employment. 

If your worker has an existing workers’ compensation claim and your workplace closes, you and your worker should refer to information provided by, and seek advice from, your workers’ compensation authority about your particular circumstances. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

Other financial support may be available to your workers who have lost their job. Refer to the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus and also go to Staying informed about COVID-19 for links to other sources of information such as Services Australia and the Australian Tax Office. 

Are my workers covered by workers’ compensation if they are injured while working from home? 

If your worker sustains an injury while working from home, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation. 

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker would need to: 

• be covered by the scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have an injury or illness of a kind covered by the scheme, that arose out of or in the course of their employment. 

Your workers’ compensation authority will determine whether the worker is covered by their scheme and their injury or illness was adequately connected to their employment. They will consider each claim on its merits, with regard to the individual circumstances and evidence. 

Will existing workers’ compensation claims and return to work arrangements change due to COVID-19? 

COVID-19 restrictions may impact various aspects of a worker’s recovery and return to work. 

Your workers’ compensation authority can provide information for employers and their workers who are currently receiving workers’ compensation regarding payments, treatment and return to work. 

You and your worker should refer to information provided by, and seek advice from, your workers’ compensation authority on your particular circumstances. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

What other support is available for me and my workers? 

Individuals and businesses may be eligible for financial support. Refer to the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus and also go to Staying informed about COVID-19 for links to other sources of information such as Department of Health, Services Australia, the Australian Tax Office, and Business.gov.au. 

As a national policy body, Safe Work Australia does not have a role in determining a worker’s coverage or eligibility for benefits in workers’ compensation schemes, or for managing workers’ compensation claims and return to work programs for injured workers. All workers’ compensation arrangements are the responsibility of the Commonwealth, and each state and territory (jurisdictions). 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, workers’ compensation authorities across the jurisdictions are providing additional information for workers, employers, medical and health practitioners and others. 

For general guidance relating to your jurisdiction or advice on your particular circumstances, please refer to the information provided by your workers’ compensation authority. Seek specific advice from that authority if further information is needed. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

Am I covered by workers’ compensation if I get COVID-19? 

You may be. 

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker will need to: 

• be covered by their workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have contracted the COVID-19 virus out of or in the course of their employment. 

It may be difficult to establish the time and place of your contraction of COVID-19 and therefore its connection to your employment.  

In some industries (e.g. health care), and in some circumstances (e.g. in the course of your employment you travelled to a high-risk area) it will be easier to establish a connection between your employment and the contraction of COVID-19.  

Your workers’ compensation authority will determine whether you are covered by their scheme and if the contraction of COVID-19 was adequately connected to their employment. They will consider each claim on its merits, with regard to the individual circumstances and evidence. 

Am I covered by workers’ compensation if I am injured while working from home? 

If you sustain an injury while working from home, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. 

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker would need to: 

• be covered by their workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have an injury or illness of a kind covered by the scheme, that arose out of or in the course of their employment. 

Your workers’ compensation authority will determine whether you are covered by their scheme and your injury or illness was adequately connected to your employment. They will consider each claim on its merits, with regard to the individual circumstances and evidence. 

Am I covered by workers’ compensation if I lose my job due to my workplace closing? 

Workers’ compensation does not compensate a worker for the loss of a job due to COVID-19 related workplace closures.  

Workers’ compensation arrangements differ across jurisdictions, however generally to be eligible for compensation a worker will need to: 

• be covered by their workers’ compensation scheme, either as an employee or a deemed worker, 
• have an injury or illness of a kind covered by the scheme, that arose out of or in the course of their employment. 

If you have an existing workers’ compensation claim and your workplace closes, you and your employer should refer to information provided by, and seek advice from, your workers’ compensation authority about your particular circumstances. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

Other financial support may be available to you if you have lost your job. Refer to the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus and also go to Staying informed about COVID-19 for links to other sources of information such as Services Australia and the Australian Tax Office. 

Will my existing workers’ compensation claim and return to work arrangements change due to COVID-19? 

It is possible that COVID-19 restrictions may impact aspects of your recovery and return to work.  

You and your employer should refer to information provided by, and seek advice from, your workers’ compensation authority on your particular circumstances. See workers’ compensation authorities for details.

What other support is available for me? 

Individuals may be eligible for financial support. Refer to the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus and also go to Staying informed about COVID-19 for links to other sources of information such as Department of Health, Services Australia, and the Australian Tax Office.