Employment

Whether it’s a casual job at your local “would you like fries with that?”, you’ve started an apprenticeship, or you’re a bit further up the career ladder, there are legal requirements about the conditions your employer offers you. Here’s some info about what you are entitled to at work, and places you can ask for help if things aren’t going quite as smoothly as they should.

Workplace injury

Each employer has to have Workers Compensation insurance, which insures the employer against you getting hurt at work.

If you are injured while you are at work or suffer from a work related illness you may be covered by your employer’s workers compensation insurance.

Workers compensation provides financial assistance, payment of medical costs and rehabilitation assistance to the injured worker if their claim is accepted. Lump sum payments can also be made if the worker has suffered a permanent disability. The aim of workers compensation is for the worker to get better and return to work as soon as possible.

There are strict time limits that apply to workers compensation claims. If you suffer an injury at work or are injured because of your work, you need to notify your employer immediately, see your doctor for the purposes of obtaining a workers compensation medical certificate, complete a claim form and provide this to your employer.

Your employer should notify their insurer and lodge your claim form with them. Need more help? You should seek legal advice from Worker Assist regarding your claim, especially where it is disputed by the insurer.