Recover at Work Assist for Small Business
This program helps small employers overcome financial hardship when providing suitable work to help their worker recover at work after a work-related injury or illness.
COVID-19 update: If a small business using the Recover at work assist program for a worker on a recovery at work plan scales back/closes due to the impact of COVID-19, the period of the program remaining can be resumed, once the period of changed business operations is over and the worker returns to work on their upgrading plan.
What do I need to do? Update the vocational program details form with the amended end dates when known and submit to the insurer.
How does it work?
The insurer provides your employer with an assistance payment of up to $400 per week for a combined total of up to six weeks.
This payment helps to offset the costs of making alternative arrangements to cover your usual duties while you participate in a recover at work plan and build capacity so you can return to your pre-injury duties and hours. For example, your employer might employ a casual staff member or offer overtime to existing staff.
Eligibility
You are eligible if you:
- are receiving weekly payments
- have current work capacity
- use the program within 26 weeks from the date the injury was entered into the insurer's system.
Small employers are eligible if they:
- employ up to 19 full-time (or equivalent) workers
- have a basic premium tariff of $30,000 or less
- hold a current workers compensation policy with an insurer in NSW
- can demonstrate that alternative arrangements have been made to carry out the worker’s pre-injury duties
- can demonstrate it is not reasonably practicable to offer suitable work
- can demonstrate that engaging additional assistance to enable the worker to recover at work will cause financial hardship to the business.
For more information read the Recover at Work Assist for Small Business guidance material, factsheet for employers, and insurers along with frequently asked questions about the program.
How to apply
Speak to the insurer about this program. They will advise whether you and your employer are eligible.
A workplace rehabilitation provider will conduct a workplace assessment and prepare a recovery at work plan in consultation with you, your employer and your doctor.
A member of your support team will:
- complete the vocational program details form
- confirm agreement from the insurer
- arrange payment for the assistance payment using the vocational claim for payment form
- complete the vocational program closure report.
If your request to use a SIRA-funded program has not been approved, find out how to request a review of a program decision.
Further information
- Recover at Work Assist for Small Business brochure
- Recover at Work Assist for Small Business - FAQs
- Recover at Work Assist for Small Business: Information for employers
- Recover at Work Assist for Small Business guidance material
- Recovery at work - It's just good business
- Vocational program: claim for payment form
- Vocational program: details form
- Vocational program: closure report form
- Workers compensation guide for employers
- Manage workplace safety