Return to work programs

A return to work (RTW) program is the formal policy that outlines general procedures for handling work related injury or illness. It represents an employer's commitment to the health, safety and recovery of workers following an incident. All employers in NSW are required by law to have one.

Your obligations

All employers in NSW must have a RTW program within 12 months of becoming a category 1 or category 2 employer.

Your RTW program must:

• be developed in consultation with your workers and any industrial union representing them
• be consistent with your insurer's injury management program
• comply with our Guidelines for workplace return to work programs
• be accessible and communicated to the workforce.

In the NSW workers compensation system, there are two categories of employers – Category 1 and Category 2. Each category has different obligations under the law. These are outlined below:

Category 1 employers

A category 1 employer is an employer:

• with a basic tariff premium over $50,000 a year, or
• who is self-insured, or
• insured by a specialised insurer and has over 20 employees.

For you, creating a RTW program involves four main activities:

1. Appoint a return to work coordinator
2. Develop a return to work program
3. Consult workers and unions
4. Implement the return to work program

This return to work program checklist will help you develop, implement and review your RTW program.

Category 2 employers

A category 2 employer is any employer who is not a category 1 employer as described above.

For you, creating a RTW program involves three main activities:

1. Appoint a person responsible for recovery at work
2. Develop a return to work program
3. Implement the return to work program

You can adopt or customise this standard RTW program template for Category 2 employers.

Guidelines for workplace return to work programs

SIRA developed the Guidelines for workplace return to work programs (guidelines) in line with legislation to support, inform and guide employers, workers and other stakeholders in developing a RTW program.

Support available

SIRA has a range of tools and programs to help you meet your workers compensation obligations and assist your workers to recover at work:

• Videos on how St Vincent's Hospital and Specialty Fashion Group implemented return to work programs and recovery at work plans. Videos highlighting workers' return to work journeys are also available on our You Tube channel
• Webinar on the Guidelines for workplace return to work programs
• I’m a worker recovering explains how to help your worker recover at work and the programs available
• Return to work programs: Information for employers explains employer obligations and resources available.