New employment assistance payments

This payment helps eligible workers with some of the costs that can be associated with returning to work.

Return to work assistance payments only apply to services provided and costs incurred on or after 29 April 2016. In addition, it does not apply to:

exempt categories of workers (police officers, paramedics or fire fighters)
coal miners
volunteers prescribed by the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987

What is it?

You can claim new employment assistance if you can’t return to work with your pre-injury employer because of your injury.

A cumulative total of up to $1,000 can be claimed for expenses involved in returning to work with a new employer, including:

You can access new employment assistance if:

you can’t return to work with your pre-injury employer because of your injury
you have accepted an offer of employment with a new employer (this must be made in writing) for three months or more
new employment assistance will help you to return to work.

Contact the insurer and provide:

your written offer of employment for a period of three months or more with a new employer
an explanation of how the item or service will help you to commence employment
the amount being claimed along with supporting quotes and invoices.

The insurer will:

If you do not meet the criteria for new employment assistance or need help with additional costs, you may be eligible for an alternative program.

To help understand your entitlements, head to the Have you been injured? webapp. This resource provides a breakdown of your entitlements.

If the insurer disputes liability for your claim, you can find more information on how to have the decision reviewed on your liability disputes page.