JobCover placement program - information for workers and employers

The program provides financial incentives to offset the cost of engaging a new worker, while at the same time giving the employer a motivated worker who can make a valuable contribution to the workplace.

Program benefits

To encourage employers to engage workers with a work related injury or illness, the JobCover placement program offers three benefits:

1. incentive payments for up to 12 months
2. an exemption of the injured worker’s wages from the employer’s workers compensation premium calculation for up to two years
3. protection against further costs associated with changes occurring to the worker’s existing injury for up to two years.

These benefits can be used individually, as a combination, or as a total package to meet the needs of the employer and worker.

The maximum incentive payments are:

• $400 per week for first 12 weeks (maximum of $4,800)
• $500 per week for next 14 weeks (maximum $7,000)
• $600 per week for next 26 weeks (maximum $15,600).

Eligibility

Worker

To undertake a JobCover placement program, the worker must have a work related injury or illness and at time of program commencement be paid, or be entitled to be paid, weekly payments under the Workers Compensation Act 1987.

Employer

To participate in the JobCover placement program, employers must meet the eligibility criteria, which include:

• being able to offer employment to a worker for a minimum of 12 months
• providing a minimum of 64 paid hours per month or a return to the worker’s pre-injury hours.

Employers must hold a current workers compensation policy or self-insurer’s licence, and adhere to the relevant workers compensation and workplace health and safety legislation in their jurisdiction. For more information, refer to the JobCover placement program guidance material.

Finding suitable employment

The program is designed to secure ongoing sustainable employment for a worker who has a work related injury or illness and is deemed eligible. A variety of employment arrangements are considered suitable.

In some circumstances a workplace assessment may be used to determine the suitability and safety of the employment placement. For some workers, specific equipment or workplace modifications, prerequisite knowledge, skills, licences or certifications may be required to achieve a safe and sustainable return to work.

See the ‘I'm a worker recovering at work’ section on our website for information on a range of programs that can assist a worker to recover at/return to work.

Next steps

Refer to the JobCover placement program guidance material on our website for more information about the program, its benefits, eligibility requirements and procedures.

Further information

If you have read the guidance material and would like to know more about the JobCover placement program, contact your insurer or call our Customer Service Centre on 13 10 50.

SIRA is the government organisation responsible for regulating the NSW workers compensation system. Learn more about SIRA and workers compensation at our website.