If you're a worker

1. Notify your employer

You must notify your employer that you've sustained a work related injury or illness. Give them:

• the date and time of the injury, or the period over which the injury emerged
• a description of how the injury happened
• a description of the injury.

2. Notify your employer's insurer as well if you wish

To learn more, please refer to the workers compensation guidelines or call the insurer in the first instance. If you are a worker and require further assistance you can call the Independent Review office (IRO) on 13 94 76. If you are an employer or other provider and require assistance call us on 13 10 50.

A quick guide to workers compensation - information for workers provides information about the workers compensation system and useful contacts.

Further information

Problems reporting a work related injury?

If you’re a worker and your employer has not notified SafeWork NSW or their insurer, or will not provide you with their workers compensation insurance policy number, you can call the IRO on 13 94 76 for assistance.

Time limits for claiming

A claim for workers compensation should be made within a maximum of six months of the date of injury (or in the case of a death - within six months of the date of death).

In some circumstances, this time limit may be exceeded. For example:

• a claim can be made up to three years after the accident in some situations (eg absence from the state or honest mistake)
• if a claim relates to an injury resulting in death or serious and permanent impairment, the claim may still be made after three years, if there is a reasonable cause for the delay
• if a period greater than three years has passed since the incident then a claim may still be made with SIRA approval.

There are special arrangements for cases where a worker is made aware they have received an injury a long time after the accident.

Contact the insurer for further advice or call IRO on 13 94 76 for more information.