Card 02 · Schemes by state
Workers compensation by state and territory
Your claim runs through the scheme of the state or territory you work in, and each one has its own authority, law and insurers. Australian Government employees, and staff of organisations that self-insure under the Commonwealth scheme, are covered by Comcare instead.
General information, not legal advice. If you work across a border, or aren’t sure which scheme covers you, ask the authority for the state you work in; each one is linked below.
The rack, state by state
The authority runs or oversees the scheme. The insurer, claims agent or self-insured employer is who actually manages your claim, and it is usually a different body. The last column is the first independent step if you disagree with a decision; several schemes also let you, or expect you to, ask the insurer to look again first.
| Where | Authority | Main law named | Who manages your claim | Independent first stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | SIRA regulates the scheme | Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 | Your employer’s claims service provider | Independent Review Office for complaints; Personal Injury Commission for disputes |
| VIC | WorkSafe Victoria manages the scheme | Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 | A WorkSafe agent, or a self-insurer | Workplace Injury Commission (conciliation) |
| QLD | WorkCover Queensland, the main insurer | Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 | WorkCover Queensland, or a self-insured employer | Review by the Office of Industrial Relations |
| WA | WorkCover WA oversees the scheme | Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 | Your employer’s insurer, or a self-insurer | WorkCover WA’s Conciliation Service |
| SA | ReturnToWorkSA manages the scheme | Return to Work Act 2014 | A claims agent, or a self-insured employer | South Australian Employment Tribunal |
| TAS | WorkSafe Tasmania administers the law | See WorkSafe Tasmania’s guide | Your employer and their insurer | Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal |
| ACT | WorkSafe ACT | Workers Compensation Act 1951 | A licensed private insurer, or a licensed self-insurer | Conciliation, which must come before arbitration |
| NT | NT WorkSafe | Return to Work Act 1986 | Your employer’s insurer, or a self-insurer | Mediation through NT WorkSafe |
| Cth | Comcare | Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 | Comcare, or the self-insured licensee | A review of the decision, and the Administrative Review Tribunal for an independent review |
How each step works in order: how to make a workers compensation claim. How each dispute route works: when a claim is disputed.
Where to start in each place
One starting page per scheme, with the details its own site gives for getting help.
New South Wales
icare’s page on notifying a workplace injury lists what you’ll need, from the date and description of the injury to your employer’s details. SIRA regulates workers and home building compensation insurance and CTP insurance. Parts of the scheme changed from 1 July 2026. SIRA’s pages note that their content may change as recent reforms are implemented.
Victoria
WorkSafe’s first-steps page covers reporting, the claim form and the decision. WorkSafe Advisory is on 1800 136 089, and its hours are 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Queensland
WorkCover Queensland’s how to make a claim page takes claims online, by phone on 1300 927 928, or on a paper form. Some larger employers are self-insured, and WorkCover doesn’t handle their claims. Reviews of insurer decisions sit with the Office of Industrial Relations, on 1300 362 128.
Western Australia
WorkCover WA’s making a claim page sets out the steps, and its Advice and Assistance Service is on 1300 794 744, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays. A volunteer is not a worker under the 2023 Act.
South Australia
ReturnToWorkSA’s make a claim page explains how your employer or you start a claim. ReturnToWorkSA is on 13 18 55, and its page explains how to reach it through a free interpreting service.
Tasmania
WorkSafe Tasmania’s five steps for workers run from reporting to lodging. Its page links to Worker Assist Tasmania, which it describes as free, independent and confidential advice for injured workers.
Australian Capital Territory
WorkSafe ACT’s making a claim page sets out four steps. ACT cover comes from licensed private insurers, so there are no prescribed fee schedules for medical providers.
Northern Territory
NT WorkSafe’s injuries and claims page explains the two-part claim form. Its workers’ rehabilitation and compensation section is on 1800 250 713.
Commonwealth employees
Comcare’s making a claim page covers employees of Australian Government departments and agencies, who submit their claim directly to Comcare, and of the ATO, Services Australia and self-insured licensees, who contact their employer about how to make a claim. You can call Comcare on 1300 366 979.
One national map, kept by Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia keeps the list of every state’s work health and safety regulator and workers’ compensation authority, with contact details. It develops national policy, but it isn’t a regulator and can’t advise you about your situation. It is a useful check when you are unsure which body is yours.
Safe Work Australia: workers’ compensation authorities contact information