Being involved in a workplace accident can be painful and confusing, it can seem especially painful if you have suffered through no fault of your own. If you or someone close to you has been injured, it’s good to know where you stand.
WorkCover TAS Contact Details
There are a number of ways you can contact Workcover
Telephone
Within Tasmania: 1300 366 322
Outside Tasmania: (03) 6166 4600
Opening Hours:
Monday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED
Closed Public Holidays
Postal Address
If you need to contact WorkCover Tasmania by post, you can do so using the following address:
WorkSafe Tasmania
PO Box 56
Rosny Park TASMANIA 7018
For email enquiries: wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au
Online Services
If you need to notify WorkCover of an incident you can visit: https://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/safety/safety_subjects/subject/incident_notification
To make a work safety complaint you can visit: https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/forms-and-publications/contact-us-forms/online-feedback-form
What is wage replacement?
Wage replacement is a kind of insurance payment that is given to employees who are injured or hurt during their work or someone who has become unwell as a result of their work. Essentially, if you have injured yourself at work, your employer is obligated to pay you worker’s compensation payments. Each state and territory have their own laws and regulations in regard to this entitlement scheme. You could get hurt by:
- One incident- e.g. Hurting yourself from a fall
- Repetitive tasks- wrist injuries from repetitive movements
- Become unwell resulting from work
What about my pay?
Worker’s Compensation payments are paid for by your employer if you get hurt on the job whether or not you miss time from work. You may be eligible to receive benefits even if you are a temporary or part-time worker.
The amount paid to you on worker’s compensation will depend on the state or territory. The amount paid to you is an insurance payment and not a wage. Generally, you are paid:
- Directly from the insurer
- From the insurer through your employer or
- By the Worker’s Compensation Regulator.
Can I get fired?
It is illegal for your employer to terminate your employment because you have reported a workplace injury of lodging a worker’s compensation claim. It is not common for an employer to make the mistake of telling an employee that they are losing their job because of a worker’s compensation. Most employers realise that that would most likely lead to an employment discrimination claim.
After 12 months
If you have a physical impairment that I greater than 10%, or a permanent psychological impairment greater than 15% then you may qualify for a lump sum payout.
To be considered to have permanent impairment there are a number of different factors to consider. For example, incidents that lead to serious spinal cord injury, an amputation or permanently reduced mobility could be the defining factor in qualifying you for a lump sum entitlement.
What you should know
It is well-known that the WorkCover process is complex. You should always take care when lodging a WorkCover claim. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Report your injury. You should notify your on-site manager once injured. Also, remember to follow company protocol and start the WorkCover process as soon as you can.
- Do not quit your job. You should not take any actions until your claim is settled.
- Seek legal advice or legal representation.
Need more answers?
You can also use our site to answer any questions you may have regarding your workers compensation claim:
If you’ve suffered an injury at work, it’s best to seek legal advice to know your rights and find out where you stand.
