Absence from Work

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WORKERS COMPENSATION
Absences from Work/Lost Time

It is a requirement that all absences be accounted for by a leave form.  There is a specific type of leave form to be completed where the absence is related to a Workers Compensation related issue.  For those who have access to HROnline for processing leave entries, do not lodge any Workers Compensation related absence via this system. You should complete the following leave application, have both yourself and supervisor sign the form before forwarding to the Workers Compensation Officer for processing.

Any absence relating to your injury or illness must be substantiated by a valid WorkCover Medical Certificate.

The WorkCover Medical Certificate cannot be backdated.  For example, if you were unfit to work on Monday 1^st June and the WorkCover Medical Certificate stating you were unfit to work on that day was not issued until you saw your doctor on Wednesday 3^rd June this will constitute a backdated certificate and may not be accepted for the purposes of Workers Compensation benefits by our insurer.

Do not forward any workers compensation related leave applications to HR for processing.

Any injury or illness related absence where a workers compensation claim has been lodged will be processed against sick, annual leave credits or if all sick and annual leave credits have been exhausted, absences will be processed as leave without pay until liability has been determined by the University’s Workers Compensation insurer. 

If liability is accepted then any related absence that has been processed against sick, annual or leave without pay will be re-credited and reprocessed against workers compensation leave. 

If the insurer does not accept liability for the claim then all absences remain as previously processed. 

Leave Application

Click on this link to complete your application online. Once all the details have been completed click on the “Print” button at the bottom of the online form to print a copy that must be signed by both yourself and your supervisor before forwarding to the Workers Compensation Officer.  You must complete a leave application for any absence related to your claim.  If you are unsure on whether you should complete one of these leave applications or need help in completing a leave form, please contact the Workers Compensation Officer for assistance.

Absences can be for any of the following reasons:

• Totally unfit to work
• To attend medical treatment e.g. physiotherapy, xray or attend an insurer arranged medical assessment
• If you are working less than your normal hours on a return-to-work plan