You've just lodged a WorkCover claim — what now?
For many people, a WorkCover claim is the first time they've dealt with workplace injury insurance. The paperwork, the language and the process can feel confusing, particularly when you're also managing pain or restrictions at work. This page walks through what physiotherapy under WorkCover looks like in practical terms.
Getting started — what's needed
To begin WorkCover-funded physiotherapy in Victoria, you generally need:
- A claim that has been accepted by the WorkCover insurer
- Your claim number
- The name of your insurer and case manager (your employer or GP can confirm this)
- An initial referral or recommendation from your treating GP
If your claim is still being processed, your clinic can usually still see you — payment arrangements vary, and the clinic will discuss this with you.
Initial physiotherapy assessment
Your first WorkCover session is an extended consultation. The physiotherapist takes a detailed history of the injury, examines the affected area, and identifies the gap between your current capacity and the demands of your role. From there, they propose a treatment plan and submit it to the insurer for approval (typically using the standard WorkSafe forms).
What treatment usually involves
Treatment is matched to the phase of injury:
- Acute phase: settling pain and inflammation, restoring basic mobility, education about the injury
- Subacute phase: rebuilding strength, endurance and function
- Return-to-work phase: task-specific loading, mock work scenarios, communication with employer about modified duties
Where clinically appropriate, hands-on techniques are combined with active rehabilitation. Outcomes vary between individuals.
How sessions are funded
For an accepted claim, the insurer pays the physiotherapy fee directly — there's no out-of-pocket cost for the patient in most cases. Treatment progresses in agreed blocks; the physiotherapist submits a plan, the insurer approves a block, and at the end of that period a progress review is submitted.
"Independent medical examinations"
Some WorkCover claims involve an independent medical examination at some point. This is part of the system, not something to be alarmed by. Your physiotherapist can explain how it fits in and what's typically asked.
Common questions
"What if I'm not getting better?" Recovery isn't always linear, but if progress isn't matching what was expected, the plan needs to be revisited. Your physiotherapist should be reassessing — and you can also speak to your GP and case manager.
"What if I want to change physiotherapist?" You can. WorkCover allows for choice of provider. Continuity of care matters for outcomes, but if a fit isn't right, changing is reasonable.
"What about return to work?" This is generally a graded process — modified duties, reduced hours, progressive increases. Your treating team (GP, physio, occasionally OT or exercise physiologist) and employer work on this together.
The bigger picture
Most WorkCover patients we see do best when they're an active participant in their care — turning up to sessions, doing home exercises, engaging with the modified-duties conversation rather than waiting passively. That's not about toughness; it's about how evidence-informed musculoskeletal rehabilitation works.
Booking and next steps
If you have an accepted WorkCover claim and need physiotherapy across Melton, Hoppers Crossing or Sunbury, the next step is usually a phone call. Have your claim number ready and we can talk through booking an initial appointment with a physiotherapist experienced in WorkCover rehabilitation.
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