A work trial is a voluntary short term agreement aimed at helping injured workers maintain or regain employment as part of a worker's return to work strategy. There is strong evidence that return to work promotes recovery and reduces the risk of long-term disability and work loss.
A work trial places the injured worker with an employer for short periods when the pre-injury employer is unable to provide suitable duties.
The placement is to provide a suitable work environment to either increase the injured worker's (trainee's):
- capacity to return to their pre-injury job, or
- transferable skills to gain a different job with either the pre-injury employer or a new employer.
The work trial must be made with the agreement of:
- the work trial host (‘host’) who is not the pre-injury employer, and
- the work trial trainee (‘trainee’), and
- the workplace rehabilitation provider (‘provider’), and
- WorkCover NSW.
A trainee receives no payment from the host during the work trial. WorkCover pays for fares to and from the workplace and essential equipment to perform work trial duties. The trainee will receive their statutory workers compensation entitlement for the work trial period.
For the duration of the work trial, the trainee is not a ‘worker’ as defined by the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and can have no claim against the host’s workers compensation insurance. If the trainee sustains a new injury during the work trial period, WorkCover provides the trainee with the equivalent of statutory workers compensation insurance coverage in accordance with Workplace Injury Management and Worker’s Compensation Act 1998.
WorkCover may also reimburse additional expenses for other claims made on the host’s insurance policies, if the trainee is at fault such as:
- public liability
- professional indemnity
- motor vehicle accident.
Additional expenses are limited to the premium excess or increase directly resulting from the trainee’s actions.
Should any difficulties or injury occur during the work trial, contact:
- the workplace rehabilitation provider, or
- the insurers case manager, or
- Provider and Injury Management Services at WorkCover on 1800 801 905 or email to provider.services@workcover.nsw.gov.au.
Further information
The Work trial: information brochure outlines the benefits of the program for workers and host employers as well as the financial arrangements and responsibilities during the trial.
The Work trial guidelines for rehabilitation providers and insurers provides detailed information about worker eligibility, trial host suitability, submitting a proposal, claiming costs and other details.
The Work trial agreement outlines the responsibilities of all parties involved in the work trial and must be completed by all parties prior to approval of a work trial.
The Vocational program: details form is used to submit a proposal for endorsement of a vocational program and related expenses.
The Vocational program: extensions/amendment form is used to request an extension to a previously approved vocational program where there is an expectation of future employment and/or changes in the costs associated with the vocational program.
The Vocational program: closure report form is used to notify WorkCover of the outcome of the vocational program.
The Vocational program: claim for payment form is used to claim approved expenses relating to the vocational program.
The EFT payment advice details form allows for expenses and workers compensation payments to be made directly to a nominated account.
Call 13 10 50 for more information about work trials.