Articles

19 September 2025

When WorkCover Queensland finds your injury is not work related

Tamyka Caputo

In Queensland, WorkCover provides workers’ compensation insurance to support employees who are injured in the course of their employment. However, not every injury is automatically accepted. Sometimes, WorkCover Queensland may determine that an injury is not related to employment, leading to the rejection of a compensation claim. This can be a distressing outcome for workers who believe their injury was caused or aggravated by their job. Understanding how these decisions are made—and what options exist if your claim is denied—is crucial. What Does “Work-Related Injury” Mean? Under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld), a work-related injury is one that arises out of, or in the course of, employment and for which employment is a significant contributing factor. This definition applies to physical injuries, psychological injuries, diseases, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Why WorkCover Might Deny a Claim WorkCover Queensland can reject a claim if it finds that: The Injury Did Not Occur at Work If the injury happened off-site and outside of work hours, WorkCover may determine it did not occur in the course of employment. Employment Was Not a Significant Contributing Factor Even if the injury happened at work, it must be significantly caused by the employment. For example, if a worker collapses from a pre-existing medical condition unrelated to their job, the claim may be rejected. Psychological Injury Not Caused by Work Psychological or psychiatric injuries are particularly scrutinised. WorkCover may deny claims if the injury arises from reasonable management action, such as performance reviews or disciplinary action, unless such actions were taken unreasonably. Lack of Medical Evidence If medical reports do not support a link between the employment and the injury, WorkCover may decide the injury is not work-related. What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied? If WorkCover decides that your injury is not related to employment, you have the right to dispute the decision. Step 1: Request a Review You can apply to the Workers' Compensation Regulator (part of the Office of Industrial Relations) for a review of WorkCover’s decision. This must be done within 3 months of receiving the decision. Step 2: Provide Supporting Evidence Include any additional medical reports, witness statements, or documentation that supports your position that the injury is work-related. Step 3: Further Appeal Options If the Regulator upholds the rejection, you may appeal the decision to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). Tips for Strengthening Your Claim Report the injury immediately and ensure it is recorded properly by your employer. Seek medical attention and ensure the doctor clearly documents the link between your job and the injury. Provide a clear timeline of how the injury occurred. If a psychological injury is involved, get a psychiatric assessment that addresses causation. Being told by WorkCover Queensland that your injury is not work-related can feel like a major setback—but it's not the end of the road. Understanding the reasoning behind such decisions and knowing your rights to review and appeal can help you take appropriate action. If your claim is denied, consider seeking advice from one of our expert lawyers.