What this document or stage means
The plan should identify real actions, responsible people and review dates. A generic plan that says only “continue treatment and return to work” does not explain how the claim will be managed.
Who prepares or controls it
- The insurer is responsible for developing the plan for a worker with a significant injury.
- The insurer must consult the worker, employer and nominated treating doctor. A workplace rehabilitation provider or other practitioner may contribute where relevant.
- The worker should receive a copy and be told about rights, responsibilities and the review process.
Why it is part of the claim
- The insurer has identified the injury as significant, generally because the worker is likely to be incapacitated for work for more than seven continuous days.
- Treatment, recovery at work and communication need coordination across several participants.
- The worker’s condition, work capacity or recovery goals have changed and the existing plan needs review.
What to check
Injury and current needs
The plan should identify the accepted or claimed injury, current treatment and practical barriers. It should not silently narrow the accepted injury.
Recovery goals
Goals should be specific and clinically realistic, with interim steps where recovery will take time.
Actions and responsibilities
Each action should say who will do it and when, including approvals, appointments, workplace changes and communication.
Work planning
The plan should connect the Certificate of Capacity with suitable duties and employer arrangements without treating a proposed duty as medically approved.
Review and contact
Check the review date, insurer contact and how the worker can raise a disagreement or request a change.
Mistakes or gaps to look for
- The plan is issued without meaningful consultation or does not record the worker’s stated concern.
- A treatment or return-to-work goal conflicts with current medical restrictions.
- No person is responsible for obtaining an approval, report or workplace adjustment.
- The plan treats a disputed diagnosis or body part as though it has already been rejected.
- Review dates pass without an updated plan after capacity or treatment changes.
Evidence to keep
- The current Certificate of Capacity and treating recommendations.
- Treatment requests, approvals, appointment dates and reasons for delay.
- Job description, proposed suitable duties and any workplace assessment.
- Emails or meeting notes showing what the worker, employer and doctor said during consultation.
- Every version of the plan so changes and unresolved actions can be tracked.
What happens next
- Ask for a correction in writing if the plan misstates the injury, capacity, treatment or agreed action.
- Use the review meeting to record completed tasks, delays and the next decision needed.
- A failure to comply with Chapter 3 injury-management obligations may fall within a PIC workplace injury management dispute, depending on the issue.
Timing and deadlines
- SIRA Standard S12 requires the plan to be established within 20 working days after the insurer identifies that the worker is likely to have a significant injury.
- The plan should be reviewed at the agreed times and when the injury, treatment, capacity or work arrangement materially changes.
- A plan deadline does not replace a separate deadline for liability, weekly payments, treatment or a PIC dispute.
When legal advice may be useful
- Advice may be useful where the plan is being used to allege non-cooperation, justify unsuitable duties or avoid a required claim decision.
- A lawyer can distinguish a plan administration issue from a liability, treatment or work capacity dispute and identify the correct forum.
Illustrative example
Illustration: actions without an owner
A plan says the worker will return after a functional review, but it does not identify who will arrange the review or whether the insurer has approved it. The review date passes and the employer says the worker has not progressed.
- Ask the insurer to name the person responsible and the approval date.
- Record the worker’s attempts to arrange the review.
- Update the plan before any return-to-work conclusion is drawn.
Common questions
Is an injury management plan the same as a recovery-at-work plan?
No. The insurer’s injury management plan coordinates the broader claim and recovery. The employer’s recovery-at-work plan sets out actual duties, hours and workplace arrangements.
Do I have to agree with every statement in the plan?
No. Participate constructively, but identify an error or disagreement in writing and ask for it to be recorded and reviewed.
Can the plan change my medical restrictions?
No. It should work from current medical evidence. The treating practitioner remains responsible for the clinical opinion.
What if the insurer does not prepare a plan?
Ask the insurer in writing whether the injury has been identified as significant and when the plan will be established. Advice may be needed if the failure affects recovery or legal rights.
Need help checking a claim document?
Send the decision, report or plan with a short explanation of what has changed. We can assess the dispute and whether an ILARS funding application may be available, subject to eligibility, merits and IRO approval.
Related claim and dispute guides
- Recovery-at-work and suitable duties plans
- Certificate of Capacity
- Role of a workplace rehabilitation provider
- PIC workplace injury management disputes
- NSW workers compensation legal help
- Starting a workers compensation claim
- Reading a section 78 notice
- Personal Injury Commission disputes
- IRO and ILARS legal funding
- Request a claim review
Legal service provider
NSW workers compensation help from Stephen Young Lawyers
NSW Work Injury Claim is the workers compensation service of Stephen Young Lawyers. Stephen Young Lawyers provides the legal service. Stephen Young Lawyers.
Stephen Young Lawyers was established in 2012. The firm is led by Stephen Young, Principal Solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law.
Workers across New South Wales can arrange telephone or video appointments. In-person appointments can be arranged at the Sydney office when appropriate.
NSW Work Injury Claim enquiries: (02) 7233 3661
- Content publisher:
- NSW Work Injury Claim
- Published:
- Last legally reviewed:
Key legal sources
- Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW)
- SIRA workers compensation
- IRO legal assistance for injured workers
- Personal Injury Commission
- SIRA guidance on injury management plans
- SIRA Standard S12: Injury management plans
- Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, Chapter 3
- PIC procedural directions, including WC6
This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. You should obtain advice about your own circumstances.
Last legally reviewed: . This page provides general information about NSW workers compensation procedure. It is not legal advice, and the correct response may depend on the document, injury date and dispute.