As long as you are an Australian employee, any compensation that you seek due to injuries that you may acquire while on the job should be claimed through your employer's workers' compensation insurance policy. However, since workplace injuries are not commonplace, it is not surprising to find that a great number of employees do not know what to expect from filing this claim.

Generally, once you are injured and file a claim, the insurer will conduct an investigation to determine the legitimacy of your claim. After the investigation is concluded, the monetary figure of your compensation is calculated with the stipulated thresholds in mind. Nonetheless, while this seems like a straightforward process, there is always the chance that your claim can be denied. Moreover, you may also find yourself in a situation where you are eligible for using your employer through common law for a more substantial settlement. So what should all Australians know about workers' compensation?

Who is eligible for workers' compensation?

Generally speaking, workers' compensation covers anybody who is under formal employment and acquires a work-related illness or injury. A misconception that some people have is that this policy covers only full-time employees. The reality is that as long as you have been hired under any capacity, be it as a casual labourer or on a part-time contract, this scheme will recognise you. It is also worthy to note that workers' compensation can also be extended to individuals who are self-employed, interns and volunteers who may not be in formal employment.

Which costs does workers' compensation cover?

You may be under the impression that workers' compensation solely covers medical costs that arise due to the work-related injuries, but this is not entirely correct. Your workers' compensation claim can include a host of other expenses including physical rehabilitation, wages lost, travel costs if you had to visit numerous medical professionals, compensation for permanent disabilities and even death. Knowing what costs are eligible for your claim will help you ensure that it is as comprehensive as possible.

What steps should you follow once injured?

The first thing to do one you acquire a work-related injury is to report the condition to your employer as soon as possible. Once you have filed a report, it is critical to visit a medical practitioner so you can get an independent report about your injury. Lastly, seek counsel from workers' compensation lawyers so that you can better understand the claims process.