How Long Can You Be on WorkCover in Queensland?

If you suffer an injury while at work in Queensland, your employer's workers' compensation insurer, known as WorkCover, can pay you weekly benefits for up to 5 years. 

The majority of injured workers receive 85% of their normal pay for the first 26 weeks, then 75% from 26 weeks to 2 years. 

After 104 weeks, payments continue at 75% rate up to 5 years only if your DPI is 15% or higher; otherwise, they drop to the single Age Pension rate. 

Understanding WorkCover Weekly Payments

What WorkCover actually pays

WorkCover replaces your lost income while you recover from an injury suffered in the workplace. These weekly compensation payments are sometimes referred to as "weekly benefits" or "wage replacement".

The amount you are paid out is based on your Normal Weekly Earnings (NWE), which is the average amount you were paid before the injury. Your insurer will use your pay records to calculate how much this is.

Weekly payments are separate from other WorkCover entitlements, and the insurer will also cover reasonable medical and rehabilitation costs on top of this.

Who pays your weekly compensation?

The majority of Queensland employers are insured through WorkCover Queensland, the state's workers' compensation insurer. Your employer pays the premiums, while WorkCover manages claims and payments.

There are large employers that are approved to manage their own workers' compensation claims. These are called self-insured employers. If your employer is self-insured, the same rules and entitlements apply, but their own claims team will manage your file instead of WorkCover Queensland.

How long payments last

As per the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld), weekly payments stop once one of four things happen:

1. You recover from your injury and return to full duties
2. You receive a lump sum settlement
3. You have received payments for 5 years
4. The total payments reach the maximum amount ($422,292 for the 2025-26 financial year)

It’s rare for a worker to reach the 5-year limit. According to Safe Work Australia, the median time lost for serious workers' compensation claims across Australia is 7.4 weeks, although claims involving more than 13 weeks off work make up 74.8% of all compensation paid.

Your Rights and Entitlements

What you are entitled to:

• Weekly payments as a percentage of your pre-injury earnings (see payment tiers below)
• Reasonable medical and hospital expenses paid for by the insurer
• Rehabilitation costs, including physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy
• A return-to-work plan with suitable duties for your post-injury medical capacity
• Protection from dismissal for 12 months after your injury
• Permanent impairment compensation paid out in a lump sum if your injury causes lasting damage

What you should do:

• Report your injury to your employer at the earliest opportunity
• Lodge your claim within 6 months of the injury
• Attend all medical appointments and provide work capacity certificates from your treating doctor
• Fully comply with rehabilitation and return-to-work plans
• Attend any Independent Medical Examinations (IME) requested by the insurer because your benefits can be suspended if you do not attend without a reasonable excuse

Payment Milestones: What Happens at 26 Weeks, 104 Weeks, and 5 Years

Your WorkCover payments will change at three key points:

Stage 1: First 26 weeks (0 to 6 months)

You receive the greater of 85% of your NWE or 80% of QOTE (Queensland Ordinary Time Earnings). For the 2025-26 financial year, 80% of QOTE is $1,562.96 per week.

This is the highest payment tier, and it applies from the date your claim is accepted.

Stage 2: 26 weeks to 104 weeks (6 months to 2 years)

Your payment will drop to the greater of 75% of your NWE or 70% of QOTE. For 2025-26, 70% of QOTE is $1,367.59 per week.

Your insurer may request updated work capacity certificates during this period, and could ask you to attend an independent medical examination to assess your recovery progress.

Stage 3: After 104 weeks (2 years onwards)

This is where your Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI) becomes critical.

1. DPI of 15% or higher: you can continue receiving weekly payments at 75% of your NWE for up to the full 5-year maximum.
2. DPI below 15%: your weekly payments will be reduced down to the Single Age Pension rate after 104-weeks have passed.

Your DPI is assessed by a medical specialist using the Australian Medical Association’s guides. The insurer will arrange this assessment, although you are entitled to get your own medical evidence if you disagree with the result.

QOTE for 2025-26 is $1,953.70 per week, as published by WorkSafe Queensland.

Common Scenarios and Questions

What happens to my payments after 2 years?

This depends on the severity of your permanent injury. If your DPI is assessed at 15% or higher, your weekly payments will continue at 75% of your normal earnings until the 5-year limit. If your DPI is below 15%, payments will drop to the Age Pension rate. This catches many injured workers off guard, so stay alert.

Can WorkCover cut me off early?

Yes, but only for specific reasons. Your insurer has the ability to reduce or stop your payments if you recover and are cleared to return to full work duties, you refuse to attend an independent medical examination or you fail to cooperate with your rehabilitation plan. They cannot simply stop payments without good reason, so if your payments are stopped and you believe it is unfair, you can request a review through the Workers' Compensation Regulator.

Do I still get paid if I can do some work but not my full job?

Yes, you will receive partial payments in this case. If you are able to return to work on reduced hours or doing lighter duties, WorkCover will pay the difference between what you earn and what you would have earned in your normal role. Your treating doctor will decide your work capacity, and your employer must offer suitable duties in line with those restrictions.

What if my employer does not have suitable duties for me?

Your employer must explain why in writing. Under section 228 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act, your employer has to take every reasonable step to help with your rehabilitation. If they are unable to provide suitable duties, they must give the insurer a written explanation with supporting evidence. Your weekly payments will continue while this is resolved.

Can I be sacked while on WorkCover?

Not within the first 12 months. Section 232B of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld) makes it illegal for an employer to dismiss an injured worker within 12 months of them suffering a workplace injury, as long as the main reason is that the worker is no longer fit for their position. This protection ends after 12 months, but you may have other rights under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

What is the DPI election and why does it matter?

You may have to choose between a lump sum payment and making a separate legal claim. When your injury stabilises, the insurer will arrange a permanent impairment assessment. If your DPI is assessed at 20% or higher, you can accept the statutory lump sum payment and still pursue a common law claim through a solicitor. If your DPI is below 20%, you must choose one or the other. Getting legal advice before making this choice is essential.

Read more: What is the Difference Between a WorkCover Claim and a Common Law Claim

Red Flags and Warning Signs

Watch out for these common issues during your WorkCover claim:

• The insurer pressures you to return to work before your doctor has cleared you
• You are asked to attend an IME with a doctor chosen by the insurer, and their report contradicts your treating specialist
• Your employer offers you "suitable duties" that do not match the restrictions on your medical certificate
• The insurer stops or reduces your payments without a clear written explanation
• You are approaching the 104-week mark and have not been told about the DPI assessment process
• You are asked to sign documents or make choices about lump sums without being given time to seek legal advice

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Missing the 6-month deadline for lodgement of your initial claim
• Accepting a return-to-work plan that goes beyond what your doctor has approved
• Making the DPI choice (lump sum vs common law) without legal advice
• Assuming your payments will automatically continue after 104 weeks without a DPI assessment
• Not keeping copies of all medical certificates, correspondence and payment records

When to Get Legal Advice

It’s always a good idea to seek advice from a workers' compensation solicitor at the earliest opportunity, especially if:

• Your weekly payments have been reduced or stopped
• You are approaching the 104-week mark and do not fully understand the DPI process
• The insurer has arranged an IME and you are unsure of your rights
• You have been asked to make a choice about DPI (statutory lump sum vs common law)
• Your employer is pressuring you to return to work beyond your medical restrictions
• You have been dismissed or threatened with dismissal while on WorkCover
• Your claim has been rejected or the insurer denies liability

Why early advice matters

An injured worker without representation is negotiating alone against a well-resourced organisation that manages thousands of claims and has experienced legal and medical teams working for them. 

According to Queensland Law Society Proctor analysis of MAIC data, legally represented claimants receive significantly higher compensation than self-represented claimants.

This also applies to WorkCover claims. When a claimant has a solicitor, the insurer knows the matter can proceed to court if they do not negotiate fairly. Most claims settle before court, but the insurer faces little risk in offering less.

Key Takeaways

It's critical to remember these essential points:

• Weekly payments under WorkCover in Queensland can last up to 5 years. However, the rate and eligibility change at 26 weeks and 104 weeks.
• Your payment rate will drop after 26 weeks. You receive 85% of your normal earnings for the first 6 months, then 75% up until the 2-year mark.
• The 104-week mark is critical. If your permanent impairment is below 15%, your payments will drop to the Age Pension rate at this point. Get legal advice well before this date.
• You are protected from dismissal for 12 months. Your employer cannot sack you because of your injury within this period.
• Legal representation changes outcomes. Data shows that claimants with legal representation receive significantly higher compensation than those who handle their claims alone. A solicitor can advise on lump sum options and common law claims that sit alongside your WorkCover benefits.

Get Help Now

Smith's Lawyers has been helping injured Queenslanders with compensation claims since 1996.

If you have been injured at work in Queensland and need advice about your WorkCover payments, entitlements or what you should do next, talk to the team at Smith's Lawyers.

Call 1800 960 482 or use the form below to request a free case review under our No Win, No Fee, No Catch® promise.

A member of the team will review your situation, explain your options and let you know where you stand.