In Queensland, you make a claim through WorkCover against the employer where the injury occurred. For self-insured employers, the only difference is that the claim is not made through WorkCover but through the organisation’s own insurers.
What this means:
- Weekly payments are based on your normal weekly earnings
- This figure can include earnings from all jobs, not just the one where you had the accident
The article will help you understand how WorkCover treats multiple jobs, your rights and obligations as a claimant, as well as common scenarios and frequently asked questions.
Understanding How WorkCover Treats Multiple Jobs
Queensland's workers' compensation scheme is designed to replace the income you lose while you recover. It acts as a safety net.
When you hold more than one job, the scheme looks at your whole working income taken together, not just the pay from the job where the injury happened.
Which employer do I claim against?
You claim against the employer whose work caused your injury.
If you slipped on the warehouse floor during a shift, you could claim against the warehouse employer, even if you also work weekends at a café.
That employer's insurer, usually WorkCover Queensland, manages the claim and pays your benefits.
Under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld), your employer must report the injury to WorkCover within 8 business days of becoming aware of it.
For a gradual injury, such as a back or shoulder condition that built up over time, working out the ‘liable’ employer can be trickier, but not impossible.
If similar duties across two jobs contributed to a gradual-onset injury, WorkCover assesses which employment was the substantial contributing factor. Medical evidence and the worker's duties in each role are used to determine which work caused the injury.
Are earnings from both jobs counted?
Yes, your weekly payments can include income from all of your jobs. Your payments are based on your normal weekly earnings (NWE), defined in section 106 of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld) as your normal earnings from employment, continuous or intermittent, over the 12 months before the injury.
Section 155 of the Act deals specifically with workers who have more than one employer. This section clarifies that those employed elsewhere won’t face barriers to having their total income recognised as part of the claim. According to WorkSafe Queensland, NWE can include penalty rates, allowances, and overtime, but does not include superannuation.
Your Entitlements and Obligations
Being injured at one of two jobs doesn’t necessarily reduce your core WorkCover entitlements. That said, claimants may face additional steps simply because more than one employer is involved.
What you may be entitled to:
- Weekly payments to cover lost income while you cannot work
- Payment of reasonable medical and rehabilitation costs
- Support to return to suitable work when you are able
According to WorkSafe Queensland, weekly payments reduce over time. For the first 26 weeks, you are generally paid the greater of 85% of your NWE or the amount you are entitled to under your industrial award.
Between 26 and 104 weeks, the payment is generally the greater of 75% of your NWE or 70% of Queensland ordinary time earnings (QOTE), a figure adjusted each 1 July. After 104 weeks, whether payments continue depends on your permanent impairment assessment.
You can read more in our guide to ‘What Payments Does WorkCover Queensland Cover?’
What you must do:
- Tell all of your employers about the injury, in writing, as early as possible
- Disclose every job on your claim form and to your treating doctor
- Provide payslips or wage records from each job for the 12 months before the injury
- Tell WorkCover, in writing, within 10 business days if you return to any work, even light or voluntary work (section 136)
Can You Keep Working Your Other Job While on WorkCover?
You may be able to keep working your other job, but only if a doctor clears you for those specific duties. This is one of the most common questions injured workers ask, and the honest answer depends on your medical certificate and being upfront with WorkCover.
Your treating doctor decides what work you can safely do. If your certificate says you cannot lift more than 5kg, and your other job is desk-based, that job may be fine. If both jobs involve the duties that caused or worsened your injury, continuing either could harm your recovery and your claim.
The most important thing is to follow your treating doctor’s advice.
How Working Affects Your Weekly Payment
Any income you earn while claiming reduces your weekly payment. WorkCover payments are meant to cover the income you have lost. If you are partially incapacitated and earning some money, WorkCover generally tops up the gap between what you’re earning currently and your normal weekly earnings, rather than paying the full amount.
This is why disclosure matters. If you earn money from your other job and do not tell WorkCover, you risk being overpaid and having to repay it, and you may put your claim at risk.
Reporting your earnings doesn’t entail a penalty. It keeps your claim clean and your payments correct.
For the general rules on this, see our guide on ‘Can I Still Work While On WorkCover?’
Common Scenarios and Questions
How do I manage the job I have where I didn’t get injured?
Your claim runs against the employer where the injury happened, but your other job still matters. The income from this role can be counted in your normal weekly earnings, and you must tell WorkCover about it. If your injury stops you from working the other job too, that lost income is part of what the claim is meant to address. Try to keep your other employers up to date with the process and be clear and frank about when you can potentially return to work.
Can I keep working my second job while I'm on WorkCover?
Only if your doctor certifies you are fit for those specific duties that role entails. Get the position and hours in writing from your treating doctor, then tell WorkCover before you start. Working outside what your certificate allows can slow your recovery and cause problems with your claim.
Do I have to tell WorkCover about my other job?
Yes. You must disclose every job you have when you lodge your claim, as well as tell your doctor about all your duties. If you return to any work, including your other job, you must notify WorkCover in writing within 10 business days.
Which employer's insurer handles my claim?
The insurer of the employer whose work caused your injury. For most Queensland workers, that is WorkCover Queensland. Some large employers are self-insured, but the rules that apply to your claim are the same. You can find a list of self-insured employers here or read more about it in our article on this topic.
When to get legal advice
Multiple-employer claims add moving parts, and a few situations are worth getting advice on early:
- WorkCover disputes which of your employers is liable, or which job caused a gradual injury
- Your normal weekly earnings (NWE) are calculated without your second job's income included
- Your weekly payments are reduced or stopped and you don’t understand why
- Your injury was caused by an employer's negligence
Your WorkCover claim is always the starting point. It is the no-fault scheme that pays wages and medical costs while you recover.
If your injury was caused by an employer's negligence, you may also be able to pursue a separate common law claim through a lawyer on top of your WorkCover claim, once your injury has stabilised.
Early advice matters. Insurers know that an unrepresented worker is unlikely to take a dispute to court. This often means the offer is less generous. With a solicitor involved, the insurer knows the matter can proceed if it is not handled fairly.
You can learn more about your options on our workplace injuries page and about going back to work safely in our guide to suitable duties in Queensland.
Key Takeaways
- You claim against the employer whose work caused the injury, and that employer's insurer manages the claim.
- Your weekly payments can include income from all your jobs, because normal weekly earnings look at your whole working income over the 12 months before the injury.
- You may be able to keep working your other job if a doctor certifies that the duties there won’t hamper your recovery.
- Any income you earn reduces your weekly payment, so it must be reported to WorkCover.
- Disclose every job and every return to work, in writing, within the required timeframes.
Get Help Now
If you have more than one job and have been injured at work, our team can explain how your earnings should be counted and what you are entitled to.
Contact Smith's Lawyers today:
- Call 1800 960 482 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your situation
- No upfront costs: We operate on a No Win, No Fee, No Catch® basis; you only pay if we secure compensation for you
- Or request a call back: Use the form below to have our experienced team get in touch at a time that’s convenient for you.
Our expert team of advisors will listen to what happened and talk you through your options at no cost.
