The WorkCover Certificate of Capacity is the legal proof required to claim weekly payments for a workplace injury in New South Wales. Without this specific document, the insurer cannot pay you. You must obtain it from a doctor immediately to avoid financial delays.
What is a Workcover Certificate of Capacity?
A WorkCover Certificate of Capacity (often called a workers compensation certificate) is a mandatory legal form that communicates your injury details to the insurer and your employer. It replaces the standard “medical certificate” or “sick note,” which are not valid for NSW workers compensation claims.
SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority) requires this document to ensure three things happen:
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Diagnosis: The insurer validates that your injury is work-related.
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Capacity: Your employer receives clear instructions on what you can do (e.g., “lift up to 5kg”) so they can provide suitable duties.
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Payment: You receive your weekly compensation payments.
What is Included in a Standard Workcover Certificate of Capacity?
The is detail certificate. Your Nominated Treating Doctor (NTD) must complete specific clinical sections to make the certificate valid.
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Medical Diagnosis: The doctor must specify the injury (e.g., “Lumbar strain”) rather than vague terms like “back pain.”
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Functional Capacity: A clear statement of whether you have “No current work capacity” or “Capacity for some type of work.”
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Management Plan: Referrals for treatment, such as physiotherapy, surgery, or psychology.
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Employment Declaration: You must sign a section declaring if you have worked elsewhere since the last certificate.
How to Get a WorkCover Certificate (The Process)
You cannot generate this document yourself. Follow these steps to get your certificate certified correctly:
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Book a “Long Consultation”: Tell your GP immediately that this is for a work injury. They need extra time to access the SIRA WorkCover certificate of capacity portal.
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Bring Employer Details: You must provide your employer’s legal business name and address. If you have a claim number, bring that too.
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Assessment & Digital Submission: The doctor assesses your functional capacity. Most NSW doctors now submit the certificate digitally to the insurer via medical software (like HealthLink).
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Request a Copy: Always ask the doctor to email you the sira certificate of capacity pdf for your own records.
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Send to Employer: You must email or hand the certificate to your employer within 24 hours.
For help getting your WorkCover Certificate of Capacity, please contact WorkCover Hills Doctor and book a WorkCover appointment.
Certificate Stages: First vs. Progress
The NSW system breaks certificates into stages. You must know which one you need to ensure continuous payment.
WorkCover First Certificate of Capacity This is the initial document issued when you first report the injury. By law, this certificate can cover a maximum of 14 days. You must book a review appointment before these 14 days end.
WorkCover Progress Certificate of Capacity Once your claim is active, your doctor issues “progress” certificates. These typically cover 28 days. If you have a long-term injury with stable symptoms, the insurer may approve certificates that last up to three months, but this is rare for new claims.
The “Final” Certificate There is no specific document named “Work Completion Certificate.” Instead, your doctor issues a standard certificate but marks you as “fit for pre-injury duties.” This signals to the insurer that you have recovered, and weekly payments will cease.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Insurers frequently reject claims due to simple administrative errors.
The “Online” Myth Many workers search for “how to get workcover certificate of capacity online.” You cannot fill this out yourself on a website. While you can download a work completion certificate sample or blank PDF to look at, a medical practitioner must log in to their clinical software to issue the valid legal document.
The “Suitable Duties” Confusion Do not confuse a Certificate of Capacity with a Certificate of Currency.
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Certificate of Capacity: Proves you are injured.
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Certificate of Currency: Proves a business has insurance. Is a certificate of Currency the same as workers’ compensation? No. You need the Capacity certificate. Your employer needs the Currency certificate.
Authority Note: SIRA guidelines are strict. If you leave your appointment with a standard “sick note” on a prescription pad, the insurer will reject it. Ensure your doctor uses the official SIRA format.
FAQ
What is a certificate of capacity for workers compensation?
A certificate of capacity for workers compensation is an official medical certificate that explains your work‑related injury or illness, your current ability to work, and the treatment you need to recover safely. Insurers use it to decide your entitlement to weekly payments and other workers compensation benefits, and employers use it to organise suitable duties.
Who can issue a WorkCover certificate of capacity?
A medical practitioner (doctor) must issue the first certificate. For subsequent (progress) certificates, a SIRA-approved physiotherapist or psychologist can issue them if the injury is within their scope of practice, but the Nominated Treating Doctor (NTD) remains the primary certifier.
Can you backdate a certificate of capacity?
No. SIRA guidelines prevent doctors from backdating certificates because they cannot clinically verify your condition for a past date. In rare “special circumstances” (like hospitalization), a doctor may justify backdating up to 90 days, but insurers often contest this. Always renew your certificate before it expires.
How do I get a WorkCover certificate of capacity online?
You cannot. A patient cannot generate this certificate online. You must visit a doctor who will access the digital form via their medical software and submit it to the insurer electronically.
