Government agencies & regulatorsFree Verified
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
Free, independent complaints service for disputes with super funds and insurers, including TPD and income protection.
Covers: National
What applies to me?
Your plain-English action plan
Step 1 · Your situation
Step 2 · Your state or scheme
Step 3 · Your next steps
My WorkCover payments have stopped.Queensland
In one sentence
Payments can stop for many reasons — some can be challenged, and there are often strict time limits to act.
Your next steps
- 1Find the insurer's letter and write down the review deadline.
- 2Ask your doctor for an updated certificate that reflects your real capacity.
- 3Contact a free legal service or regulator about whether the decision can be challenged.
- 4Call the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) if bills are building up.
- 5Contact Workers' Compensation Regulator (Office of Industrial Relations) (1300 362 128) for free information about how the QLD scheme applies to you.
- 6If you disagree with a decision — The Workers' Compensation Regulator conducts reviews of insurer decisions, with appeals to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
- 7Watch the time limits — Claims must generally be lodged within 6 months of the injury.
- 8Consider getting independent legal advice before signing anything or accepting a settlement.
How QLD works
- Weekly payments
- Generally a percentage of normal weekly earnings, stepping down at 26 weeks, for up to 5 years in total or until a benefit cap is reached.
- Medical expenses
- Reasonable medical treatment, hospital, rehabilitation and travel costs are generally covered while your claim is open.
- Permanent impairment
- If you have a permanent impairment, you receive a Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI) assessment and may be offered a statutory lump sum.
- Free legal help
- Unions, Legal Aid Queensland and community legal centres can help. The Regulator provides free information.
Questions you may have
Can the insurer just stop paying me?
Insurers usually have to follow notice rules and give reasons. If they did not, or you disagree with the reasons, you can generally ask for a review or lodge a dispute.
What is a step-down?
Many schemes reduce weekly payments after a set number of weeks (for example 13 or 26 weeks). This is a planned reduction, not a penalty, but it should still be calculated correctly.
Will my medical bills still be paid?
Often yes, for a period. Medical entitlements are usually separate from weekly payments. Ask your insurer in writing.
Support available to you
Community & free legal servicesFree Verified
Community Legal Centres Australia
Find a free community legal centre near you anywhere in Australia.
Covers: National
Government agencies & regulatorsFree Verified
Fair Work Ombudsman
Information about workplace rights, dismissal and pay. Fair Work Commission deals with unfair dismissal and bullying applications.
Covers: National
Financial counsellingFree Verified
National Debt Helpline
Free, confidential, independent financial counselling to help with debts, bills and hardship.
Covers: National
Government agencies & regulatorsFree Verified
Services Australia – Disability, Sickness and Carers
Centrelink line for the Disability Support Pension, sickness-related payments and carers.
Covers: National
Government agencies & regulatorsFree Verified
WorkSafe Queensland / Workers' Compensation Regulator
Information and independent reviews of insurer decisions in Queensland.
Covers: QLD
General information only. Rules change and depend on your circumstances. Check with your regulator or get independent legal, financial or medical advice about your situation.