Can’t work after a car accident in NSW? A work-task checklist
If you can’t work after a car accident in NSW, or your usual duties have become difficult, start by explaining the change to your treating doctor and compulsory third party (CTP) insurer. Preparing a short account of your working day can make those conversations more useful.
This checklist helps you describe the problem, ask about suitable next steps and understand where rehabilitation support may fit.
1. Describe the job behind your job title
“Driver”, “nurse” or “office worker” does not explain everything your work involves. Before your appointment, write down:
- Your usual hours, shifts and breaks
- The tasks you regularly do, including lifting, standing, sitting, driving or concentrating
- Which tasks have become difficult and what you have noticed
- Any difficulties getting to work or attending treatment
- Duties or hours your employer has suggested changing
Be specific about the activities affected. Include tasks you are still managing, as well as those you are struggling with. If you have not returned to work, say so; you do not need to try a task simply to complete this checklist.
A brief example to adapt:
“My usual job involves ___. Since the crash, I have difficulty with ___. My employer has suggested ___. I need advice about whether that would be suitable and when to review it.”
2. Ask your doctor about current capacity
Bring your notes, available hospital information and any proposed duties to the consultation. Ask what work activities and hours are appropriate now, what needs further assessment and when your capacity should be reviewed.
For a NSW motor accident claim, the first Certificate of Fitness must be completed by a registered medical practitioner during a consultation. It records the injury, planned treatment and effects on usual activities, including work. You are responsible for giving the insurer the initial certificate with your claim and keeping certificates up to date. SIRA explains these requirements.
Our Certificate of Fitness guide explains the appointment and paperwork in more detail.
3. Discuss practical options with your employer
Once you have treating advice, ask your employer what options are available within your assessed capacity. These might include different hours or modified duties. SIRA’s recovery-at-work guidance recommends discussing suitable work, barriers, the recovery plan and progress with your employer.
Write down the proposed tasks and hours so your treating team can consider the actual arrangement. Ask who will coordinate updates and when the arrangement will be reviewed. If the proposed work does not match the treating advice, raise that with your doctor and insurer before starting it.
4. Tell the insurer where planning has stalled
You might have medical advice but no suitable duties, several providers giving separate recommendations, or uncertainty about returning to your previous role. Explain the specific difficulty to your CTP insurer and ask whether a rehabilitation assessment would help. If you have lost income, ask about the income-support requirements for your claim.
SIRA says the insurer can arrange rehabilitation-provider assistance with recovery at work. Its motor-crash provider guidance requires insurer approval before rehabilitation services, including the initial assessment.
Ask what assessment is proposed, which questions it will address and whether the scope and costs are approved. Our CTP rehabilitation process guide explains those stages.
Discuss your next step with COH Rehab
COH Rehab provides CTP rehabilitation and assessment services for suitable NSW motor accident referrals. Depending on the approved scope, this may include coordinating recovery or a vocational assessment when work options need clarification.
Send a CTP enquiry with a brief description of the work difficulty and your insurer or claim details, if known. We can discuss suitability and the referral pathway. Funded services begin after the required referral and insurer approval.
This is general information, not individual medical or legal advice. Your treating practitioner assesses your medical capacity; the insurer decides claim entitlements and service funding.