What is a nominated treating doctor?
SIRA describes the nominated treating doctor as the medical practitioner a worker nominates—normally their GP—to manage recovery from injury and assist with safe recovery at or return to work. The doctor recommends treatment, reviews progress and completes relevant medical certification.
See the WorkCover doctor pathway for Sydney and NSW
Choosing a doctor after a work injury
Ask whether the GP accepts workers compensation patients, agrees to act as the nominated treating doctor and can offer ongoing appointments. Consistency matters because the doctor needs to understand the injury, treatment response, work demands and changes in capacity over time.
What should I bring to the appointment?
- A description of how and when the work injury occurred
- Your actual job tasks, usual hours and physical or psychological demands
- Hospital, imaging, treatment and medication information
- Examples of activities you can complete safely and those causing difficulty
- Your employer, insurer, supervisor or return-to-work contact details if available
- Previous certificates and your claim number if already issued
The Certificate of Capacity
The Certificate of Capacity helps the worker, insurer and employer understand diagnosis, treatment and capacity. The doctor may identify capacity for pre-injury duties, some type of work or no current work capacity. Accurate information about real job demands helps the doctor provide useful restrictions and recommendations.
Read SIRA's official Certificate of Capacity guidance
Communication during recovery
With the worker's authority, the nominated treating doctor may communicate with the insurer, employer, treating health professionals and rehabilitation provider. Medical care remains the doctor's responsibility. Other members of the support team contribute information about treatment, function and appropriate recovery arrangements.
COH Rehab's limited WorkCover scope
COH Rehab does not provide general workers compensation workplace rehabilitation. Our defined WorkCover services include ADL assessments, OTT005 case coordination and guidance about the medical pathway. COH Rehab does not provide workers compensation vocational or work-focused functional/capacity assessments; ask your insurer about an appropriate SIRA-approved workplace rehabilitation provider. COH Rehab is not a medical clinic and does not issue Certificates of Capacity.
Compare the CTP and WorkCover doctor pathways
Frequently asked questions
What is a nominated treating doctor?
A nominated treating doctor is the medical practitioner a worker nominates—normally their GP—to manage recovery from a work injury and assist with safe recovery at or return to work.
Is a WorkCover doctor different from a nominated treating doctor?
WorkCover doctor is a common search phrase. In the NSW workers compensation system, the doctor managing the work injury is generally called the nominated treating doctor.
Can I choose my own doctor?
SIRA guidance says a worker can choose their own doctor to act as the nominated treating doctor, provided the doctor agrees to the role and is prepared to participate in the recovery process.
What document does the doctor complete?
The nominated treating doctor typically completes the first Certificate of Capacity, which records diagnosis, treatment and capacity for work and usual activities.