4.5.2 Aids and appliances
4.5.2.1 General guidelines | 4.5.2.2 WorkSafe can pay for | 4.5.2.3 WorkSafe will not pay for
WorkSafe can pay for the reasonable costs of aids, appliances and apparatus other than a medical, hospital or nursing service, requested by a registered medical practitioner, for a worker’s work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. injury and with prior approval by the Agent.
Items should not be purchased without prior approval by the Agent.
See: Cost of services
WorkSafe can pay for the reasonable costs of a medical and like expense where a worker is entitled to provisional payments on a claimed mental injury.
See: 6.5 Provisional payments for a mental injury
Equipment and related services
WorkSafe can pay the reasonable costs of equipment and related services for a worker:
- to assist in rehabilitation of a work-related injury or illness
- if a work-related injury or illness causes impaired function of activities of daily living.
See: Equipment & related services
4.5.2.1 General guidelines
Before aids and appliances can be approved, the following is required:
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there is a request, with supporting evidence from a registered medical practitioner, for the aid or appliance
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the request is reasonable and necessary
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where required, an independent assessment and equipment prescription form has been conducted and completed by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist Registered physiotherapist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the physiotherapy profession (other than as a student).
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the current age and condition of existing items has been established
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it is determined if the item is on the contracted equipment list or if the item is valued under $1,000 (excluding GST Goods and Services Tax) it is available from a Contracted Equipment Supplier
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the worker has successfully trialled the item with the prescribing health professional
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the cost of the equipment is reasonable, as indicated by at least two quotations.
Written prior approval from the Agent is required for aids and appliances.
Supporting information
The following information is required to assess a request from a medical practitioner, physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath:
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clinical justification in writing that the worker requires the aid and appliance for the rehabilitation of their work-related injury or illness
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for expensive items, an independent assessment and equipment prescription form has been conducted and completed by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist
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if the worker currently has the aid or appliance and is seeking a replacement, details of the age and condition of existing items needs to be provided
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the aid and appliance is for the injured worker only
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whether it will assist with self-management of injury and/or performance of activities of daily living
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confirmation the item is on the contracted equipment list or if the item is valued under $1,000 (excluding GST) is available from a Contracted Equipment Supplier
Prior to the purchase or delivery of an aid and/or appliance:
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the worker must be advised of any ongoing maintenance, replacement and repair costs that are their responsibility in line with the Equipment and Related Services Guidelines
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the Agent must formally approve the request
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the item should be sourced from a contracted provider (where possible). If a non-contracted item is recommended and approved, the Agent must send the equipment order form, equipment prescription form and supplier quote to the Worksafe Equipment Purchasing Team.
See: WorkSafe equipment list and contracted suppliers
Guarantees and warranties
Before approving any aid, appliance or service for a worker, the provider should state in writing on the quotation:
- if there is a guarantee or warranty for that aid, appliance or service
- the duration of the guarantee or warranty
- what parts of the aid, appliance or service are covered by the guarantee or warranty.
The Agent can then make a decision whether to accept one quotation over another, not just on the item and costs but also on the terms of the guarantee or warranty.
For aids, appliances or services previously approved by the Agent, it is recommended the Agent refer to the original quotation or purchase agreement to consider whether there is a guarantee or warranty that can be exercised in the repair or replacement of the aid, appliance or service.
Worker responsibility
The worker has a responsibility to provide reasonable quality and safe household equipment and items.
It is the worker's responsibility to replace household items that are old and worn out or unsafe. Linen, bedding and clothing items are also the worker’s responsibility.
Contribution by the worker
Workers are required to contribute a reasonable amount to the item cost if:
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the worker requests equipment that is more expensive than the suitable standard model. Generally the worker’s contribution would be any additional cost above the suitable standard model equipment cost.
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the equipment is only partially related to the worker’s work-related injury or illness.
Items valued at more than $1,000
An Agent should issue a letter to a worker (or their appointed trustee/guardian) that is provided with an item valued in excess of $1,000 (excluding GST), outlining liability and responsibility for the equipment in the following areas:
- general security, upkeep and insurance
- unauthorised modification or alteration.