SIRA - State Insurance Regulatory Authority of New South Wales

02/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/12/2026 17:18

Recovery at work insider - Have your say on Guidelines for workplace return to work programs

Recovery at work insider - Have your say on Guidelines for workplace return to work programs

10 February 2026

This month we are inviting you to provide feedback on the Draft Guidelines for workplace return to work programs (the Guidelines) via the Have Your Say website.

What is this about?

All employers in NSW are required to have a workplace return to work program to describe how they will support a worker to recover following a workplace injury.

SIRA has updated the Guidelines with the intent of making them easier for employers to understand their obligations and for workers to access information they need.

The main changes include:

  • removing obligations that aren't a requirement of the Guidelines
  • additional content to provide greater clarity about expectations of employers and
  • providing supporting information as a standalone document - 'How to comply with the Guidelines for workplace return to work programs'.

These changes are designed to reduce confusion and make it easier for employers to help people with an injury get back to work.

Why is this important?

The Guidelines specify the requirements for establishing and implementing a return to work program. Employers must comply with the Guidelines.

SIRA is consulting on the Guidelines and wants to make sure they are achieving their intended outcomes, particularly for those who will be establishing and implementing return to work programs across NSW.

From the evidence

The evidence confirms that good return to work systems produces better return to work outcomes.

Return to work is easier when people:

  • know what to expect
  • understand the process and their roles and responsibilities
  • and there is a coordinated approach 1,2.

What you can do

  • Review the Draft Guidelines and the supporting information 'How to comply with the Guidelines for workplace return to work programs' and
  • Provide feedback before 27 February 2026

Resources and tools

References

  1. Return to Work Matters. Workplace Systems to Improve RTW: A practical guide to implementing effective workplace systems. Return to Work Matters
  2. Collie, A., Lane, T., Di Donato, M. and Iles, R. August 2018. Barriers and enablers to RTW: literature review. Insurance Work and Health Group, Monash University: Melbourne, Australia

Updated 13 February 2026

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SIRA - State Insurance Regulatory Authority of New South Wales published this content on February 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 12, 2026 at 23:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]