What is Workers Compensation Physiotherapy?

Workers compensation physiotherapy refers to physiotherapy treatment provided to a person recovering from a work-related injury or illness, where treatment may be funded through an accepted claim.

Physiotherapy may be relevant when a workplace injury is affecting:

• walking or mobility

• lifting, bending or physical work tasks

• strength and endurance

• balance and confidence with movement

• pain-related movement and function

• return to work or normal daily activities

Treatment is always based on the person’s individual presentation, functional needs and referral pathway.

How Physiotherapy may help after a work injury

Depending on the person’s injury and recovery stage, physiotherapy may assist with:

Pain-related movement difficulties

Physiotherapy may help when pain is limiting movement, work duties or everyday activities.

Mobility and physical function

Support may be relevant where a person is having difficulty with walking, stairs, transfers, bending, reaching, lifting or general physical activity.

Strength and reconditioning

Physiotherapy may include graded rehabilitation aimed at rebuilding strength, endurance and confidence after injury or time away from work.

Balance and movement confidence

For some people, physiotherapy may assist where balance, coordination or movement confidence have been affected.

Return to work support

Physiotherapy may form part of a broader return-to-work process by helping a person improve physical function, activity tolerance and capacity for daily and work-related tasks.

Common injuries seen under Workers Compensation

Physiotherapy may be relevant for a wide range of work-related injuries, including:

back and neck pain

shoulder injuries

lifting and manual handling injuries

repetitive strain injuries

joint sprains and strains

muscle tears

post-surgical rehabilitation

fracture rehabilitation

work-related aggravation of musculoskeletal conditions

Not every workplace injury requires the same treatment. Care should always be individualised and based on clinical need.

How Physiotherapy may help

Physiotherapy focuses on movement, physical function and rehabilitation. Depending on the individual, physiotherapy may assist with:

• mobility and walking difficulties

• strength and physical conditioning

• balance and falls-related concerns

• pain-related movement limitations

• rehabilitation after injury, surgery or illness

• sports or activity-related injuries

• musculoskeletal concerns

• gross motor development

• physical function at home, work, school or in the community

Support is always tailored to the person’s goals, presentation and everyday needs.

Clinic-based Physiotherapy in Perth

Although this page is optimised for people searching for Physiotherapy in Perth, our main Physiotherapy clinic location is in Noranda and Malaga. Many clients from across Perth choose to attend our clinics for Physiotherapy because it offers a dedicated allied health environment with access to a broader therapy team and purpose-designed therapy spaces.

Clinic-based Physiotherapy may be a good option for clients who:

• prefer a structured therapy environment

• are able to travel to appointments

• a dedicated treatment environment

• access to rehabilitation equipment and therapy spaces

• regular face-to-face physiotherapy review

• benefit from regular review in clinic

• want access to a broader allied health service in one place
  
  

Mobile Physiotherapy across Perth

For some clients, mobile physiotherapy may also be available across Perth and nearby areas. Mobile physiotherapy can be especially useful when support is best delivered in the person’s own environment, including at home, in supported accommodation, or in the community.

Mobile physiotherapy may be especially helpful when:

• travelling to a clinic is difficult

• the person needs support in their usual environment

• home-based mobility or transfer assessment is needed

• therapy is more relevant in the person’s everyday setting

• family, carers or support workers would benefit from practical guidance at home

Service availability depends on therapist availability, travel area and the type of support required.

Workers Compensation claims in WA

In WA, a worker generally starts a workers compensation claim by giving their employer a completed Workers Compensation Claim Form together with a First Certificate of Capacity completed by their treating medical practitioner. WorkCover WA states that the First Certificate of Capacity records the worker’s description of injury, the medical assessment, capacity for work, and the injury management plan.

If a claim is accepted, the worker may be entitled to compensation for reasonable medical and allied health treatment expenses. WorkCover WA also publishes the maximum fees payable for allied health treatment under the WA scheme.

Important note

Funding and approval arrangements can vary depending on the claim. It is better to use wording like:

• treatment may be funded if the claim is accepted

• services are subject to claim acceptance and insurer requirements

• final funding decisions rest with the relevant insurer or claims manager

This is more accurate than saying treatment is automatically covered.

What to bring to your appointment

If your physiotherapy is being funded under workers compensation, it is often helpful to have:

• your claim details

• insurer or claims manager information

• referral information, if applicable

• any relevant medical certificates or documentation

Exact documentation requirements can vary depending on the claim pathway and insurer.

Looking for a Compo Physiotherapist in Perth?

Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health provides Physiotherapy services for clients across Perth, with appointments available at our Noranda and Malaga clinic with mobile services available in some cases where suitable.

Contact our team to discuss whether clinic-based or mobile Physiotherapy may be the best fit for your needs.

If you’ve had a work injury or been in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) and you're dealing with pain, stiffness, or trying to get back to your job — our Compo Physio team is here to help.

We know this process can be frustrating and full of red tape. We cut through the jargon and help you get the treatment, strength and support you need to feel better and get back on your feet — no judgment, no pressure.

We’ve helped hundreds of Perth workers recover after lifting injuries, falls, accidents, and high-impact trauma. Whether you're working FIFO, factory, construction, warehouse, transport, trades, or traffic control — we’ve got your back.

More than Physiotherapy

Although this page focuses on Workers Compensation Physiotherapy in Perth, Palms also offers other allied health services from our Malaga clinic.

Depending on the person’s needs, this may include:

Occupational Therapy

Physiotherapy

Exercise Physiology

Speech Pathology

This can be helpful for clients who need a more coordinated approach across mobility, physical function, communication, sensory needs or everyday participation.

Funding options

Depending on the service and individual circumstances, Physiotherapy may be accessed through:

private fee-paying services

private health insurance where applicable

Medicare for eligible clients with the appropriate referral

DVA for eligible clients

aged care pathways where appropriate

NDIS for self-managed and plan-managed participants

What We Treat

Our Workers Comp & MVA Physio team treats:

• Back pain, disc bulges & sciatica

• Shoulder, neck & whiplash injuries

• Knee and ankle injuries (including meniscus & ligament damage)

• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)

• Post-surgery rehab

• Chronic pain or delayed healing

• Muscle weakness & work-related fatigue

We also treat psychosocial pain and support those affected by trauma — especially after serious crashes or long-term work injuries.

Real Talk: What You Can Expect

We’re here to help you:

• Understand your injury — no fluff, no medical jargon

• Get on a proper treatment plan

• Work with your GP, rehab provider, or case manager

• Start the return-to-work process at your pace

• Build strength, reduce pain, and stay independent

We’ve seen it all — you’re not “too far gone” or “too complicated.” If you’re still hurting, it’s not too late to get help.

Workers' Comp Physio

Been hurt at work? Whether you're under WorkCover WA, an insurance agent (like GIO, Allianz, or CGU) or through a labour hire company, we’ve got the systems in place to treat you right.

We provide:

• Physio & Exercise Physiology treatment

• Worksite-functional assessments

• Return-to-work plans & gym programs

• Liaison with your GP, employer, or insurer

• Progress reports as required

No gap if approved — just bring your claim number.

Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Physio

Been in a crash? If it wasn’t your fault and you’ve lodged a claim with the Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA), your physio treatment may be fully covered.

We help with:

• Whiplash and spinal pain

• Soft tissue injuries and bruising

• Post-surgery or fracture rehab

• Neck, back and joint stiffness

• Headache and jaw pain after impact

We can even provide home visit or hydrotherapy options if needed.