At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we provide physiotherapy and allied health services in Perth for people recovering from a work-related injury or illness. We offer appointments in clinic and, where suitable, via mobile visits, with support tailored to the person’s injury, function, job demands and stage of recovery.

A workplace injury can affect many parts of daily life, including mobility, strength, pain-related movement, balance, endurance, independence, communication, swallowing, and return to usual routines. Our role is to provide practical, individualised allied health support focused on helping people recover function and participate as fully as possible at home, in the community and, where appropriate, at work.

Depending on your needs, services at Palms may include:

• Physiotherapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Exercise Physiology

• Speech Pathology
  
  

Support after a workplace injury in WA

In Western Australia, if a workers compensation claim is accepted, the injured worker may be entitled to compensation for reasonable medical and allied health treatment expenses, as well as reasonable workplace rehabilitation expenses and certain other benefits. The scheme is based on a no-fault principle, meaning a worker does not have to prove the employer was at fault in order to make a claim.

If you already have an accepted claim, we may be able to provide treatment as part of your recovery and rehabilitation. If you are unsure about the status of your claim, our team can discuss the referral and invoicing process with you.

How we may help after a work injury

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy may assist with:

• pain-related movement difficulties

• mobility and walking

• strength and physical function

• balance and confidence

• rehabilitation after fracture, soft tissue injury, surgery or hospitalisation

• graded return to activity

Treatment is tailored to the person’s presentation and may focus on restoring movement, rebuilding capacity and improving day-to-day function.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy may assist with:

• daily living tasks

• fatigue management

• home and workplace function

• upper limb function

• return to routine

• equipment recommendations where appropriate

• practical strategies to improve independence

For some people, OT may be especially helpful when the injury is affecting self-care, household tasks, work tasks or community access.

Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology may be helpful where a person needs:

• structured reconditioning

• strength and endurance support

• supervised exercise after injury or inactivity

• physical capacity building

• support returning to exercise safely

Exercise physiology may be especially relevant in later rehabilitation phases where graded exercise and rebuilding confidence are priorities.

Speech Pathology

Speech pathology may be relevant for some people after a workplace injury, particularly where there has been:

• brain injury

• concussion-related communication changes

• cognitive-communication difficulties

• voice changes

• swallowing or mealtime concerns

Support is based on the person’s individual needs and referral.

Common issues after a workplace injury

People recovering from a work-related injury may experience a wide range of functional difficulties depending on the type of injury and their job demands. These may include:

• neck or back pain

• reduced mobility

• weakness or deconditioning

• difficulty with lifting, carrying or physical tasks

• reduced confidence with movement

• difficulty returning to work duties

• challenges with self-care and home tasks

• cognitive or communication changes after head injury

• swallowing difficulties in more complex injury presentations

Not every person will need the same type of support. Therapy should always be based on the individual’s injuries, current function and goals.

Clinic and mobile rehabilitation options

In-clinic appointments

Clinic appointments may suit people who:

• prefer a dedicated therapy setting

• benefit from access to equipment and structured rehabilitation spaces

• want face-to-face support in a clinical environment
  
  

Mobile visits

Mobile visits may be appropriate for people who:

• have difficulty travelling

• need support in their home environment

• require assessment of function, safety or equipment in day-to-day settings

• benefit from therapy linked to real-world routines

The most appropriate format depends on the person’s injury, mobility, location, goals and service suitability.

A coordinated allied health approach

Some people recover well with one discipline. Others may benefit from a more coordinated team approach.

At Palms, our therapists can work together where appropriate to support goals such as:

• improving mobility

• returning to everyday routines

• rebuilding strength and endurance

• improving independence at home

• supporting communication or swallowing needs

• progressing rehabilitation over time

This can be helpful when recovery involves more than one area of function.

Claims, certificates and referrals

In WA, a worker generally makes 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 explains that the First Certificate of Capacity records the worker’s description of the injury, the medical assessment, capacity for work and the injury management plan.

If a claim is accepted, treatment and allied health expenses may be payable subject to the rules of the scheme and the relevant approvals. WorkCover WA also publishes maximum fees for health services under the Workers Compensation (Health Services) Fees Order 2025, which applies to compensable health expenses in WA.

Because approvals and claim arrangements can vary, it is best to use wording such as:

• treatment may be funded if approved

• services are subject to claim acceptance and insurer requirements

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

Avoid wording that implies automatic cover or guaranteed approval.

Return to work and workplace rehabilitation

For some workers, recovery also involves formal workplace rehabilitation support. WorkCover WA states that referrals to workplace rehabilitation providers can be made using a Workplace Rehabilitation Referral Form, or on the worker’s First or Progress Certificate of Capacity, and that the injured worker has the right to choose their workplace rehabilitation provider.

At Palms, allied health treatment can support goals that are often important in a return-to-work process, such as:

• improving physical capacity

• rebuilding confidence with movement

• improving function for daily and work-related tasks

• supporting safer participation in home and community routines
  
  

Our approach

At Palms, we focus on practical, goal-directed rehabilitation. That means treatment is built around what matters most to the individual, whether that is:

• walking more confidently

• returning to everyday tasks

• rebuilding strength after injury

• improving balance and mobility

• managing physical limitations more effectively

• getting back to work, home or community routines

We aim to make therapy relevant to real life and tailored to each stage of recovery.

Looking for allied health support after a work injury?

Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health provides physiotherapy and allied health services in Perth for people recovering after a workplace injury, with clinic and mobile options available where suitable.

Contact our team to discuss your referral, claim pathway and the most appropriate service for your needs.