Injury management co-ordinators (IMCs)

An IMC must be assigned to a worker who has suffered a significant injury, meaning an injury that is likely to result in a total or partial incapacity for work of more than five working days.

Early assignment of an IMC helps ensure that injury management and return-to-work planning commence as soon as practicable.

An IMC ensures the injury management process runs smoothly. As far as reasonably practicable, an IMC must ensure that:

• contact is made with the worker, the employer, and the worker's primary treating medical practitioner as soon as practicable after the worker is assigned to the co-ordinator
• injury management plans and return-to-work plans are developed, reviewed, amended and implemented in agreement with the worker, or as determined by the Tribunal (Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
• the worker's capacity for work is reviewed regularly and opportunities for retraining or redeployment are investigated and arranged where appropriate
• appropriate rehabilitation arrangements are in place to support the worker's return to work as soon as possible and appropriate
• workplace rehabilitation providers are appointed where required
• the following parties are involved in managing the worker's injury and return to work:
  • ­ the worker
  • ­ the employer
  • ­ the employer's insurer
  • ­ the worker's primary treating medical practitioner and other treating medical practitioners

• where necessary or desirable, the following parties are involved in the worker's injury management
  • ­ workplace rehabilitation providers
  • ­ return-to-work co-ordinators
  • ­ supervisors and line managers
  • ­ allied health professionals
• relevant medical information is collected and available to support injury management
• appropriate records and documentation are maintained
• reasonable efforts are made to resolve injury management disputes, including through informal mediation where the co-ordinator considers it appropriate
• information about injury management is provided to both the worker and the employer

The role of the injury management co-ordinator is to oversee, facilitate and coordinate injury management activities. The co-ordinator may undertake these activities directly or ensure they are carried out by the appropriate person or service provider.

An insurer or employer is responsible for determining the number of IMCs required within their organisation.

When deciding how many IMCs are needed, consideration should be given to:

• the expected number of workers compensation claims
• the complexity of those claims
• the size and nature of the organisation.

The number of IMCs appointed should be sufficient to ensure workers receive appropriate injury management support and coordination.

Organisations may choose to engage an external provider to perform some or all of the functions of an IMC, particularly where they do not have the resources, expertise or capacity to manage more complex injury management cases.

Regardless of the outsourcing arrangement, accountability for injury management remains with the insurer or employer. External providers should be viewed as an extension of the organisation's injury management team and work collaboratively with all parties to support the worker's recovery and return to work.

A service agreement should be established to clearly define the services to be provided and the responsibilities of each party.

Full Outsourcing of the IMC Role

Where an external provider is appointed to perform the role of the IMC, the person appointed must have completed the approved training required for Injury Management Co-ordinators.

The external IMC assumes responsibility for carrying out the functions of the role on behalf of the organisation and should work closely with the employer, insurer and worker throughout the injury management process.

Partial Outsourcing of IMC Functions

An organisation may choose to retain an in-house IMC while outsourcing specific injury management functions to an external provider.

In these circumstances, the external provider is not required to complete the approved IMC training because responsibility for the injury management process remains with the in-house IMC.

The in-house IMC should:

• clearly communicate, verbally and in writing, the external provider's role and responsibilities
• ensure there is a shared understanding of how the parties will work together
• oversee and monitor the external provider's performance of the delegated functions

The in-house IMC remains responsible for ensuring injury management obligations are met and that injury management activities are appropriately coordinated.

To be appointed as an IMC, a person must complete the training approved by the WorkCover Board Tasmania.

From 1 September 2026, the approved training consists of:

1. Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management (FNS42120) or Diploma of Personal Injury and Disability Insurance Management (FNS51920) and
2. Injury Management Co-ordinator Training – Tasmania module.

Both requirements must be completed before a person can be appointed as an IMC.

Step 1 - Completing the approved qualification

You must complete either:

• Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management (FNS42120) or
• Diploma of Personal Injury and Disability Insurance Management (FNS51920).

These qualifications are delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) across Australia. A list of current training providers can be found on the YourCareer website.

Training providers can advise on:

• course delivery options, including online and face-to-face study
• course duration and study requirements
• recognition of prior learning, credit transfers and available exemptions.

When undertaking either qualification, participants are encouraged to select elective units relating to return to work and injury management where available.

The WorkCover Tasmania Board partners with the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF), a registered training organisation that delivers both approved qualifications. Further information about PIEF's training programs is available here.

Step 2 - Completing the Tasmanian module

The Injury Management Co-ordinator Training – Tasmania module is a free online learning resource developed by WorkSafe Tasmania in partnership with PIEF.

The self-paced module takes approximately two hours to complete and provides practical guidance on:

• the role and responsibilities of an IMC
• injury management within the Tasmanian workers compensation scheme
• legislative requirements and best practice approaches.

The module is available through the Learn@WorkSafe Tasmania Portal. Participants who successfully complete the final assessment will receive a certificate of completion.

Existing injury management co-ordinators

Individuals who met the WorkCover Tasmania Board's approved training requirements before 1 September 2026 remain eligible to perform the role of an IMC and are not required to complete the Tasmania module.

However, existing IMCs are encouraged to complete the module as a professional development opportunity and to refresh their knowledge of current legislative requirements and contemporary injury management practices.

Once you’ve successfully completed both components of the approved training, you can register with WorkCover Tasmania to be:

• kept up to date on matters affecting IMCs
• notified of upcoming forums and opportunities to meet other IMCs
• provided with new injury management information and tools.