Young Worker WorkCover Claims NSW
Workers under 25 are over-represented in NSW injury stats — partly because they don't know their rights yet. Call us and we'll make the claim process straightforward.
For: Workers under 25, first-job employees and school-based apprentices in NSW.
What the law actually says for young workers
The most important NSW legal and procedural truths for this group. Skim these — most employer myths fall apart once you know them.
NSW WorkCover covers workers from the first day of employment
NSW WorkCover covers workers from the first day of employment — there is no minimum age (subject to state child-employment laws), minimum tenure or minimum hours required.
Talk to our teamUnder-25 workers are injured more often partly due to inexperience with tools, equipment and workplace hazards
Under-25 workers are injured more often partly due to inexperience with tools, equipment and workplace hazards — the law recognises this and does not punish younger claimants.
Talk to our teamSchool-based apprentices and trainees have the same cover as adult apprentices while at the employer, at TAFE and travelling between them.
School-based apprentices and trainees have the same cover as adult apprentices while at the employer, at TAFE and travelling between them.
Talk to our teamParental consent is not required to lodge a claim
Parental consent is not required to lodge a claim — the worker is the claimant regardless of age.
Talk to our teamPart-time and casual hours still establish PIAWE
Part-time and casual hours still establish PIAWE — even a short weekly earnings history is enough for weekly payments.
Talk to our teamYoung workers have the same rights to free compensation-lawyer support as any other NSW worker
Young workers have the same rights to free compensation-lawyer support as any other NSW worker — covered by the insurer, not by the claimant.
Talk to our teamWhat the NSW and national data says
Source-cited statistics from ABS, SIRA, Safe Work Australia and icare — the context behind young workers claim frequency and outcomes.
Workers under 25 — share of serious claims
Workers aged 15–24 account for a disproportionate share of serious workplace injury claims nationally. Source: Safe Work Australia, Key Work Health and Safety Statistics 2024 (https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/).
Employed Australians aged 15–24
Around 2.1 million young Australians are employed — most in casual, part-time or apprenticeship roles. Source: ABS, Labour Force Australia (https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia).
Want the full picture? See WorkCover in numbers
The young workers pain points we hear most
If any of these match your situation, they're not unusual — and they don't kill the claim. They just need the right handling.
- Not knowing that workplace injury cover exists at all — especially on a first casual job.
- Employers minimising injuries ('shake it off', 'just a bruise') to avoid a claim record.
- Pressure from older coworkers who normalise working through pain.
- Reluctance to report for fear of losing shifts or being seen as 'soft'.
- Parents or employers trying to speak for the worker rather than letting the young worker run their own claim.
- Unsupervised work on dangerous equipment — a common pattern in injuries to under-25s.
What NSW WorkCover pays for a young worker
Once your claim is accepted (or under provisional liability), the insurer pays for every line below. You don't receive an invoice for any of it.
- Weekly payments based on your actual earnings, however short the job history
- GP, specialist, imaging, physio, psychology and surgical treatment
- Travel to and from approved medical appointments
- Return-to-work support including modified duties with the employer
- Lump-sum compensation for permanent impairment where thresholds met
- Free compensation lawyer support if the insurer or employer disputes the claim
- Psychological injury cover for workplace bullying, harassment or trauma
Not sure what your weekly payments would look like? Use the Payment Calculator.
How we help with young workers claims
One phone call is all it takes. We answer your questions, book the doctor, and line up physio, psychology, rehab or a lawyer when you need one.
Young workers get the same help as anyone else who calls us — no lectures, no paperwork burden you have to figure out alone. We book you in with a WorkCover doctor for your Certificate of Capacity and talk you through, in plain language, what the insurer will and won't cover. We help line up modified duties so you don't lose the job while you recover. If the employer pushes back or tries to suppress the claim, we put you in touch with a compensation lawyer — most disputes qualify for IRO funding.
WorkCover Doctors
Where most young workers start after the first call. We book it for you, in person or by telehealth.
Learn about workcover doctorsWorkCover Physiotherapy
Lined up when your situation needs it. We book it, and on an accepted claim the insurer pays.
Learn about workcover physiotherapyCompensation Lawyer
Lined up when your situation needs it. We book it, and on an accepted claim the insurer pays.
Learn about compensation lawyerNot sure if your situation qualifies? Take the 60-second eligibility check.
More NSW WorkCover reading for young workers
Workers Compensation NSW — the complete guide
The pillar article covering every part of the NSW scheme — weekly payments, permanent impairment, disputes.
Read moreContinueShould I claim WorkCover? 8 reasons people hesitate
The honest answers behind the common reasons workers hold off on lodging a claim.
Read moreContinueAm I eligible for WorkCover? 60-second quiz
Worker status, injury type and reporting window — checked in one pass.
Read moreContinueSituation-specific WorkCover scenarios
Aggravation of pre-existing conditions, fatality claims — edge cases we help with.
Read moreYoung Workers WorkCover — what workers ask
The same questions come up on almost every call. Here are the answers in short form.
Young Workers — start with one phone call.
One call gets you to a WorkCover doctor, who writes your Certificate of Capacity. We sort the insurer paperwork and line up physio, psychology or a lawyer as needed.
Speak to Our Team