When You Should Claim For A Travel-Related Work Injury
If you’ve been injured on your way to or from or while travelling for work, you may have more options than you realise. Journey claims exist specifically to cover these situations, and knowing whether you’re entitled to make one could make a significant difference to your recovery and your finances.
What is a journey claim?
A journey claim is a type of workers’ compensation claim that applies when you’re injured while travelling in connection with your work. This doesn’t just mean getting hurt on the way to the office.
Depending on your state, it can cover travel to training sessions, between worksites, to client meetings, to work-related events, and even to medical appointments connected to an existing workers’ compensation claim. The rules vary significantly across Australia, so where you live and work matters a great deal when it comes to what you’re entitled to.
How it works in different states
Queensland has one of the broadest approaches to journey claims in the country. Travel between home and work, whether by car, public transport, bike, or on foot, is generally covered. So is travel between different work locations, travel for employer-directed purposes like conferences or meetings, and travel for work-related training.
One important feature of Queensland’s system is that you may be able to lodge both a workers’ compensation journey claim and a Compulsory Third Party insurance claim if another driver caused the accident. This dual-claim option can significantly increase the compensation you receive.
In New South Wales, the rules are stricter. Since 2012, you have needed to establish a real and substantial connection between your injury and your employment. Simply commuting isn’t always enough. You’ll need to demonstrate that the journey was connected to your job in a meaningful way, and you’ll need solid documentation to back that up.
Victoria operates a dual system. Your regular commute is typically covered by the Transport Accident Commission rather than WorkCover. WorkCover covers work-directed travel, such as attending a client meeting, travelling between sites, or attending a work event. Understanding which scheme applies to your situation is important because the entitlements differ between the two.
Western Australia takes a more restrictive approach. Commuting to and from work is generally not covered, but travel that is a required part of your employment duties, such as business trips or travel between worksites during working hours, may still be claimable.
What you could receive
If your journey claim is successful, you may be entitled to weekly payments to replace lost income, coverage of medical and rehabilitation expenses, travel reimbursements for ongoing appointments, and potentially a lump sum if your injury results in permanent impairment. Mental health support can also be available through the insurer in some circumstances.
The exact entitlements depend on your state and the circumstances of your injury, which is why getting the right advice early is so important.
What to do if you’re injured
The steps you take immediately after an injury matter. Seek medical attention, even for injuries that seem minor, because symptoms can worsen over time, and early medical records are important evidence.
Report the accident to the relevant authority, whether that’s your employer, WorkCover, or the TAC, and document as much as you can, including photos, witness details, and a written account of what happened. Journey claims have strict time limits, and missing them can mean losing your right to compensation entirely. Acting quickly protects your options.
Hire a reputable lawyer
If you’ve been injured while travelling to, from, or for work, a work injury claim could be the right path forward for you. Smiths Lawyers works with injured Queenslanders across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and beyond on a No Win, No Fee, No Catch basis. Getting advice early costs you nothing and ensures you understand your rights before time limits start to close.
Final thoughts
Journey claims are more available than many people realise, but they’re also more complex than a standard workers’ compensation claim. Don’t assume you’re not covered just because the injury happened off the worksite. Get advice from someone who knows the rules in your state and can tell you exactly where you stand.
