--- title: As an employer, what are my legal obligations? description: Some non-negotiable obligations include having a workers comp policy and a return to work (RTW) program in place. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/as-an-employer-what-are-my-legal-obligations#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![AusRehab\_logo](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AusRehab_logo.png?width=150&height=45&name=AusRehab_logo.png) - [Home](https://www.ausrehab.com/) - [Services](https://www.ausrehab.com/our-services/) - [Contact Us](https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.ausrehab.com/) - [Services](https://www.ausrehab.com/our-services/) - [Contact Us](https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/) - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/) [Contact us](https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [AusRehab Help Desk](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Legal Rights & Obligations](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/legal-rights-obligations?hsLang=en) 3. [Employer Help Desk](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/legal-rights-obligations?hsLang=en#employer-help-desk) # As an employer, what are my legal obligations? ## Some non-negotiable obligations include having a workers comp policy and a return to work (RTW) program in place. Employers have several legal obligations under NSW workers compensation and workplace rehabilitation laws. These include: - [Having a workers compensation policy](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/as-an-employer-what-are-my-legal-obligations#workers-compensation-policy) - [Ensuring prompt injury notification](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/as-an-employer-what-are-my-legal-obligations#injury-reporting) - [Having a return to work (RTW) program](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/as-an-employer-what-are-my-legal-obligations#return-to-work-rtw-programs) - [Providing rehabilitation support in the workplace](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/as-an-employer-what-are-my-legal-obligations#rehabilitation-support) - [Maintaining an injury register](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/as-an-employer-what-are-my-legal-obligations#record-keeping) --- ### **Workers Compensation Policy** Employers must maintain a valid workers compensation policy that covers all employees. The policy must be current and renewed as needed. Letting your workers comp policy lapse can result in [serious legal and financial consequences](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/what-happens-if-i-let-my-workers-compensation-policy-lapse?hsLang=en). ### **Injury Reporting** Any workplace injury must be reported to your workers compensation insurer within 48 hours. Failing to report injuries on time can lead to penalties, delayed claims processing, and potential legal ramifications. ### **Return to Work (RTW) Programs** Employers are legally required to assist injured workers in returning to work as part of their recovery process. This includes providing suitable duties that match the worker's physical and mental capacity while they recover. Failure to offer these accommodations can result in penalties, increased insurance premiums, or legal action from injured workers. Read our blog article for tips on how to implement a successful RTW program: [Key Strategies for a Successful Return to Work Program](https://www.ausrehab.com/key-strategies-for-a-successful-return-to-work-program/). ### **Rehabilitation Support** Employers must actively engage in workplace rehabilitation by collaborating with rehabilitation professionals and insurers to develop and implement return to work (RTW) plans. These plans help injured workers recover and reintegrate into their roles. ### **Record Keeping** Employers must maintain detailed records of workplace injuries, claims, and actions taken to support injured workers. Inadequate record-keeping can lead to penalties, particularly during audits. - [Legal Rights & Obligations](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/legal-rights-obligations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Employer Help Desk](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/legal-rights-obligations?hsLang=en#employer-help-desk) - [Worker Eligibility & Coverage](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/legal-rights-obligations?hsLang=en#worker-eligibility-coverage) - [Worker Rights & Entitlements](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/legal-rights-obligations?hsLang=en#worker-rights-entitlements) - [Career Services](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/career-services?hsLang=en) - [Return to Work](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/return-to-work?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQs](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/return-to-work?hsLang=en#faqs) - [SIRA Programs](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/return-to-work?hsLang=en#sira-programs) - [Payments & Reimbursements](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/payments-reimbursements?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Reimbursements](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/payments-reimbursements?hsLang=en#reimbursements) - [Pre-injury Average Weekly Earnings (PIAWE)](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/payments-reimbursements?hsLang=en#pre-injury-average-weekly-earnings-piawe) - [Costs & Payments](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/payments-reimbursements?hsLang=en#costs-payments) - [Workers Compensation](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/workers-compensation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Claim Lodgement](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/workers-compensation?hsLang=en#claim-lodgement) - [Navigating the System](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/workers-compensation?hsLang=en#navigating-the-system) - [Eligibility & Coverage](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/workers-compensation?hsLang=en#eligibility-coverage) - [Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/workers-compensation?hsLang=en#key-work-health-and-safety-statistics-australia-2024) - [Pre-employment Screening](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/pre-employment-screening?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Booking Process](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/pre-employment-screening?hsLang=en#booking-process) - [FAQs](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/pre-employment-screening?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Technical Support](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/technical-support?hsLang=en#main-content) - [AusRehab Consent Form](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/technical-support?hsLang=en#ausrehab-consent-form) - [Workplace Rehabilitation](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/workplace-rehabilitation?hsLang=en) - [CTP (Compulsory Third Party Insurance)](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/ctp-compulsory-third-party-insurance?hsLang=en) - [Business Information](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/business-information?hsLang=en) - [ADL (Activities of Daily Living) Assessment](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/adl-activities-of-daily-living-assessment?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.ausrehab.com/hubfs/AusRehab%20Knowledge%20Base_Logo%20Colour.svg "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.ausrehab.com) Copyright © 2025, AusRehab