Part 1: Injury Management Consultants in NSW Workers Compensation Claims — Understanding Their Role
Published on March 18, 2026 by Sabrina Morell and Scott Dougall
If you have made a workers compensation claim in New South Wales, you may be told to attend an appointment with an Injury Management Consultant (IMC).
For many injured workers, this request comes unexpectedly — and often without a clear explanation of why the referral has been made or what it means for their claim.
Understanding the role, powers and limits of an IMC is essential to protecting your rights and ensuring your recovery remains the focus of your claim.
At Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers, our compensation team regularly advises injured workers on IMC referrals, disputes with insurers, and what to expect before, during and after an IMC appointment.
In Part 2 of this series, we examine whether attendance at an IMC appointment is mandatory and whether benefits can lawfully be suspended.
What is an Injury Management Consultant (IMC)?
An IMC is a SIRA-approved registered medical practitioner experienced in occupational injury and workplace-based rehabilitation.
Their purpose is to:
- Work with the nominated treating doctor
- Engage with the worker
- Communicate with the insurer
- Liaise with the employer and other service providers
The goal is to progress a worker’s recovery and return to work, particularly if they have been identified at risk of delayed recovery.
When can a worker be referred to an IMC?
A referral to an IMC may occur when:
- A worker is identified as being at risk of delayed recovery
- There are concerns about return-to-work arrangements
- There is an injury management issue requiring resolution
- The worker, employer, nominated treating doctor, or insurer requests a referral
An IMC may conduct:
- A consultation with the worker (including examination if necessary), or
- A file review only, where examination is not considered necessary
What does an IMC do?
An IMC assesses the circumstances and discusses solutions with relevant parties. Their functions may include:
- Discussions with the Nominated Treating Doctor
The IMC must verbally discuss fitness for work with the nominated treating doctor. They may also discuss:
- Diagnosis and treatment (if required to overcome barriers to recovery)
- Suitable work options
- Prognosis and timeframes
- Agreement on a recover at work plan
- Discussions with the Worker
The IMC may discuss:
- The worker’s recovery
- Expectations about return to work
- Barriers delaying recovery
- Suitable work options
- The importance of safe and durable return to work
- Communication with the Employer
The IMC may:
- Confirm availability of suitable duties
- Review the workplace
- Assist in identifying practical return-to-work solutions
- Liaison with Other Providers
IMCs may speak with rehabilitation providers or other treatment providers to assist recovery planning.
- Involvement in Disputes
If a dispute is referred to the Personal Injury Commission, the Commission may request an IMC to conduct a workplace assessment.
The IMC Report
Following consultation or file review, the IMC must provide a report within 10 working days (unless otherwise agreed).
The report must be provided to the referrer, the nominated treating doctor, the insurer and the worker (unless release would pose a serious threat).
The report must include:
- Worker details
- Reason for referral
- Documents reviewed
- Details of consultation
- Discussions with treating doctor, employer and other parties
- Outcomes of discussions
- An action plan with timeframes
If agreement is not reached, the IMC may suggest alternative steps (such as referral for an independent medical examination or to a rehabilitation provider).
Conclusion
IMCs play a coordination and facilitation role within the workers compensation system. Their function is to address injury management issues and assist in progressing recovery and return to work — not to determine liability or control entitlement decisions.
Understanding how the IMC process operates allows injured workers to approach any referral with clarity and confidence. If you are unsure about the purpose of a referral or how it may affect your claim, obtaining early advice can help ensure your recovery remains the priority.
This article was published on 18 March, 2026 by Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers and is based on the relevant state of the law (legislation, regulations and case law) at that date for the jurisdiction in which it is published. Please note this article does not constitute legal advice. If you ever need legal advice or want to discuss a legal problem, please contact us to see if we can help. You can reach us on 1800 059 278 or via the Contact us page on our website. (www.codea.com.au). If you or a loved one has been injured, use our Personal injury Claim Check now.
Disclosure and important note: This article is based on our own legal research and thinking. Some of its content has been drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The authors have checked and approved this article, including the AI generated content, for publication.
