Suitable Duties Programme

A suitable duties plan can be developed to formalise an injured worker’s safe and durable return to gainful employment following injury, through a supervised process at the workplace.  The Occupational Therapist will initially conduct a workplace assessment to individually tailor the suitable duties program to reflect the workers current injury restrictions, and then plan for appropriate work upgrades that will meet the needs of both the employer and the injured worker. 

Suitable duties form the basis for a work conditioning program, using the workplace as a means to progress the workers fitness and work endurance while their injuries heal.  Suitable duties (also known as light or alternative duties) are meaningful job tasks selected from the injured worker's usual job or another role.

A suitable duties program will highlight the following:

• Duties that are physically appropriate based on the workers condition or injury
• Weekly progression in hours and duties
• Specific restrictions that will be gradually upgraded week by week
• Additional weekly recommendations for injury management
• Signatures by all parties to acknowledge and implement the program (worker, employer, Occupational Therapist and GP).