Glossary
Certificate of Capacity
The document a treating doctor completes to record an injured worker's diagnosis, capacity for work and restrictions under the NSW workers compensation scheme.
Also called: Certificate of Fitness · WorkCover medical certificate
Definition
The Certificate of Capacity is the document a nominated treating doctor completes to record an injured worker's diagnosis, current capacity for work and any restrictions under the NSW workers compensation scheme. It supports the payment of weekly benefits and sets out what work the person can safely do while they recover. Certificates are issued for set periods and updated as capacity changes. Under CTP and motor accident claims, the equivalent document is a Certificate of Fitness. The certificate is the reference point for suitable duties and return-to-work planning.
In practice
In a live claim the certificate is what every party works from. The insurer uses it to continue payments, the employer to set duties, and the return-to-work plan to stay within safe limits. Nexus coordinates around it: we make sure the certified capacity is reflected in the suitable duties on offer, and we flag when a certificate is due to expire so the plan does not stall. We do not complete or interpret the medical certification; that stays with the treating doctor.