Glossary
Graduated return to work
A staged increase in hours or duties that builds a worker back towards their pre-injury role as capacity improves.
Also called: graduated RTW · graded return to work · staged return to work
Definition
A graduated return to work is a staged approach where a worker restarts at reduced hours or on lighter suitable duties and increases over time as their capacity allows. In the NSW scheme the steps are set out in the return-to-work plan and paced against the treating doctor's certificate of capacity. Each stage has defined duties, hours and a review point. The aim is to keep the worker safely engaged at work while recovery continues, rather than waiting for full capacity before any return.
In practice
The graduated steps are written into the return-to-work plan and upgraded as the nominated treating doctor certifies more capacity. Nexus coordinates each upgrade, checking the suitable duties still fit and confirming the employer can accommodate the next stage. The pace and the medical clearance for each step come from the treating doctor, not from Nexus.