Hurt working from home? You’re not alone. Since remote work became more common across Australia since pandemic, workers’ compensation claims for home-based injuries have surged. B utnot every injury is automatically covered even if it happened during work hours.
One overlooked law could make or break your claim, and most employers won’t mention it unless you ask. If you’re clocking in from your lounge room or kitchen table, this article could save you thousands.
1. Yes, You Can Be Covered – But It’s Not Automatic
Under Australian law, employees are generally covered by workers’ compensation if they’re injured while performing work duties, even from home. But here’s where things get tricky: the burden of proof is often higher for remote workers.
You’ll need to show:
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The injury occurred in the course of employment
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It happened during work hours
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It was related to a work activity, not a personal one
Example: Slipping on your kitchen floor during a work call? Possibly covered. Twisting your ankle while making a smoothie on your break? Maybe not.
2. The Overlooked Law: Safe Work Environment Obligations
Under work health and safety (WHS) laws, employers have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment—even if you’re at home. That means they must:
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Assess potential risks in your home office
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Provide ergonomic advice and equipment if necessary
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Review and approve your remote work setup
What most employers won’t say: If they haven’t assessed your home work environment, they could still be liable if you’re injured, even if they try to argue otherwise.
3. Claims Are Rising – And Getting Challenged
Data from multiple states shows a sharp rise in home-based injury claims. But not all are accepted. Common reasons for rejection include:
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“Insufficient evidence” the injury was work-related
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Lack of proper reporting or documentation
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Disputes over whether the worker was on a break
Many claims hinge on minute-by-minute timelines of your day. A 5-minute break can mean the difference between a valid claim and a denied one.
4. Most Overlooked Injuries While Working From Home
You might think it has to be a dramatic fall—but many claims involve slow-developing or repetitive stress injuries. Common examples include:
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Neck and back strain from poor desk setups
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Wrist injuries from non-ergonomic keyboards
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Eye strain and headaches from improper lighting
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Slips and trips while rushing between meetings
If you’re hurt working from home, always document when, where, and how the injury occurred. Snap photos, write notes, and inform your employer immediately.
5. What to Do If You’re Injured While Working From Home
If you’ve been injured:
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Report it to your employer immediately – don’t delay
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Seek medical attention and get everything documented
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Ask for a copy of the incident report and your remote work agreement
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Lodge a workers’ compensation claim through your state’s WorkCover authority
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Contact a personal injury lawyer if your claim is denied or delayed
If you are working somewhere that isn’t your usual office you may be less inclined to think about workplace injuries, but if you are working from home you need to continue to look after your health and mitigate the risk of injury just as you would if you were at a regular workplace.
Read on to find out what some of the most common working from home injuries are.
Migraines
Some people are unlucky enough to understand how painful migraines can be. In particularly bad cases migraines can be debilitating and may cause nausea, dizziness, impaired vision and a lack of concentration in addition to the pain.
Migraines can be caused by many factors including stress and hormones, but in a work situation, they can be triggered by a workstation that has been set up poorly and is under bad lighting or causing the worker to sit awkwardly or in a way that causes tension.
If you are experiencing migraines that you believe are a direct result of your home workstation set up you should ask your employer to arrange an in-home assessment.
Psychological injuries
Injuries impacting a worker’s mental health should not be overlooked, particularly after a trying few years. Stressful or toxic working environments can lead to depression and anxiety but working from home can add elements of isolation and burnout due to a lack of social interaction and a lack of distinction between an employee’s work and personal life.
To mitigate this, workers should try to work in an area separate to where they sleep or relax and should log off completely at a nominated time of day. Taking scheduled lunch breaks can also break up the monotony, as can leaving the home to grab a coffee or some fresh air, even if only for 15 minutes.
Planned catch-ups with colleagues can be a great way to stay in touch and feel less lonely. If possible, arrange for a standing video call each week with your team or a friend from work to talk about something other than your jobs or what you are currently working on.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are often sustained in the workplace and can be particularly pertinent to working from home situations if the employee’s workspace is not set up correctly. It can take time for the symptoms of RSI to emerge, but the effects can be long, painful and deeply impact a person’s ability to work effectively.
If you are working from home it is crucial that your home set-up is compliant with WHS regulations and it may be necessary to have an in-home assessment to ensure your workspace will not lead to an injury of the hands, neck, back or shoulders.
Broken bones, cuts and contusions
Home working environments may seem cosier and more familiar than an office or other workplace, and it can be easy to assume you won’t be injured in your own environment, but with fewer people watching out for hazards and no dedicated WHS officer on duty the risk of trips and falls is higher than you may realise.
When working from home you must ensure your own workspace is hazard free. This extends beyond temporary physical obstacles that can be easily moved (such as delivery boxes) and include faults that you may be used to like loose floorboards, uneven steps or rugs that have curled back at the edges.
Extra equipment in the home means more cords, so you should be sure to tuck any chargers or extension cords away from the walkway around your workspace so you do not trip over them.
Am I entitled to compensation if I am injured whilst working from home?
If you are injured because of your work or otherwise during the course of your employment you may be entitled to compensation, even if you are working from home. This includes injuries sustained while taking a break or cooking your lunch, so long as you were not engaged in a particularly risky activity at the time of the injury.
If you have been injured because of, or during the course of, your employment while working from home and you need advice on claiming compensation our personal injury lawyers can assist.
Know Your Rights Before It’s Too Late
Being hurt working from home doesn’t disqualify you from compensation—but failing to act fast or not understanding the law could cost you. Employers often won’t volunteer this information, and the burden is on you to prove your case.
If in doubt, get legal advice. One quick consult could mean the difference between a denied claim and thousands in compensation for your injury, treatment, and time off work.