Legal costs for lodging a workers compensation dispute

Legal support is available for injured workers who need help to make a claim or resolve a dispute about entitlements with their insurer.

If you need legal advice to make a claim or resolve a dispute about entitlements you can contact The Independent Review Office (IRO) or visit the IRO website.

IRO manages the Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service (ILARS) which can provide you with access to free advice from approved lawyers.

IRO can also help resolve complaints made about insurers.

IRO

IRO is an independent office established by the NSW Government to help injured workers and employers navigate through the Workers Compensation Scheme.

    Functions of IRO

  • Help for injured workers

    If you’re an injured worker with issues, enquiries or concerns about your claim with the insurer, IRO can contact the insurer on your behalf to find a solution. 

    Insurers have agreed to provide a response to IRO within two business days. Where more information is provided, it may take longer.

    In many cases IRO is able to negotiate a reasonable outcome for an injured worker, with more than 80 per cent of complaints resolved within 10 days.

    You don’t need to contact the insurer before seeking help from IRO.

  • Legal help

    If you’re seeking funding to make a claim or resolve a dispute about entitlements, contact IRO or one of the approved lawyers listed on the IRO website, and an application will be made by that lawyer.

    For more information on how to get legal help from IRO, visit the IRO website.

    If you’re seeking help with a work capacity decision merit review, these legal costs are met by your insurer.

    For more information on when legal costs are payable for merit reviews, visit the SIRA website.

  • Help for employers

    If you’re an employer having difficulty finding a solution to a claims management issue with your insurer, IRO can help.

    For more information on what IRO can help employers with, visit the IRO website.

  • General workers insurance help
    IRO provides education for everyone involved in the provision of any part of the NSW Workers Insurance Scheme, by providing speakers to any interested group and also by delivering seminars in CBD and regional areas.
  • Contact IRO

    There is no charge for the service.

    Contact IRO on 13 94 76 or email contact@iro.nsw.gov.au.