Concussion care: for insurers, case managers and employers
Reviewed November 2026 by Online Concussion Clinic, a Perth-based telehealth concussion physiotherapy service. How this site is run
For claims managers, workplace rehabilitation consultants, injury management staff and employers across WA. Concussion is one of the injuries where early, active management makes the biggest difference to time off work — and where poor management can turn a few weeks into months.
Why early concussion care matters
- Most people recover within about four weeks with the right early advice.
- Prolonged rest is no longer recommended. International consensus supports relative rest for the first 24–48 hours, then light activity and early, symptom-guided exercise, which speeds recovery.
- Persisting symptoms are treatable. Dizziness, neck pain and headache that last beyond about 10 days often respond to vestibular and neck rehabilitation — the earlier these are identified, the better.
- A graded return to work with modified duties is part of recovery, not a risk to it, as long as safety-critical tasks wait for medical clearance.
What good concussion care looks like
- Assessment soon after the injury, including red flags, symptoms, the neck and the vestibular system
- Clear education for the worker from the first appointment
- A symptom-guided exercise and graded return-to-work plan, with suitable duties
- Communication with the treating doctor, employer and claims manager, and treatment plans as the scheme requires
- Early referral when recovery isn’t on track — for example to a sport and exercise physician, neurologist or neuropsychologist
Finding a provider quickly
- WorkCover WA claims: providers who treat WorkCover claims
- ICWA motor injury claims: providers who treat ICWA claims
- Remote, FIFO or regional workers: providers offering telehealth
- By location: browse providers by area or use the map
Every verified listing has been checked on the Ahpra register, and the WorkCover and ICWA badges were confirmed by the directory in November 2026. Read how providers are verified and how this site is run.
Guides to share with workers
Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is:
- Loss of consciousness, or getting drowsier or harder to wake
- A seizure or convulsion
- Severe or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
- Increasing confusion, agitation, restlessness or unusual behaviour
- A visible deformity of the skull
For children, the emergency department at Perth Children's Hospital (Nedlands) is open 24 hours. If you're unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours) for nurse advice.
Where this information comes from
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport (Amsterdam 2022). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023. bjsm.bmj.com
- Australian Institute of Sport. Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement 2024. ausport.gov.au/concussion
- WorkCover WA. Information Sheet 14: Medical and health expenses compensation. workcover.wa.gov.au
- Insurance Commission of WA. Claims process. icwa.wa.gov.au
Clinical recommendations are from the international and Australian concussion guidelines. This page was checked in November 2026. It explains how the schemes work and is general information only — it isn't legal, insurance or medical advice.