This guide provides general education and does not diagnose a condition or replace individual medical or physiotherapy assessment.
What suitable duties mean
Suitable duties are tasks that fit the worker’s current capacity while considering medical limitations, skills and experience. They may involve changes to hours, loads, repetition, work area or specific tasks.
They are usually temporary and should be reviewed as function changes.
Why graded work can help
Work does not always need to be treated as an all-or-nothing step. Appropriate duties can maintain routine, confidence and work connection while physical capacity continues to improve.
The duties must remain within current restrictions and should not expose the worker to unreasonable risk.
How physiotherapy contributes
- Assessing movement and functional tolerance
- Identifying tasks that are currently difficult
- Building strength, endurance and task capacity
- Providing relevant progress information
- Recommending progression for discussion with the treating team
Who makes the decisions
The nominated treating doctor certifies work capacity. Employers, insurers, rehabilitation providers and the worker may contribute to the recover-at-work plan. Physiotherapy provides clinical and functional information but does not replace the doctor’s certification role.
Review and progression
A useful plan has clear duties, limits and review points. As capacity improves, hours, load, range, repetition or task complexity can be progressed towards the pre-injury role where appropriate.
Official links
Read the source for this topic.
Each link below opens the specific government or scheme page used for this guide.
Raby & Gledswood Hills