Return to Work Process for Employers (Online) November 2026

Ticket sales will close Wednesday, 11 November 2026 to allow time for course materials to be posted.

Time/Duration: One half-day: 10am - 1pm AEST

Please note: This online training will NOT be recorded.

Key learning outcomes

This course gives leaders the practical skills and legal awareness to manage return to work situations lawfully, confidently and compassionately. You will learn:

• Your legal responsibilities under workers’ compensation legislation

• How to manage and interpret medical certificates

• How to effectively participate in and support the claims process

• How to recognise, respond to and reduce psychological injury risks

• The correct steps, documentation and risk considerations for terminations and medical retirements

• How to avoid costly missteps that can lead to disputes, breaches or claims
  

Course overview

Managing the return to work process after an employee’s injury or illness is a legal obligation - but also a growing challenge.

This course gives WHS professionals, HR professionals and employers the practical tools to manage workers’ compensation claims and support a safe return to work while meeting legal requirements and minimising business risk.

Whether you're dealing with physical injuries, psychological claims, or managing suitable duties during recovery, this course gives you the tools to respond confidently and

compliantly.

Register now and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to manage return to work processes effectively, ensuring compliance and fostering a supportive workplace

environment.​

Enrolling three or more people? Invest in your team’s confidence and skills and enjoy a 10% team discount automatically applied at checkout.

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Schedule

9:45am - Virtual waiting room opens

10:00 am - Training commences

1:00 pm - Training concludes
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About the trainer

Kate Thomson

Associate Director

Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA)

Kate is a specialist employment and industrial relations lawyer and nationally accredited mediator who advises businesses across Australia on workplace relations, WHS, investigations, and dispute resolution. She represents employers in the Fair Work Commission and supports major clients with interest‑based enterprise bargaining.

Her experience includes:

• Representing employers in unfair dismissal and general protections matters

• Conducting and advising on WHS investigations

• Supporting enterprise bargaining from strategy to approval

• Drafting clear, plain‑English employment agreements

• Working with clients across government, utilities, mining, finance, education, and construction

She is also an active contributor to the legal community through speaking engagements, committee roles, and mentoring law students.

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FAQs

What's included in the price?

The course cost is $799pp inc GST.

Course training booklet will be delivered via post.  Please provide the address when booking, and please provide your home address if working from home and would like it sent there. No soft copies of the materials will be provided.

Who can attend?

This course is open to all organisations excluding other legal service providers or consultants deemed competitors.

Suited for: Return to Work Coordinators, Return to Work Specialists, WHS Managers, WHS Officers, WHS Advisors, Health and Safety Representatives, Health Safety and Wellbeing Co-ordinators, Senior HR executives, HR Managers, Business Owners, People and Culture Managers, Directors, HR Business partners and anyone responsible for managing employees.

This session is conducted subject to everyone agreeing to the Chatham House Rules which means that participants can use the information in practice in their business but should not identify any organisation, individual or information that can be used to identify them.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Contact Dominique Cho on 0482 162 218 or dominique.cho@ablawyers.com.au.

What's the refund policy?

Participants will receive a full refund if they cancel at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled event. However, if participants cancel less than seven (7) business days before the event, no refund will be made. The place can be transferred to another member of the paid organisation. No-shows or cancellations after 7 days will receive the course training material and supporting documents. If there are insufficient participants, we reserve the right to cancel the event and participants will be transferred to another module of equal value or receive a full refund at their election. We will give three business days’ notice of any such cancellation.

Privacy policy

To understand how we protect your privacy, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

This session is conducted subject to everyone agreeing to the Chatham House Rules which means that participants can use the information in practice in their business but should not identify any organisation, individual or information that can be used to identify them.