Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003

An insurer must pay the travelling expenses, that the insurer considers are necessary and reasonable, incurred by a worker for the injury for—

obtaining medical treatment; or

undertaking rehabilitation; or

attending a medical assessment tribunal; or

undertaking examination by a registered person; or

receiving services provided under part 5A or 5B.

An insurer must pay the cost of the worker’s transportation by ambulance vehicle provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service, irrespective of distance, if the transportation—

for transportation first provided immediately after the injury is sustained—is from the place where the injury is sustained to a place where appropriate medical treatment is available to seek the treatment; or

for transportation subsequently provided—is certified in writing by a doctor as necessary because of the worker’s physical condition resulting from the injury.

The insurer must also pay the cost of the worker’s transportation by ambulance vehicle not provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service, irrespective of distance, if the transportation—

for transportation first provided immediately after the injury is sustained—is from the place where the injury is sustained to a place where appropriate medical treatment is available to seek the treatment; or

for transportation subsequently provided—is certified in writing by a doctor as necessary because of the worker’s physical condition resulting from the injury.

The cost of transportation by ambulance vehicle that the insurer must pay is—

the cost the insurer accepts as reasonable, having regard to the relevant table of costs; or

if there is no relevant table of costs—the cost the insurer approves.

The insurer must also pay the cost of transportation by ambulance vehicle if the insurer gives written approval for the transportation.

Other than as provided by subsections (2), (3), (4), (5) and (7), the insurer is not liable for travelling expenses incurred by the worker—

in travelling a distance of less than 20km one way; or

if treatment or rehabilitation for the injury was reasonably available to the worker nearer than the place to which the worker has travelled to seek the treatment or rehabilitation.

The insurer must reimburse the worker for expenses if—

the worker is not entitled under subsection (6)(a) to be reimbursed by the insurer for travelling expenses; and

in a period of 7 consecutive days, the worker incurs travelling expenses in reasonably travelling at least 150km to and from a place to seek treatment or rehabilitation.