Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT) and your WorkCover Claim: What to Expect

Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT) and your WorkCover Claim:

What to expect when attending the Medical Assessment Tribunal for a Psychiatric/Psychological Injury.

Near the end of your statutory claim with WorkCover Queensland, you may be asked to attend the Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT) so they can assess your psychological injury for a permanent impairment.

Usually, you will be referred to the MAT after an independent psychiatrist has stated that in their opinion, your injury is stable and stationary.

What is the Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT)?

The Medical Assessment Tribunal (MAT) is a branch of the Workers Compensation Regulator.

The function of the MAT is to provide independent expert medical opinion on work-related physical and psychological injuries and to assess your injury for a permanent impairment.

Where does the Medical Assessment Tribunal Hearing take place?

Usually, MAT Hearings are held in-person in Brisbane. However, sometimes, an MAT assessment can be held remotely via video conference.

Do I have to attend an MAT Hearing alone?

You are able to bring a support person to your MAT Hearing which can include a support person such as your partner, a family member or a friend. You can also have your lawyer or legal representative attend with you.

If you have a legal representative with you, they can make submissions on your behalf.

A ‘support person’ is not able to speak on your behalf.

How long does the MAT Hearing take?

Once your injury is deemed to be stable and stationary, WorkCover will refer your case to the MAT. It will typically take between 8 to 12 weeks from the time your case is referred to the MAT, for you to be given an appointment/hearing date.

In terms of the appointment/hearing itself, it will usually last around 1 to 1.5 hours.

What happens at the MAT Hearing?

Regardless of whether you attend the MAT Hearing in person or via video link, the MAT Hearing is conducted by a panel of three specialist doctors.

The panel doctors are provided with copies of any relevant medical records/reports before your appointment.

During the Hearing you will be asked a variety of questions on how your psychological symptoms are continuing to impact you and your day-to-day functioning.

Usually, the panel will focus on how you have been feeling and how you are functioning, in the period of time just before the Hearing. They usually (where possible) avoid talking about the work accident/incident.

You will usually receive the written MAT decision 1 – 2 weeks after the Hearing.

What if I disagree with their decision?

Decisions of the Medical Assessment Tribunal are final and there is no review process for these assessments.