Behind the Claims Podcast

AusRehab

Behind the Claims Podcast brings you real stories and straight answers on workplace injuries, breaking down the workers compensation system. For everyone who's been injured at work, employers, healthcare workers, and support people who want to help. Listen in, learn more, stay ahead! Website: www.ausrehab.com Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Instagram: @ausrehab

Episodes

  1. Jun 23

    Ep 12 Why Successful Business Owners Never Really Retire | Purpose, Growth & Business Success

    "They're not in it to make money. They're in it because they have a vision…and the money follows it.” Most people think successful business owners keep going because they want more money. They don't. They keep going because stopping would break them. In this episode of Behind the Claim, Adam Hall sits down for an honest conversation about what actually drives people who could retire tomorrow but choose not to. He talks about purpose, identity, leadership, business growth, and what happens to a person when the thing they've built suddenly isn't theirs anymore. But it doesn't stop at mindset. Adam gets into the nitty gritty of running a successful trades business at a large scale. Things like margin leaks, business profitability, and job cost tracking, which is money quietly walking out the back door because your project costs aren't being tracked properly. He walks through a real example where a $6 million business was losing $540,000 a year due to a gap between their accounting software and their project management software. Adam also gets into why business leadership, business systems, financial reporting, and business knowledge transfer across any industry. It's not about knowing the trade. It's about knowing how business works. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, trades business owner, or business leader, this episode provides practical insights into business growth, profitability, leadership, and scaling a business successfully. If you're a business owner who's hit a ceiling and can't figure out why, or you're doing well but feel like something's not quite right, this one is worth your time. What this episode covers • Why successful business owners don't retire even when they can • Purpose and identity: what keeps driven people in the game • What a margin leak is and why most businesses have one they don't know about • How a $6 million business was losing $540,000 a year from a simple tracking mistake • Why not tracking job costs against budgets is one of the most common ways businesses lose money • The software Adam's business uses to track project costs down to the dollar • Why business skills transfer across any industry • Why having the right business mindset means you can walk into any industry and still succeed • How mentoring works and what Adam looks for in a coaching client In this episode: Why successful business owners rarely retire completely The role purpose and identity play in long-term success What margin leaks are and how they impact profitability How one business lost $540,000 without realising it Why job cost tracking matters more than most owners think The systems Adam uses to monitor project profitability Why leadership and business knowledge transfer across industries What Adam looks for when mentoring business owners The difference between business operators and business leaders ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Rich people aren't actually motivated by money 0:25 – Adam could retire tomorrow. So why doesn't he? 0:48 – What happens after you've "made it"? 1:11 – How Adam mentors trades business owners 1:33 – The $540,000 margin leak story 2:46 – What Adam looks at first in a business 3:56 – The biggest reason construction businesses lose money 4:19 – Why manual job costing fails 4:40 – Software systems and project profitability 5:26 – Why helping other business owners creates purpose 6:13 – Expanding into new states successfully 6:33 – Leadership skills that transfer across industries 6:55 – Two types of successful business owners 🔗 Connect with Adam Hall https://www.instagram.com/the_adamhall/ 📲 Need help with workplace rehabilitation or injury recovery? 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ 📣 Follow AusRehab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y

    1h 27m

  2. Jun 2

    Ep 11 Workers Comp IME Letter Explained | What Injured Workers Must Know (NSW)

    Say you receive a letter on your kitchen table saying your employer or insurer has arranged a specialist appointment to assess your ability to work. There’s a doctor’s name, a date, and a time. Most people just show up. They assume it’s legitimate. They assume everything was done by the book. And most of the time, nobody tells them otherwise. But here’s the thing. In many cases, that letter does not meet the legal requirements under workers compensation guidelines. And the insurer is counting on you not knowing that. A real government audit of QBE looked at 50 workers compensation claims over just five working days and found zero compliance on one key obligation insurers must follow before sending this type of letter. Dr. Danny Tang joins us again to explain what an Independent Medical Examination (IME) letter must legally include, what insurers are actually doing, and what it means for your claim when the process is not followed correctly. He also explains how IMC referrals fit into the process and why knowing your rights matters. If you’ve received one of these letters, or know someone who has, watch this before taking the next step. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:02 – Dr. Tang is back 1:35 – What an IME letter is and legal requirements 2:36 – Workers compensation guidelines explained 4:40 – Why IME letters often look identical 5:49 – Compliance issues and what it means for injured workers 6:54 – Requirement to contact the treating doctor 8:23 – How claims can be impacted by this process 9:22 – IMC referrals and compliance issues 11:29 – Audit findings and insurer obligations 12:06 – Why understanding your rights matters 12:36 – Closing thoughts  📲 Need help with your workplace injury? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 🔗 Reach out to Dr. Danny Tang: https://www.patrickmedical.com.au/ 🔗 Listen & Connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need help with your workplace injury recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📣 Follow us for more  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/  Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/  Email: marketing@ausrehab.com  Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #WorkersCompensation #IME #IndependentMedicalExamination #WorkCoverNSW #InjuredWorker #KnowYourRights #WorkplaceInjury #ReturnToWork

    13 min

  3. May 21

    Ep 10 Workers Comp Certificate Mistakes Explained | What Your Doctor Can Get Wrong

    “Stress is not a diagnosis. And if there’s no diagnosis, there’s no injury. And if there’s no injury, there’s no claim.” In this episode of Behind the Claim, Dr Danny Tang returns to break down one of the most important documents in a workers compensation claim: the Certificate of Capacity. Most injured workers sign it without reading it closely. Many treating doctors complete it without fully understanding what the legislation requires. And when mistakes are made, claims can be delayed, disputed, or payments can stop. Dr Tang speaks from both sides of the process, as a treating doctor and as an Independent Medical Consultant (IMC). He explains what insurers look for, where doctors commonly get it wrong, and why small compliance issues can create major problems for injured workers. This episode covers: • Why the Certificate of Capacity matters so much in a workers comp claim • Why terms like “stress,” “anxiety,” and “neck pain” are not valid diagnoses on their own • How the date of injury can affect treatment access and referrals • What the capacity for activities section is for, and why it should not be left blank • Why “one month” is not the same as 28 days under the NSW workers compensation rules • Why older WorkCover NSW certificates are no longer valid • How better compliance could improve claim outcomes for injured workers If you are injured at work, supporting a family member, or involved in managing workers compensation claims, this episode gives a practical look at what the paperwork actually requires and why it matters. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 1:02 – Dr Tang returns 2:11 – Initial vs subsequent Certificate of Capacity 3:39 – Why employer name and occupation matter 4:07 – Consent and privacy rules 6:07 – Why “stress” and “anxiety” are not valid diagnoses on their own 7:40 – DSM-5 and psychiatric diagnosis 8:09 – No diagnosis means no claim 9:30 – Why the date of injury matters 12:20 – The 12-week referral rule 15:31 – Treatment plans and capacity for activities 19:48 – No current work capacity and missing timeframes 24:24 – Why 28 days is not “one month” 29:07 – Why WorkCover NSW certificates are invalid 33:22 – Why “neck pain” is a symptom, not a diagnosis 43:32 – Closing thoughts on compliance and better claims 🔗 Listen & Connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need help with your workplace injury recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📣 Follow us for more  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/  Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/  Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Podcast Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #CertificateOfCapacity #WorkersComp #WorkCoverNSW #SIRA #MedicalCertificate #ReturnToWork #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

    44 min

  4. May 1

    EP 09 Why Workplace Injuries Don’t Improve | Chiropractor & EP Explain Recovery (Australia)

    Movement is key to getting better. Don’t sit around and do nothing.” Most injured workers are told to rest and wait for the pain to settle. But for many people, that approach can delay recovery and keep them away from work longer than necessary. In this episode of Behind the Claim, Stephen sits down with John Beshay, an exercise physiologist and chiropractor, to explain why some workplace injuries don’t improve and what actually helps people recover. John shares his journey into rehabilitation after seeing a close family member struggle with recovery, and how that experience shaped the way he now approaches treatment. Today, John works across workplace rehabilitation, combining exercise physiology and chiropractic care, and supporting injured workers, employers, and organisations including the Australian Defence Force. This episode covers: • Why movement plays a key role in injury recovery • The difference between exercise physiologists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists • Why staying off work too long can delay recovery • What happens during case conferences in workplace rehabilitation • How return-to-work planning supports long-term health outcomes • Real-world insights into workplace testing and rehabilitation systems If you’ve been injured at work, or supporting someone through recovery, this episode gives a practical view of how rehabilitation works and what can slow progress. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 2:21 – Who is John Beshay 8:56 – EP vs chiropractor vs osteopath vs physiotherapist 11:05 – How qualifications influence treatment 18:55 – Early challenges in occupational rehab  20:14 – Return to life before return to work 29:49 – Why movement is critical for recovery 40:47 – When recovery takes longer than expected 47:30 – Workplace testing and real-world examples 1:08:26 – Working with the Australian Defence Force 1:16:07 – Challenges in veteran rehabilitation 🔗 Listen & Connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt Connect with our guest, John Beshay, to learn more about rehabilitation and return-to-work strategies: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-beshay-7a7b404b/ 📲 Need help with your workplace injury recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📣 Follow us for more  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/  Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/  Email: marketing@ausrehab.com  Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #WorkplaceInjury #InjuryRecovery #ReturnToWork #ExercisePhysiologist #Chiropractor #WorkplaceRehabilitation #WorkersComp #AusRehab

    1h 21m

  5. Apr 17

    Ep 08 Why Safety is Non-Negotiable | What Happens When Workplace Safety Fails

    "It was my safety way. There was no highway option." Melissa Tearle was in her mid-twenties, the only woman on site, surrounded by concreters and demolition workers who weren't exactly lining up to talk safety. So she stopped trying to force it. She found a smarter way in. Over the next 30 years, she built a career most safety professionals only read about in textbooks. From small-scale construction in regional New South Wales, to sitting as the safety lead on one of Australia's largest infrastructure developments at Moorebank, she's seen what genuine safety culture looks like and what happens when it doesn't exist. In this episode, Stephen sits down with Melissa Tearle, founder of Incite Safety, to talk about the reality of keeping people safe at work. Not the paperwork version. The real version. Melissa talks about the fatality she witnessed on site. A sequence of events that should never have lined up the way they did. And the quiet, unglamorous work her team did afterward to make sure it could never happen again. She breaks down what a business case for a $20,000 piece of lifting equipment actually looks like when you stack it against $150,000 per individual workers comp claim. She explains why she invited regulators onto a live construction site when everyone else was telling her not to. And she talks about why she thinks "go home safe" isn't actually a good enough standard. Her philosophy is simple. Workers shouldn't just go home the same way they arrived. They should go home better. That's not a slogan. For Melissa, it's the whole point. Need a safety consultant who actually gets it? Find Melissa at www.incitesafety.com.au 📲 Need help with your workplace injury or car accident recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website below 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ What This Episode Covers How Melissa went from photocopying plans to leading safety on one of Australia's largest infrastructure projects Being the only woman on site and the strategies she developed to get people talking The fatality she witnessed, what led to it, and what changed afterward Why delivery drivers are one of the most overlooked risks in construction How a $20,000 equipment purchase eliminated over a million dollars in workers comp claims Why she invited the regulator onto a live site when everyone around her said not to Why "go home safe" isn't actually a high enough standard Timestamps 0:00 – Opening: a death on work site and why it still matters  2:40 – How Melissa got her start and what those early years taught her  8:15 – Being the only woman in the room and figuring out how to be heard  12:30 – Going out on her own and landing one of the biggest projects in Australia 19:00 – Why the paperwork you sign before work starts can save lives later  24:00 – What it looks like when dozens of crews are all working in the same space  29:30 – How you know a site is actually safe before someone gets hurt  37:00 – The day someone didn't go home and what changed because of it  42:00 – Spending $20,000 on safety equipment to save over a million  49:00 – Why looking after people's health is part of the job too  54:00 – Why she called in the government safety inspectors when everyone else was hesitant about it 58:00 – Closing thoughts 🔗 Listen & connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need help with your workplace injury or car accident recovery?  Call us on 1300 391 947 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ 📣 Follow us for more Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Podcast Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y

    1h 13m

  6. Mar 8

    Ep 07 Why Workers Comp Claims Get Rejected | Certificate of Capacity & IME Explained (Australia)

    “Unfortunately, back pain is not a diagnosis. Back pain is a symptom.”Most people think workers compensation is about treatment. In reality, many claims stall because of small but critical details in the paperwork.In this episode of Behind the Claim, Stephen speaks with Dr Danny Tang from Patrick Street Medical Centre, a GP with more than 30 years’ experience in occupational health and workers compensation in Australia.They discuss why workers comp claims get rejected or delayed, including:Writing “back pain” instead of a clear medical diagnosis Leaving sections of the Certificate of Capacity incompleteFailing to properly link the injury to the workplaceErrors around the date of injuryWhy workers comp paperwork differs from standard GP documentationWhat IMC (Independent Medical Consultant) and IME (Independent Medical Examination) assessments are designed to doHow capacity is assessedWhat “suitable duties” and return to work actually meanReal examples of serious workplace injuries seen in practiceDr Tang explains why some GPs are confident in managing workplace injuries while others struggle. It is not about clinical ability. It is about understanding how the scheme operates and what insurers require to approve treatment.The episode also covers:If you have an active workers compensation claim, or you are unsure why your claim has been delayed or rejected, this episode explains what happens behind the scenes and why choosing the right treating provider matters. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Why “back pain” is not a diagnosis 3:50 – Regular GP vs workers comp GP 5:20 – Certificate of Capacity mistakes 9:30 – Date of injury explained 13:15 – Linking injury to work 21:30 – IMC and IME explained 34:30 – Capacity and return to work 1:06:50 – Severe injuries in practice 1:08:10 – How to find Dr Tang 🔗 Listen & connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need assistance? Call us on 1300 391 947 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/📣 Follow us for more Instagram:   / ausrehab   Facebook:   / ausrehab   LinkedIn:   / ausrehab   Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Podcast Playlist   • Behind the Claims Podcast  #workerscomp #WorkCover #CertificateOfCapacity #occupationalhealth #IME #returntowork #behindtheclaim #ausrehab

    1h 9m

  7. Feb 25

    Ep 06 Scaffold Collapse & Workplace Death | A Mother’s Fight for Safety Reform

    Christopher was about to turn 18. He had a new car, his first loan, and plans for the future. On the morning of 1 April 2019, his birthday, he drove himself to work. At 12:20pm, a nine-storey scaffold collapsed at a Sydney construction site. He never came home. In this episode of Behind the Claim, Stephen speaks with Christopher’s mother, Patrizia Cassaniti, about what happened that day and the workplace safety failures that led to his death. Patrizia walks through what went wrong on site — scaffold ties removed, missing bracing, 18.9 tonnes of bricks loaded onto a structure that wasn’t secured. Workers had raised concerns. The job continued anyway. She explains the court process, the fines that were handed down, and the moment she was told no one was criminally responsible because the law at the time did not allow it. This conversation examines: The safety decisions that led to a preventable workplace death What Category 1 and Category 2 safety offences mean Why industrial manslaughter laws matter in Australia Why fines alone do not always change behaviour The push for “Christopher’s Law” and mandatory anti-tampering scaffold devices The long-term impact of workplace fatalities on families Why workers compensation death benefits are often not enough This episode is about accountability. It is about the cost of cutting corners on construction sites. And it is about challenging the “she’ll be right” culture that still exists in parts of Australian workplaces. Patrizia now speaks at worksites across Australia advocating for stronger safety laws and culture change. She also runs the Touch by Christopher Foundation, supporting families who have lost someone at work. Her message is simple: You go to work to build a life. Not to lose it. 🔗 Learn more about Patrizia’s advocacy:https://www.letstalkaboutsafety.com.au/ ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Why Patrizia speaks out 2:40 – Christopher’s life before the collapse 6:40 – What happened on site 8:30 – Ties removed, missing bracing, scaffold overloaded 11:30 – Warnings ignored 14:00 – The “she’ll be right” culture 18:45 – Grief and anger after a workplace death 26:00 – Christopher’s Law 30:40 – Industrial manslaughter explained 34:30 – Why no one was personally charged 36:40 – Fine discounts and corporate risk 42:10 – Accountability and consequences 48:00 – Touch by Christopher Foundation 55:00 – Closing message Catch every episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehabLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📲 Need assistance? Call us on 1300 391 947 📣 Follow us for more: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Email: marketing@ausrehab.com 🔗 Listen & connect Podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #WorkplaceSafety #ScaffoldCollapse #ConstructionSafety #IndustrialManslaughter #SafetyCulture #WorkplaceAccountability #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

    58 min

  8. Feb 19

    Ep 05 Inside Australia’s Aged Care System | What’s Changed in 2026 | AusRehab

    “You can walk into a client’s home and find the client deceased.” That line captures the reality of aged care work in Australia. In Episode 5 of Behind the Claim, Stephen Zheng speaks with Izmir Pooloo from Your Aged Care about what aged care actually involves, how people access services, and what has changed under the new Support at Home program introduced on 1 November. The conversation unpacks: - What aged care is and who it supports - The difference between home-based care and residential aged care - How government assessment teams determine eligibility - What services are covered, including personal care, transport, allied health and nursing - The introduction of contribution payments under the Support at Home reform - Which clinical services remain contribution-free - The impact of funding changes on disadvantaged and non-English speaking communities The episode also examines the realities of working in aged care, including repetitive physical demands, underreported injuries, unsafe requests in client homes, and the psychological risks faced by workers providing care in isolation. Izmir shares how early intervention, structured training, modified duties and mental health support can reduce injury risk and strengthen workforce wellbeing. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction: realities of aged care and system pressures 0:41 – What aged care is and who it supports 2:27 – Support at Home program explained 3:00 – Government assessments and eligibility 6:34 – Funding changes and contribution fees 11:05 – Contribution-free services 13:16 – Impact on disadvantaged communities 18:23 – Workforce structure 23:25 – Workplace injuries and early intervention 27:26 – Mental health and trauma exposure 44:24 – Unsafe tasks in client homes 1:05:46 – System gaps and future direction 1:08:50 – Wrap-up 🔗 Listen & connect Catch every episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📲 Need assistance? Call us on 1300 391 947 📣 Follow us for more: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #AgedCare #SupportAtHome #HomeCareAustralia #WorkplaceSafety #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkersComp #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

    1h 9m

  9. Jan 28

    Ep 04 Job Seeking in a Tough Market | Disability Employment & Interview Tips (NSW)

    “You’ve only got that period of time. That’s your time to shine.” The job market is unpredictable, and when you’ve been out of work for a while, returning can feel personal, confronting, and exhausting. In Episode 4 of Behind the Claim, Stephen sits down with Paulo Ubaldo, Business Development Manager and Disability Employment Consultant, to talk honestly about what actually helps people return to work. Especially when disability, injury, confidence challenges, or long gaps in employment are part of the story. Paulo explains what the real employment support process looks like and why progress often happens over 3, 6, or even 12 months. He shares how “reverse marketing” candidates to employers works in practice, and how focusing on strengths can sometimes lead to roles being shaped around the person. The conversation also dives into interview preparation details most people overlook. Simple things like planning transport, choosing the right outfit, setting up lighting for online interviews, and managing stress can make a big difference. Alongside the practical tips, Paulo shares mindset lessons around rejection, resilience, adaptability, and staying realistic in a competitive market. This episode is designed for job seekers navigating return to work, as well as employers who want to better understand how capable talent can be missed when barriers are misunderstood. What a disability employment consultant actually does and how barriers are removed The typical 3, 6, and 12-month support timeline and why patience matters How reverse marketing helps match candidates to the right roles A real case example of matching an autistic, non-verbal client to a routine-based role Interview preparation details that build confidence before the room or camera turns on Why rejection is part of the process and how resilience is built over time In this episode you will hear: 0:00 – Cold open: your “time to shine” and job market reality 0:46 – Meet Paulo Ubaldo, employment consultant 1:29 – What disability employment support really involves 2:47 – The 3 / 6 / 12-month support timeline explained 3:32 – Reverse marketing and creating roles around strengths 5:16 – Case story: autistic, non-verbal client matched to packaging role 7:08 – Practising screening and reducing employer concerns 8:43 – What the employment support process looks like in reality 10:17 – Resume readiness and job applications 12:15 – Interview prep basics people often forget 14:22 – Planning transport and Paulo’s parking story 17:08 – Managing stress and small interview details 18:23 – Why how you leave the interview matters 19:06 – Using interviews as free practice 20:11 – Finding common interview questions online 21:59 – The “Which company is this?” mistake 23:29 – Research that leads to job offers 26:23 – Post-interview mistakes that cost roles 28:31 – Online interview setup: lighting, camera, background 32:19 – Top tip #1: Attitude 33:19 – Handling rejection and building resilience 36:56 – Top tip #2: Adaptability 40:50 – Top tip #3: Being realistic and starting junior 45:57 – Why newly employed people become more employable 48:49 – Motivation challenges for job seekers 49:57 – Persistence and Paulo’s goosebumps story 55:08 – How many job applications is normal 59:28 – Applying through recruiters vs direct 1:00:48 – Wrap-up and how to connect Catch every episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Need return-to-work or employment support?👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehabLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ #JobSeeking #DisabilityEmployment #ReturnToWork #InterviewTips #NSWJobs #SydneyCareers #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

    1h 1m

  10. 11/14/2025

    Ep3: When the Claim Becomes the Problem | A Psychologist’s Perspective

    “Injury is not fun. No one wakes up and decides, today I’m going to get injured at work.” But the hardest part isn’t always the injury, it’s what happens next. Overnight, people are thrown into a workers comp system they don’t understand: forms, investigations, jargons, and long letters. When you’re already struggling, it can make everything feel even heavier. In this episode, Stephen chats with psychologist Matt Semsar about why the workers comp process can feel like salt on the wound, and what actually helps people recover.Matt has seen it from all angles, as a rehab consultant, as a treating psychologist, and as someone who’s been injured himself. In this episode, you’ll hear: ➡️ Why psych claims are rising faster and costing more than physical injuries ➡️ How the novelty of a workers comp claim (“What is this? What happens now?”) becomes “salt on the wound” ➡️ Why uncertainty about money, recovery and the future can be more distressing than the injury itself ➡️ The common mistakes that turn insurers into “the enemy” – even while they’re spending thousands to help ➡️ Real case examples where poor communication turned a 3-month recovery into 12 months off work ➡️ Practical changes insurers and providers can make to reduce confusion and build trust with injured workers ➡️ How early intervention, clear information and empathy speed up recovery ➡️ Why injured workers must know they can choose their own treatment provider GP ➡️ A simple explanation of acute vs chronic pain – and why long-term pain changes everything ➡️ How behaviour activation and cognitive pathway help people rebuild their lives after injury Whether you’re a case manager, employer, treating provider or an injured worker, this episode gives a brutally honest, hopeful look at how we can make workers compensation more human – without blowing up the scheme. Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome to Behind the Claims 01:47 – Why Psychological Claims are Growing 04:05 – The Injured Worker's Worldview 11:06 – Case Study: From Social to Isolated 21:15 – Who's to Blame: The System or the People? 24:25 – How Empathy Can Be Taught 31:25 – The Biggest Workers Comp Challenge: Uncertainty 36:45 – How a Complicated Process Hinders Recovery 41:24 – Why Your Doctor's Experience Matters 45:55 – Are Insurers the Enemy? 48:29 – The Power of Early, Transparent Communication 58:25 – Final thoughts & wrap-up Get our free Ergonomic & Manual Handling Poster here - bit.ly/46qHOs0 Dealing with workplace injuries? Contact us today to see how we can help - https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ We’d love to hear from you in the comments, or connect with us here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Email: marketing@ausrehab.com

    59 min

  11. 10/28/2025

    Ep2: Real Stories Behind Psych Claims

    “You can’t X-ray anxiety, that’s what makes psych claims so complex.” Psychological injury claims are the fastest-growing and most misunderstood part of workers compensation. They now make up over 10% of all work injury claims, and they’re costing 38% of the entire scheme. In episode 02 of Behind the Claims, Stephen sits down with Abbie (Rehabilitation Division Head) and David (Sales Relationship Lead) from AusRehab to unpack why psych claims take so long, what’s broken in the system, and what real recovery actually looks like. 🎧 You’ll hear: ➡️ Why psych claims have doubled in the last six years ➡️ How psychological damage is overlooked on the Certificate of Capacity ➡️ Why early intervention and small goals (“collecting mail twice a week”) matter more than timeframes ➡️ What employers can do right now to reduce psych injuries and support staff ➡️ The remarkable story of a worker who went from PTSD to a new $130k career Whether you’re an employer, case manager, or an injured worker, this episode gives an honest, human look at what really happens behind the claims. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to Behind the Claims 02:00 - What Makes Psychological Claims So Complex 04:00 - Why Recovery Takes Longer for Psych Injuries 07:00 - The Trouble with Diagnosis & Medication 10:00 - Bullying, PTSD & Common Psych Claim Types 13:00 - Is the Certificate of Capacity Broken? 16:30 - Real Case: From Trauma to Starting Over 20:00 - What Good Rehab Looks Like 23:00 - Person-Centred Care in Action 26:00 - How We Can Improve the System Get our free Ergonomic & Manual Handling Poster here - bit.ly/46qHOs0 Dealing with workplace injuries? Contact us today to see how we can help - https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ We’d love to hear from you in the comments, or connect with us here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Email: marketing@ausrehab.com

    41 min

  12. 09/26/2025

    Ep1: The Hidden Truth Behind Workplace Psych Injuries

    “Sometimes the first call an injured worker gets is: When are you coming back? That’s the worst question you can ask.” Most people think recovery after a workplace injury is all about doctors and medical treatment. The truth? Medical care only explains about 8% of whether someone actually gets back to work. The real difference comes from the employer. In this episode, Eric (senior rehab consultant) and Matthew (psychologist & team leader) break down the hidden realities of WorkCover and psychological claims: Why psychological injury claims have spiked from 10% to 40% in just a few yearsWhat really happens when an employee reports workplace bullyingThe surprising reason so many injured workers never return to their old jobHow employer empathy, early contact, and genuine support change everythingWhy silence from an employer can be more damaging than the injury itselfThe big flaw in the system that keeps psychologists from speaking upSimple, practical steps employers and RTW coordinators can take to actually help Whether you’re an injured worker, an employer, RTW coordinator, or just curious about how the workers compensation system really works, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of Australia’s silent workplace crises. For more about workers comp and return to work service, visit: www.ausrehab.com ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Meet Eric & Matt 02:15 Why the WorkCover system feels broken 04:01 The rise of psychological injury claims 06:09 Workplace bullying claims in real life 09:01 The #1 factor in return-to-work outcomes (hint: it’s not medical care!) 12:22 The cost of staying silent when your worker is injured 15:35 The right way to check in on injured staff 21:50 Why the system discourages psychologist input 23:04 Final advice for employers & RTW coordinators

    24 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Behind the Claims Podcast brings you real stories and straight answers on workplace injuries, breaking down the workers compensation system. For everyone who's been injured at work, employers, healthcare workers, and support people who want to help. Listen in, learn more, stay ahead! Website: www.ausrehab.com Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Instagram: @ausrehab

Information