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Kaya reader,
When you are constantly inundated with social media, news, and emails, every day can seem like a case of information overload and trying to gauge what’s important can be a challenge. Our February edition has you covered, with the latest from WorkCover WA.
With the drafting of the Regulations and Administrative Instruments for the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 almost complete, we are currently fine tuning some of the details with stakeholders.
At the conclusion of this process, a report will be provided to the Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Simone McGurk MLA, for her consideration.
Once the Regulations and Administrative Instruments are approved and published, education sessions will be offered to assist you, our stakeholders, to understand the technical aspects of these changes and how they will affect your work.
In the interim, if you are interested in having WorkCover WA attend your workplace for an introductory information session, please express your interest here.
We look forward to working with you to ensure a smooth transition on 1 July 2024.
FOCUS
WorkCover WA announced the launch of the Insurance Brokers Principles and Standards of Practice on 1 February 2024.
Developed in collaboration with an industry working group, the Principles and Standards set out clear expectations for brokers – a key scheme participant with a growing role that employers and workers rely on.
The Principles and Standards come into effect on 1 July 2024 with the new Act.
We will be offering broker information sessions through February 2024 to run through the Principles and Standards and how they may affect your work.
- Book a session for five or more people at your office here.
- For individuals, or a group of less than five, register your interest for a session at the WorkCover WA office here.
Find more information about the Principles and Standards on our website.
OTHER NEWS
Information Sessions kick off for 2024
Fittingly, on launch day of the Principles and Standards, WorkCover WA held one of our first information sessions of the year for brokers.
On the same day, we also held our first information session of the year for self-insurers.
Not only were these sessions an opportunity to connect with our stakeholders and flag upcoming legislative changes, but we also welcomed special guests Dr Mary Wyatt and Sharon Stratford from the It Pays to Care project to share their valuable insights.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and we look forward to more opportunities to connect soon.
Additional Consultation Paper released
WorkCover WA has released 24 of 27 consultation papers on proposals for regulations and WorkCover WA administrative instruments supporting the new Act. The deadline for submissions on those 24 papers has now closed.
Implementation Consultation Paper 23 - Independent Registered Agents Transitional Arrangements has now been released and is available on our website for public consultation.
We welcome submissions on this consultation paper until 23 February 2024, and will be releasing the remaining consultation papers shortly.
Annual Insurer Review
At the start of each calendar year, WorkCover WA conducts an Annual Insurer Review as part of our comprehensive approach to regulating service providers.
Following completion of the review in late 2023, we kicked off the new year by conducting face-to-face meetings with individual insurers to discuss performance, highlight areas for improvement and identify systemic issues.
The meetings were an opportunity for regulator and regulated body to come together and ensure we are on the same page to optimise service outcomes for the WA community.
Cocos Islands Visit
WorkCover WA has an agreement with the Commonwealth Government to provide workers compensation education and services to the Indian Ocean Territories.
In late January, WorkCover WA Inspectors conducted a compliance and education visit to the Cocos Islands.
The three-day visit included attending community centres, meeting with local employers and distributing publications.
Our aim is to raise awareness of workers compensation and injury management obligations and provide the resources necessary to support ongoing and informed compliance.
Events and Important Dates
PIEF Conference 2024
28-30 October 2024
WorkCover WA acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to all Aboriginal communities and their cultures, to elders past, present and emerging.
