Kaya reader,

For sports fans September is where potential becomes performance, and across our State teams are competing for finals glory.

While premierships are won in September, we know they are built through months of preparation, teamwork, resilience and a commitment to a shared goal. The same can be said for many of the significant initiatives currently underway across the workers compensation and injury management scheme.

At WorkCover WA, we're entering a similar phase. Several strategic initiatives are moving from concept to execution, with collaborative co-design processes set to commence. From standards development to reimagining the claim form, our focus remains firmly on building practical and sustainable solutions that make a real difference.

Like any successful finals campaign, meaningful progress isn't achieved by a single player. It requires shared commitment, trust and a clear sense of purpose. This is something we do well across the Western Australian scheme. Time and again, we see insurers, rehabilitation providers, brokers, employers, workers, clinicians and allied health providers come together to tackle complex challenges, share ideas and co-design solutions that deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.

The countdown to the Grand Final may be underway, but for many of our most important initiatives, the opening bounce is only just beginning.

ARPA National Conference and Awards

Last week on 1-2 September at Crown Perth, Reimagining Rehabilitation was in the spotlight at the ARPA National Conference 2026. As a major sponsor, we were thrilled to welcome over 300 attendees to this flagship event for workplace rehabilitation and return to work professionals. 

Highlights

COMING UP | PIEF Case Managers Summit

When: 27 October 2026
Where: Ritz-Carlton Perth

While the PIEF National Conference is in Geelong this year, join us for a one-day Case Managers Summit on 27 October right here in Perth. Attendees will enjoy a mix of sessions featuring local industry experts, as well as a link to the keynote sessions from the Geelong conference.

We look forward to a fantastic day for WA Case Managers to connect, learn and be inspired by leading voices from across the sector. 

Updates

Workers compensation insurance is not optional, and an employer's obligation applies regardless of whether workers are employed on a casual, part-time or full-time basis. Employers who fail to insure their workers not only place them at risk but can also gain an unfair financial advantage by avoiding premium costs.

A Joondalup cafe and restaurant business was recently fined $190,000 and ordered to pay avoided premiums for employing 98 workers for almost six months without the required workers compensation insurance. 

The message is clear: if you employ workers, you must have workers compensation insurance in place.

WorkCover WA has commenced a review to modernise the Workers Compensation Claim Form. While the current claim form has served us well it is in need of improvements.

Through this review, we aim to develop a modern, user-focused claim form which:

• is easier for injured workers and employers to understand and complete
• uses plain English and provides clear instructions
• collects only information necessary to support claim lodgement and assessment
• reduces duplication and unnecessary complexity
• improves the quality and completeness of information received
• continues to adhere to legislative and scheme requirements

WorkCover WA has sought expressions of interest from peak bodies to participate in a reference group that will help inform the review.

All stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input on a consultation draft of a new workers compensation claim form in early 2027.

WorkCover WA has commenced a review of the Insurer and Self-insurer Principles and Standards of Practice (Principles and Standards), which have guided scheme performance and regulatory expectations since 2020. The review will assess whether the Principles and Standards remain fit for purpose and identify opportunities for improvement while maintaining the existing framework's core intent.

As part of the review, we will establish a stakeholder reference group to provide practical insights, help consider consultation feedback, and contribute to the development of any proposed amendments. Expressions of interest have been sought from insurers, self-insurers, brokers and workplace rehabilitation providers through peak bodies. Nominations close on 25 September 2026.

The review will involve broad consultation across the workers compensation scheme, with further opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback as the project progresses.

WorkCover WA has issued a Bulletin with respect to transitional arrangements for permanent impairment assessments after the second edition of the WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment and version two of APIA1 Permanent Impairment Assessment – Report and Certificate came into effect. 

All WorkCover WA Bulletins are available on the Legislative Framework page of our website.

WorkCover WA will soon be a launching a tool to empower workers to check if their employer has workers compensation insurance in place. The ABN Coverage Checker will allow users to search by ABN to instantly check if the entered ABN is covered by a current policy of workers compensation insurance reported to WorkCover WA.

This tool is currently in the late development stage and is expected to launch in October. 

The introduction of this tool means it is more important than ever for insurers to ensure accurate policy information is promptly provided to WorkCover WA. Outdated and inaccurate policy information may lead to a worker believing their employer is not covered due to an incorrect ABN Coverage Checker result when in fact their employer does have a policy in place.