Dear reader

It was pleasing to have so many stakeholders attend our recent online Insurer and Self-Insurer Seminar earlier this month. The need to innovate and deliver high-quality services in a digital world, will see WorkCover WA continue to adapt and evolve to keep you engaged and informed in a virtual environment.

As we move steadily closer to the end of this financial year, we continue to work hard to deliver on 2021/22 key projects. This includes Foundations of Workers’ Compensation, an online learning program for claims managers, set for release in June. This program will educate claims managers on their role and the responsibilities they have to their clients, within the context of the workers’ compensation scheme. We look forward to sharing more on this education program, in the coming months.

Don't forget, 2022 marks 40 years of WorkCover WA which we will celebrate during our Conference later in the year. The new Conference date is set to be released soon, so please stay up to date by connecting with us on social media.

Check out our socials

FOCUS

Changes to monitoring pended claims for insurers and self-insurers.

WorkCover WA’s focus on claims pended greater than 90 days, through monthly reporting by insurers and self-insurers, has seen a decrease in the number of these claims. We are pleased the management of long term pended claims has delivered positive outcomes for injured workers and employers.

This improvement has led us to review the requirements of standard 2.3 of the Insurers and Self-insurer Principles and Standards of Practice, where monthly reporting is required of claims pended longer than 90 days. As such, WorkCover WA will trial a shift in reporting obligations from a monthly to a quarterly period. The standard will not change at this time.

The next report will be provided to insurers and self-insurers in June 2022. We remind all insurers and self-insurers of the importance of actively managing long term pended claims, maximising the workers compensation experience for workers and employers.

View Principles and Standards

OTHER NEWS

Graphic featuring high-penalty prosecutions

The Risk of Non-Insurance

Monitoring compliance and enforcing outcomes

Non-insurance poses risks to the safety of workers who need to be compensated should an injury occur. Operating while uninsured creates a risk to a business, its workers, and the fairness of the scheme.

This financial year, our compliance team ensured 290 businesses purchased a workers’ compensation policy after non-insurance investigations commenced. This reflects just over $1,000,000 in additional premium raised. Importantly, close to 1400 employees are now covered by a workers’ compensation policy.

WorkCover WA’s role is to identify and collect evidence to prosecute a case, but it is the courts who determine the penalty outcomes of a prosecution.

View recent prosecutions

Pie chart showing in 2019/20, 82% of workers returned to work within 3 months of their injury.

Return to Work

The importance of a "Return to Work" program

Returning to work promptly and safely has positive health benefits for workers who have been injured at work. To support a safe and sustained return to work, employers must develop a written ‘Return to Work’ Program for their injured workers, when advised to do so.

Resources are available on the WorkCover WA website, to assist employers develop and implement these programs.

Find out more

Insurance Brokers Code of Practice

Just released

The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) have recently launched a new version of the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice.

The new Code comes into effect 1 November 2022 and sets out the expectations for NIBA members, and those who subscribe to the Code.

While brokers are not regulated by WorkCover WA, we endorse the values of the Code and recommend all brokers engaging with the scheme subscribe to them.

View code

Harmony Week

Everyone belongs at WorkCover WA

Starting 21 March 2022, WorkCover WA will celebrate multiculturalism and diversity over the course of Harmony Week.

At WorkCover WA, we embody the 2022 theme everyone belongs.

Our services consider the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of workers and employers by offering a range of resources available in languages other than English and providing interpreter services where required.

Visit our Resources page to find out more.

View resources