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Kaya reader,
Welcome to Bunuru, the hottest season of all. As the year heats up, so do we - with plenty of exciting developments and opportunities to work together and amplify our impact.
From our new insurer and self-insurer review program and compliance policy to a host of upcoming regional trips, we're revving the engines for a massive year ahead.
While we are hitting the road, our online learning opportunities also continue to grow with our scholarships awarded for the new Compensable Health and Medicine course, developed by Monash University in partnership with the Personal Injury Education Foundation.
Read on to find out who our scholarship awardees are and see where our regulatory focus is at this month.
FOCUS
Insurer and Self-insurer Compliance Policy
The new WorkCover WA Insurer and Self-insurer Compliance Policy has been released to assist insurers and self-insurers better understand how WorkCover WA will regulate compliance against the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 and regulations.
This Policy outlines WorkCover WA’s approach to regulating insurer and self-insurer compliance with legislative requirements and consists of:
- an outline of the insurer and self-insurer legislative compliance framework
- guiding principles to ensure a consistent, equitable and accountable compliance framework
- the new six-tier system for regulatory response based on frequency, severity and drivers for any breaches or performance issues.
Adoption of the Policy will ensure insurers and self-insurers understand the importance of compliance in the workers compensation and injury management scheme and the approach WorkCover WA will apply to any breaches or performance issues.
Insurer and Self-insurer Performance Review Program
With the commencement of the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023, WorkCover WA has established a renewed regulatory framework for insurers and self-insurers, extending to all aspects of workers compensation and injury management with an emphasis on claims management.
The Insurer and Self-insurer Performance Review Program will commence in April 2025 for insurers and later in the year for self-insurers, and will allow both WorkCover WA and the insurer or self-insurer to review current compliance and identify areas for improvement. The Program will consist of performance reports, self-assessment, on-site reviews and a final annual performance report.
Further details about the Program will be provided by WorkCover WA to individual insurers and self-insurers.
REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Regular regional visits are one of the most important ways we raise awareness of workers compensation and injury management rights and obligations.
Northam
Today, WorkCover WA inspectors are visiting Northam to conduct site visits, promote compliance and distribute valuable resources to healthcare providers and organisations.
Compliance trips are currently in the works for Busselton and Christmas Island in the coming months.
Upcoming trip: Albany
We are teaming up with It Pays to Care’s Dr Mary Wyatt and heading to Albany this April to host sessions for employers and brokers on how to overcome barriers to effective injury management.
Registration is open now for our events on 2 April - find more information on our Eventbrite page.
MORE NEWS
Implementation review
As part of the implementation of the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 on 1 July 2024, many forms and processes changed in key areas for WorkCover WA and our stakeholders.
We have reviewed a number of our key forms and processes, and are now seeking feedback on the proposals contained in the consultation paper, and on any other aspect of the processes and approved forms implemented with the new Act on 1 July 2024.
Please note the proposals are intended to facilitate public comment and do not represent the final position of WorkCover WA, the Minister or Government.
Learn more about the scope of the review, along with the process and timeline to make a submission, on our website.
Congratulations to our Scholarship winners!
We recently announced our sponsorship of two scholarships for WA health practitioners to complete the new Compensable Health and Medicine course, developed by Monash University in partnership with the Personal Injury Education Foundation.
Thank you to all our applicants - we were overwhelmed by your passion, and due to the calibre of applications have added an additional scholarship. We're pleased to announce our successful applicants are Dr Bernie Cregan, Lennon Correia and Ingrid Hand.
We look forward to promoting more opportunities to further the learnings of service providers in WA.
Industry insights - Transport, Postal and Warehousing
The Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry encompasses a wide range of workers providing vital services.
With a workforce of 52,288 people, this industry includes workers for businesses providing transportation of passengers and freight by road, rail, water or air, as well as warehousing and storage activities.
A total of 1,559 claims were lodged in 2023/2024, accounting for 5.8% of total claims.
Ever wondered how your industry compares? Learn more about claim trends and attributes in key industries with our industry-specific reports.
There's still time to be part of WA's most exciting workers compensation and injury management event - as a sponsor of the WorkCover WA Conference on 16 September! With limited sponsorship packages remaining, visit our Conference website to view our Sponsorship Prospectus and submit your application.
Important dates
WorkCover WA Conference 2025
16 September 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 and present.
