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Kaya reader,
March is all about focus and impact.
It's committing to meet high standards for every worker and every employer, every day. It's understanding the difference you're making to support the scheme and improve service outcomes. It's uplifting your capability and engaging with educational content and resources.
How can you do that? We're glad you asked – read on for more.
Focus
The Approved Permanent Impairment Assessor (APIA) Principles and Standards of Practice are coming soon!
Since mid-2025, we have been working closely with our expert Reference Group to produce a cohesive set of service expectations for APIAs. The Principles and Standards will support APIAs to deliver high quality services when assessing a worker's whole person impairment.
The Reference Group has now completed its work. Our sincere thanks to all members for their valuable expertise, input, and practical insight into key priority areas to support the effective operation of the scheme.
APIAs, we look forward to seeing you in May for the launch! More information coming soon.
News and Updates
Proposed Act Amendments
We are currently consulting stakeholders on proposed technical amendments to the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (the Act). These amendments are aimed at addressing implementation issues identified since the Act came into operation on 1 July 2024.
The Act has been in operation for over 18 months with generally positive feedback, however targeted refinements are proposed to ensure it continues to operate as intended.
Stakeholders are invited to comment on the proposals in the consultation paper, as well as any other necessary technical amendments, with submissions due by 10 April.
Conciliation Practice Notes
The Director has issued new Consolidated Conciliation Practice Notes which set out:
- the minimum required supporting documentation to be lodged with applications for conciliation
- specific requirements for certain common application types
- processes and expectations to assist in achieving the objects of conciliation
- the practice of the Conciliation Service.
You can access the Conciliation Practice Notes and find additional details about our dispute resolution services by visiting our website.
Events and Engagement
Capability development is fundamental to delivering strong claim outcomes. As a regulator, we were delighted to welcome the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) back to Perth for the official launch of the National Standards.
PIEF CEO David Fryar and General Manager Louise Stuart guided an audience of 400 WA service providers through the National Standards, as well as the tools and resources available to drive best practice and optimise outcomes for injured workers.
Earlier this week, we were pleased to host internationally recognised workers compensation expert Professor Alex Collie to strengthen knowledge and capability across the scheme.
Professor Collie shared hot-off-the-press national insights and evidence‑based practices, highlighting the critical role case managers play in the recovery and return to work process.
Attendees also zoomed in to explore the WA perspective through a panel discussion between Professor Collie and WorkCover WA's Chris White, Rebecca Harris and Kevin Gillingham.
Connecting directly with regional stakeholders remains a vital part of how we support strong outcomes throughout WA.
In mid-February, we kicked off our 2026 regional engagement program with inspectors visiting various stakeholders based in and around Northam. They checked in with over 40 employers, as well as healthcare and service providers, and local community hubs.
These visits are about more than delivering resources – they’re about face‑to‑face conversations, listening to local experiences, and reinforcing our commitment to strong regulation and education.
More News
In late February, a social services business was prosecuted after employing 51 workers for three months without insurance in place and was ordered to pay a fine of $180,000.
With a single workplace injury having the potential to cost in excess of $1M, the high penalty reflects the seriousness of the offence.
If you have been exposed to asbestos or cared for someone who has, the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases wants to hear from you.
Their new National Survey, titled Asbestos Voices: Defining Research Priorities aims to identify what matters most to patients, carers, advocates and healthcare professionals to drive the direction of future medical research.
Learn more and complete the survey via the link below.
Culture corner
International Women's Day 2026
International Women’s Day may only come once a year, but we’re proud to recognise strong and successful women across our industry every single day.
Earlier this week, we marked the occasion by hearing from a panel of leading women in workplace rehabilitation.
Our sincere thanks to our guest speakers Loan Tang, Lisa Lange and Joanna Stanes for sharing advice and stories from their varied experiences as women working at the top of their field.
Pink Power
Service and collaboration is at the core of what we do, and we’re always proud to come together as an agency in support of worthwhile causes.
On 13 February, WorkCover WA went pink for a BBQ lunch fundraiser in support of the McGrath Foundation.
We were pleased to raise over $500 helping fund Cancer Care Nurses and improve outcomes for those living with breast cancer in communities across Australia.
Important dates
APIA Principles and Standards Launch
20 May 2026
ARPA National Conference 2026
31 August - 2 September 2026
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.
