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Kaya reader,
This October, it's time to celebrate the significant achievements of those working in personal injury management and workers compensation in our State.
We were thrilled to see so many Western Australians named as finalists in the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) Excellence in Personal Injury & Disability Management Awards 2024. Our workplace rehabilitation providers and claims managers have been recognised for their innovative solutions to combat existing and emerging issues.
It's all happening when the PIEF National Conference and Awards roll into town at the end of the month. This three-day extravaganza includes international and local keynote speakers, more than 50 presentations and a packed exhibitors hall, a.k.a. PIEFExpo. Be sure to swing by the WorkCover WA booth to say hello.
Explore the full program and get your tickets now.
As a proud diamond sponsor of the event, we look forward to welcoming you there on 28 October to start exploring this year’s theme, “Work, Drive and Be Well.”
IN FOCUS
The 2023/24 financial year was the year we embarked on the journey towards implementation of a new legislative framework.
It’s the year we empowered our stakeholders to be prepared for meaningful change to build a sustainable future for the workers compensation and injury management scheme in Western Australia.
It’s the year our compliance inspections and voluntary compliance activities led to an additional 25,946 workers covered by a policy of workers compensation insurance and an additional $47M raised for the premium pool.
Look beyond the numbers and unpack the story of a pivotal year in workers compensation and injury management in WA.
MORE NEWS
ARPA WA Awards
On 13 September, we were pleased to attend the ARPA WA 2024 Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards.
The Awards celebrate excellence in workplace rehabilitation and showcase the outstanding achievements and initiatives of providers across the scheme.
CEO Chris White and General Manager Rebecca Harris were pleased to be on the judging panel, and WorkCover WA was proud to sponsor the award for Outstanding Consultant.
Congratulations to all the deserving nominees and winners of the evening!
New resources for hospitals
Navigating the workers compensation claim process can be overwhelming – especially if you’ve just been injured and have presented to a hospital for treatment.
Our new brochure and posters keeps it simple with the first steps for injured workers, and where to go for more information.
These are an ideal resource for any hospital emergency department, urgent care centre or GP clinic. Our ready-made resource pack containing 2 posters, 100 brochures and a folding brochure stand is available for order on our website now.
National Safe Work Month
October is National Safe Work Month and this year’s theme is safety is everyone’s business, which emphasises the collective responsibility we all share in ensuring healthy and safe workplaces.
As part of this initiative, WorkSafe WA is hosting multiple events to promote work health and safety, including the EveryBODY matters forum on 15 October, an opportunity to hear from multiple industry professionals including WorkCover WA CEO Chris White.
All Safe Work Month events are free, and multiple events can be attended in-person and online, but registration is required. We hope to see you there.
Upcoming training for prospective APIAs
Approved Permanent Impairment Assessors (APIAs) play an important role in the WA workers compensation scheme.
APIAs assess an injured worker’s degree of permanent impairment in accordance with the WorkCover WA Guidelines, to determine their eligibility to access certain workers compensation entitlements.
Our next WorkCover WA Guidelines training is scheduled to take place on 24 October 2024.
Find out more about how to become an APIA on the WorkCover WA website.
SPOTLIGHT ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Updated Conciliation Practice Note
Conciliation Practice Note 2 has been revoked and a new Conciliation Practice Note 2A has been published, with effect from 1 October 2024.
The rule relates to applications for conciliation pertaining to a claim where the applicant is of the view the claim is taken to have been accepted pursuant to section 28(6)(a) and the employer has not commenced payments of income compensation in accordance with sections 28(6)(b) and 47 of the Act.
Top tips for lodging settlement agreements
Correctly completing and lodging settlement agreements and supporting documents minimises processing delays.
When making lodgements:
- Make sure all required documents have been lodged
- Confirm all fields on the form are complete
- Check that the information provided is consistent across all documents.
Following the tips above cuts down on the time required to assess and process non-compliant applications and ensures we can continue to process the significant amount of settlement agreements lodged with us as quickly as possible.
Our online training courses for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers and Claims Managers have now been updated! Stay tuned for the full updated course for Insurance Brokers.
Dates for your diary
ANZSOM ASM 2024
20-23 October 2024
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 and present.
