Kaya reader,

The heat is on as we head into Bunuru – the hottest season of the year – and we’re warming up for the start of a season of engagement and education.  

Just as the warmer weather signals shifting conditions our regulatory events are designed to highlight emerging issues, strengthen preparedness, and support proactive, evidence‑based responses across the scheme.

Coming up...

• Next week: PIEF National Standards Launch
• Next month: Insights and Impact with Professor Alex Collie

In this edition, we are highlighting work that you can connect with and collaborate on, to help shape the scheme. Read on for more information. 

Call for submissions

We are conducting a technical review of the WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment and have released a consultation paper for public comment.

The technical review considers recent changes to Safe Work Australia’s template impairment guides and a small number of WA specific issues raised by scheme stakeholders.

We invite written submissions on proposed changes as well as any technical changes identified by scheme participants that may assist to clarify existing provisions or chapters.

Submissions close 27 February 2026. The consultation paper and further information can be found via the link below. 

What's new?

NDIS Support Worker Fact Sheet

Our new NDIS Support Worker Fact Sheet provides information for NDIS participants and others to clarify when workers compensation insurance coverage is required when engaging an NDIS support worker. 

More stories

The Class Ruling published by the ATO states income compensation commuted to a lump sum in a settlement agreement is assessable as ‘ordinary income’ under tax law and must be included in a worker’s income tax return in the year it was received.

Whilst the Class Ruling is made by the ATO under taxation law, WorkCover WA is working closely with the insurance industry and the ATO to address some implementation issues raised by stakeholders.

Every employer has an obligation to have a policy of workers compensation insurance in place covering their workers.

It’s our role to educate employers, encourage voluntary compliance and investigate instances of suspected non-compliance.

Learn more about the work we do to protect every worker, every employer, every day. 

To close out the 2025 program and forecast our expectations for the year ahead, we have been meeting with insurers and self-insurers to reinforce the expected behaviours and provide support for their improvement trajectory.

Collaboration corner

Engaging with our stakeholders face-to-face is a key priority for us. Throughout January, we were pleased to meet with and conduct presentations to key service providers like GIO and EML, as well as local government employers from LGIS. We also had a valuable catch up with our National counterparts from Comcare.

Up next: We’re kicking off our regional visits for the year with a trip to Northam in early February to conduct inspections, promote compliance, and deliver educational resources.