Initiatives
Archive Projects
National Comparitive Performance Monitoring (CPM) System
The HWCA liaised with the Department of Workplace Relations Committee (DOWRAC) working party in progressing the development of a National Comparative Performance Monitoring (CPM) System. Such a tool would be utilised by the Council of Australian Governments to monitor the performance of all jurisdictions in the provision of workers' compensation and Occupational Health and Safety. The focus is on output/outcomes using accepted key performance indicators.
DOWRAC, in liaison with the HWCA, is progressing the issues raised in the unpublished report from the HWCA Benchmarking project in the development of the CPM system. The project report highlights the fundamental differences between workers' compensation schemes and collection environments, which hinders the production of consistent and reliable data to a standard that is acceptable for benchmarking purposes. This is a difficult issue to resolve without considerable system changes in some schemes.
The 2000 Comparative Performance Monitoring report has been published reporting on measures of average premium rates, recognition of liabilities, benefit to employees and other scheme costs, level of benefits and return to work.
A 'Comparison of Occupational Health and Safety Arrangements in Australian Jurisdictions' has also been developed and can be viewed at the above website.
Coverage of employees operating temporarily in another jurisdiction
The HWCA liaised with DOWRAC and the federal Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business in the development of a mutual recognition framework for workers' compensation arrangements in respect of coverage for employees operating temporarily in another jurisdiction.
Medical and allied health service projects
The HWCA convened a specialist working party, the National Medical Services Group (NMSG) to concentrate on the identification and development of "best practice" with respect to the provision of medical and allied health services, which may be implemented across Australia, with particular reference to controlling costs. Current projects of this group include:
- Coordination of a Return To Work Survey. This survey is conducted in two waves annually and serves as a benchmarking tool for participating jurisdictions.
- Maintenance of compendiums regarding return to work and medical costs
- Provider Performance Project. This project aims to identify successful provider performance initiatives and data essential to monitor that performance.
- Australian Physiotherapy Association fees. This project is addressing the need for consistency amongst the jurisdictions when dealing with the APA. Fee methodology, peer review and use of treatment plans are being investigated.
Other agenda items of the HWCA include:
- The proposed development of an Australian impairment guide suitable for undertaking medico-legal assessments of impairment in a range of different Australian jurisdictions.
- The development of an HWCA Internet page and revision of the HWCA Charter and forward plan.
- The HWCA have initiated a publication, Comparison of Workers' Compensation Arrangements in Australian Jurisdictions, which serves as a useful reference on the scheme design in the various jurisdictions. The Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) updates this comparison twice yearly and it is now accessible via the VWA and HWCA Internet sites by clicking on the link above.
- Examination of the implications of the Federal Government's Taxation Reform on aspects of workers compensation schemes.
- The HWCA is monitoring developments on the Commonwealth Government's Reform of Welfare Policy in Australia. A response to the Welfare Reform Discussion Paper was developed and submitted to the Reference Group on Welfare Reform to facilitate ongoing consultation with the HWCA on this issue. Preliminary HWCA Submission to the Commonwealth Reference Group on Welfare Reform and Attachment 1 to HWCA Submission on Welfare Reform.
The HWCA is focussing its attention on addressing any identified customer concerns and introducing or supporting initiatives that will benefit workers' compensation stakeholders.