Initiatives
Projects
The following working groups have been established under the HWCA Work Plan 2007-2009:
- Definition of a Worker Working Group - Cross-border Coverage of Expatriates
- HWCA Study Tours
- National Environmental Scanning Network
- National Research Network
- National Self Insurance Working Group
- Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
- provide a robust approval system across participating workers’ compensation authorities;
- enable the objective measurement of provider performance against the Conditions of Approval; and
- establish practice principles designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.
- provide a robust approval system across participating workers’ compensation authorities;
- enable the objective measurement of provider performance against the Conditions of Approval; and
- establish practice principles designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.
- DOWNLOAD Biopsychosocial Injury Management Position Paper
HWCA Jurisdictional Scan - April 2008
National Self-Insurance Harmonisation Projects
In June 2008, the Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (HWCA) endorsed the introduction of a Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers from 1st July 2010. Comcare, WorkSafe Victoria, WorkCover South Australia, WorkCover Western Australia, WorkCover Tasmania, WorkCover New South Wales, Northern Territory Workers Compensation and ACT Workers Compensation have adopted the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.
The Nationally Consistent Approval Framework is intended to:
For more information about the approval framework and process refer to the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.
The evaluation process and tools were detailed in a draft Evaluation Manual. Industry feedback was sought and the evaluation manual is now finalised. Feedback and the HWCA working group’s responses to the feedback can be found in the Consultation Feedback Document.
Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
Approved workplace rehabilitation providers are organisations approved by a workers compensation authority to offer specialised services to help injured workers to return to work. They have the qualifications, experience and expertise appropriate to provide services in accordance with the following definition based on NOHSC (1995) definition:
“Workplace rehabilitation is a managed process involving early intervention with appropriate, adequate and timely services based on assessed need, and which is aimed at maintaining injured or ill employees in, or returning them to, suitable employment.”
Becoming an Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Provider
Organisations seeking to be an approved workplace rehabilitation provider will submit an application to the jurisdiction in which approval is sought demonstrating how they will meet the Conditions of Approval. The Conditions of Approval and the application process is outlined in the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.
The application process is also detailed in the Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider form. (Applicants should refer to the websites of the workers’ compensation jurisdictions for information about specific jurisdictional application requirements).
If the application is approved, the provider is granted a three year Instrument of Approval.
Renewal of Approval
If the provider seeks to renew their Instrument of Approval they are required to submit a renewal application to the workers compensation authority in which renewal of approval is sought. The application is due 31st December before the year that their approval period is due to expire. The renewal application process is detailed in the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers and in the Renewal Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation form.
Application fees
Application fees will be charged and applicants should refer to the websites of the workers’ compensation jurisdictions for information about the applicable fees.
Evaluation of Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
As part of the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers, providers may be required to undergo a workers compensation authority initiated on-site evaluation. During their three years of approval the provider is also required to undertake annual self-evaluations.
The evaluation process and tools are detailed in the Workplace Rehabilitation Provider Evaluation Manual.
Return to work rates
The workers’ compensation jurisdictions have agreed to measure return to work for same and new employer separately and agreed to a 13-week durability of employment measure.
Each jurisdiction will initially set their own return to work rates however HWCA are committed to setting national return to work rates and durability measures as phase 2 of this initiative.
Implementation commitment
HWCA and the working group are committed to meeting the objectives of a Nationally Consistent Approval Framework. It is understood that issues may arise when adopting a single provider approval model and as such a review of the framework is therefore proposed 18 months after implementation and then every three years.
Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
The Nationally Consistent Approval Framework is intended to:
DOWNLOAD Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
Application for Approval
Organisations seeking to be an approved workplace rehabilitation provider will submit an application to the jurisdiction in which approval is sought demonstrating how they will meet the Conditions of Approval.
DOWNLOAD Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider form
Renewal of Approval
If the provider seeks to renew their Instrument of Approval they are required to submit a renewal application to the workers compensation authority in which renewal of approval is sought. The application is due 31st December before the year that their approval period is due to expire.
DOWNLOAD Application Renewal for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation form
Evaluation Manual
This Evaluation Manual builds on the information contained in the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers and provides workplace rehabilitation providers with guidance, information and tools to conduct self-evaluations and participate in evaluations initiated by the workers compensation authority. The Evaluation Manual must be used in conjunction with the Guide.
DOWNLOAD Workplace Rehabilitation Providers Evaluation Manual.
Statement of Agreement
The Statement of Agreement is a voluntary statement of intent and contains a commitment by the workers compensation authorities to the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers. However, nothing in this Agreement is legally or contractually binding, nor is it enforceable in any court, mediation or arbitration.
Note that the statement of agreement is still to be finalised.
Bio - Psychosocial Screening Working Group
This paper outlines the HWCA and HCTP position on a biopsychosocial approach to injury management. Also included are a harmonised glossary of relevant biopsychosocial terms and relevant risk assessment tools, both of which will be progressively updated.