Initiatives


Projects

Transitional arrangements for introducing the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework

1. A completed application will be submitted using the required template to the workers' compensation authority in the jurisdiction in which approval is sought. Applicants should refer to the appropriate website of the workers’ compensation jurisdiction to confirm the submission and application requirements. Applications will close 12 noon 31December 2009 and may be submitted from 9 November 2009.

2. Depending on the workers’ compensation jurisdiction’s requirements an applicant may submit an application to more than one jurisdiction although only one jurisdiction will have the responsibility to assess the application against the Conditions of Approval.

3. For the purpose of the transitional arrangements, the definition of 'home jurisdiction' as found in Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers will be used to determine which workers’ compensation jurisdiction is responsible for assessing the application.

Example: An organisation is registered in New South Wales for ABN purposes but does not intend to deliver services in NSW. The majority of services will be delivered in Victoria and some services in South Australia. Therefore they would ‘apply’ to both WorkSafe Victoria and South Australia. However WorkSafe Victoria as the ‘home jurisdiction’ will assess the application.

4. If the workers’ compensation jurisdiction assessing the application is satisfied that the application conforms to the Conditions of Approval then an Instrument of Approval is issued for a maximum period of 3 years. The successful applicant should forward the Instrument of Approval to other workers’ compensation jurisdictions in which approval is sought. These jurisdictions will then complete their approval process, which may include additional application requirements.

Transitional applications

Given the various legislative requirements, it is necessary for workers’ compensation jurisdictions to use different transitional arrangements and application forms. Comcare and NSW WorkCover will use the Renewal Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider form. The other jurisdictions will use the Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider form. Applicants should refer to the websites of the jurisdictions for any additional requirements.

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.

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.

Draft Evaluation Tool

This tool will be released for workplace rehabilitation provider industry comments before the end of this year and will detail:

Feedback from the workplace rehabilitation provider industry will be taken up to February 2010 in preparation for release of the final Evaluation Tool before July 2010.

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.