The Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (HWCA) have endorsed a principles-based framework for the delivery of workplace rehabilitation provider services.
These principles have been developed to support Workplace Rehabilitation Providers in the delivery of services to workers with a compensable injury. HWCA is a signatory organisation to the ‘Realising the Health Benefits of Good Work Consensus Statement’. There is an important relationship between health and work. The Principles for Practice for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers recognise the importance of work in recovery and are intended to:
- guide Workplace Rehabilitation Providers in delivering workplace rehabilitation services to a worker
- inform the Workplace Rehabilitation Provider approval and management frameworks of workers’ compensation authorities
- support the vision of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030
- complement the Clinical Framework for the delivery of treatment services
Please contact your jurisdiction for further information, including the commencement date of any revised process. The following table outlines the expiry date for current frameworks and contact details.
| Jurisdiction | Expiry date of current framework | Contact Details |
| Comcare | 30 June 2020 | Approval.Rehab@comcare.gov.au |
| Northern Territory | 30 June 2020 | datantworksafe.doj@nt.gov.au |
| ACT Private Workers Compensation Scheme | 30 June 2020 | WorkersCompensation@act.gov.au |
| SIRA (NSW) | 30 June 2021 | Compliance.info@sira.nsw.gov.au |
| WA | 30 June 2020 | records@workcover.wa.gov.au |
| VIC | 30 June 2021 | occupational_rehab@worksafe.vic.gov.au |
| Queensland | Not applicable | Tim.Meadows@workcoverqld.com.au |
| TAS | 30 June 2020 | Damian.Davidson@justice.tas.gov.au |
| SA | Not applicable | info@RTWSA.com |
Consultation on a principles-based framework
The Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities (HWCA) invite you to participate in the consultation on the draft Principles for Practice for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers. These principles have been developed with the purpose of supporting Workplace Rehabilitation Providers in the delivery of services to individuals with a compensable injury.
The draft Principles for Practice for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers recognise the importance of work in recovery and are intended to:
- guide Workplace Rehabilitation Providers in delivering workplace rehabilitation services to a worker
- inform the Workplace Rehabilitation Provider management frameworks of workers’ compensation authorities
- assist employers and insurer’s when purchasing the services of a WRP
- complement the Clinical Framework for the delivery of treatment services
How to provide feedback
Written feedback can be made to HWCA at: hwca@comcare.gov.au.
The closing date for submissions is 10 July 2019.
Please direct all queries about the consultation to the HWCA secretariat at hwca@comcare.gov.au.
Update on the Review
In October and December 2018, HWCA members met to discuss the submissions and next steps for the review of the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (NCAF) and agreed to replace the NCAF with a principles-based framework for the delivery of workplace rehabilitation provider services.
A working group of representatives from each jurisdiction has been established to progress this new framework.
The draft framework will be provided for industry wide consultation. This is expected to take place by mid-2019.
The current NCAF continues to be in place pending the outcome of this work and for relevant jurisdictions the current three-year approval of WRPs has been extended for a further 12 months through to June 2020.
Please direct all queries to hwca@comcare.gov.au
2018 Review
HWCA’s Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (NCAF) has been in place since 2010.
Since then, there have been significant changes in the economy and the working environment, as well as legislative change across workers’ compensation jurisdictions and changes in the workplace rehabilitation sector.
In light of this, HWCA is undertaking a first principles review of the NCAF.
To commence the review process, HWCA has developed a discussion paper which seeks views about the scope and application of the NCAF, with a particular focus on:
- Examining the demand and appetite for national consistency and mutual recognition of workplace rehabilitation providers;
- Considering whether the NCAF is fit for purpose and whether there are other regulatory and non-regulatory options; and
- Examining the effectiveness of the NCAF in approving suitably qualified and competent providers, safeguarding standards and providing quality assurance in the provision of workplace rehabilitation.
Stakeholders may wish to refer to the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
Making a Submission to the Review – SUBMISSIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED
HWCA is seeking written submissions from stakeholders.
The discussion paper sets out focus questions that stakeholders may wish to comment on. Stakeholders may also wish to comment on additional matters that are relevant to the scope of the review.
HWCA encourages stakeholders to refer to the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers and its application when developing their response.
Closing Date for Submissions
Written submissions can be made to HWCA at hwca@comcare.gov.au
The closing date for submissions is Friday 17 August 2018
Queries
Please direct all queries to hwca@comcare.gov.au
CURRENT NATIONALLY CONSISTENT APPROVAL FRAMEWORK FOR WORKPLACE REHABILITATION PROVIDERS
PLEASE NOTE: HWCA DOES NOT PROCESS APPLICATIONS – ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DESIRED WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AUTHORITY.
Background
The purpose of the nationally consistent approval framework is to:
- Provide a robust approval system across the participating workers’ compensation jurisdictions.
- Enable the objective measurement of provider performance against the Conditions of Approval outlined in the framework.
- Establish standards designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.
The following jurisdictions have adopted HWCA’s Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers:
| ACT | COM | NSW | NZ | NT | QLD | VIC | SA | TAS | WA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
Becoming an Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Provider
The Conditions of Approval and the application process are outlined in the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers and the Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider form. (Note: if you are having trouble viewing this form, please right-click the link, save the PDF to your computer and open it in Adobe reader).
In summary, an organisation wishing to be approved as a provider:
- applies to the desired workers compensation authority. The application outlines how the organisation will meet the Conditions of Approval. If the application is approved, the provider is granted a three year Instrument of Approval.
- after the first 12 months of approval the provider may be required to undergo an independent evaluation at the discretion of the workers compensation authority.
- during the three years of approval, the provider must complete annual self-evaluations and may be required to undergo a periodic evaluation and/or exception evaluation by an independent evaluator, initiated at the discretion of the authority.
- if the provider seeks to renew their Instrument of Approval, they are required to submit a renewal application to the workers compensation authorities from whom the renewal is sought prior to the expiration of the three year approval period.
- an application must include a signed Statement of Commitment to the Conditions of Approval and a Statement of Commitment to the Code of Conduct for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.
Applicants should refer to the websites of the workers’ compensation jurisdictions for information about specific jurisdictional application requirements including application fees.
For renewals please refer to: Application Renewal for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider Form
For evaluation, please refer to Workplace Rehabilitation Providers Evaluation Manual and the Evaluation Tool
Applicants should refer to the websites of the workers’ compensation jurisdictions for information about specific jurisdictional application requirements including application fees.