Opportunity to Comment
Worksafe Tasmania has proposed a raft of amendments to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 under the Tasmanian Government’s Red Tape Reduction program.
Submissions on the possible amendments close on 14 October 2015 and the submission form can be obtained at http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/laws/wrc-act-amendments.
The proposed amendments are not intended to affect the benefits currently available to injured workers under the Act.
In particular, the proposal deals with the following major issues:
- The requirements for an insurer to operate: currently there is a regulatory process and it is proposed that either an APRA approved insurer be permitted to insure or that a clearer or simpler process to the current one be adopted.
- Either the removal of the employer’s excess, or to increase it to a more substantial level.
- A proposal to remove the ability to self-insure or a clearer or simpler process for approval to do so.
- Changes to the need for, or method and duration for, accreditation as a medical practitioner/impairment assessor or workplace rehabilitation provider.
- Changes to the need for, or method and duration for, injury management programs and return to work and injury management plans.
- Remove the need for return to work coordinators for employers with more than 50 workers.
- Removal, or amendment, of the circumstances in which there is a need for an employer to advise a worker of the right to make a claim for compensation.
- Allow medical practitioners to certify incapacity greater than 14 days without reason for the length of certification.
- Amend the list of deemed work related disease to take into account up to date research.
- Changes to absorb the Nominal Insurer into Government.
Page Seager urges all those in the industry to carefully consider how the amendments might affect them and to make appropriate submissions.
If you have any questions about any of the points raised in this article, please contact:
Mat Wilkins
Principal
M: 0419 106 417
E: mwilkins@pageseager.com.au
