SIRA bulletin - Issue 49
20 October 2022
Understanding and responding to psychological injury in the NSW workers compensation scheme
By SIRA Chief Executive Adam Dent
I recently had the privilege of appearing before the Standing Committee on Law and Justice 2022 Review of the Workers Compensation scheme hearing focused on the increase in psychological injury claims.
Today, around 11 per cent of all active NSW workers compensation claims relate to a psychological injury, compared with six per cent a decade ago.
People that suffer a psychological injury are less likely to return to work and more likely to experience an adversarial claims journey.
While much of the public discourse has focused on the growth in these claims, the interface between the workers compensation system and mental health is far more complex than that.
Update on COVID-19 claims in the workers compensation system
This article presents a summary of the volume, performance and cost of COVID-19 claims in the NSW workers compensation system from 2019/20 to 2021/22.
Sydney man sentenced for workers compensation fraud
Mr Luis Manuel Farinha Alves will serve nine months in home detention and was ordered to repay $170,000 to the NSW workers compensation system for money that he was not entitled to, plus $38,630 in legal costs.
Special licence conditions imposed on NRMA and QBE
SIRA has imposed special licence conditions on Insurance Australia Limited (trading as NRMA Insurance) and QBE Insurance (Australia) following an audit of claims management, specifically in relation to treatment and care.
The Motor Accident Guidelines: CTP Care has been published
The Guidelines set out the required procedures for the transition of the payment of statutory benefits for treatment and care from a licenced insurer to the CTP Care program administered by the Lifetime Care and Support Authority.
SIRA-funded Towards Zero Collaboration Hub is now live
The Towards Zero Collaboration Hub is a centralised platform to host road safety planning information and resources to support local councils and community organisations deliver long term focused road safety strategies.
Hear2Talk
October is mental health month and a time to promote better mental health for everyone. SIRA is proud to fund Hear2Talk – a free, confidential, and independent phone support line. Call 1300 428 255 to access the service.
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