SIRA bulletin - Issue 50
3 November 2022
SIRA launches new inspectorate focused on workers compensation return to work performance
SIRA has established a team of inspectors dedicated to improving employer compliance with injury management and return to work obligations.
The team of inspectors are targeting NSW employers through a range of compliance, enforcement and advisory efforts to ensure employers are meeting their obligations to support their workers to recover or return to work after an injury.
SIRA Chief Executive Adam Dent said that inspectors are targeting NSW workplaces based on a combination of workers compensation claims data and complaints.
“An inspector may visit a workplace for a variety of reasons, including if there’s a current or recent workers compensation claim, if SIRA identifies that a worker has a higher risk of a poor return to work outcome, or if SIRA has information that the employer may not be meeting its obligations,” Mr Dent said.
“Our inspectors are educating employers in how to support workers to return to work after an injury, as well as issuing improvement and penalty notices where employer practices are not up to standard.”
SIRA announces performance audit of the Nominal Insurer
SIRA has commenced a series of quarterly performance audits of the Nominal Insurer (managed by icare), with the first audit assessing the management of claims and return to work activities within the first four weeks).
Consultation on amendments to the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016
SIRA is seeking feedback on proposed amendments that provide a formula for calculating additional compensation to cover costs associated with the NSW Trustee and Guardian managing a dependent child’s lump sum death benefit.
Quarterly regulatory update now available
A summary of regulatory activity in the motor accidents, workers compensation and home building compensation schemes for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022 has been published on the SIRA website.
Submissions to Home Building Compensation reform consultation are published
SIRA has published 106 submissions to the Home Building Compensation reform consultation, which proposed a range of reform ideas to redesign how the scheme is regulated and operated.
Preventing workplace sexual harassment in Australia
The Australian Human Rights Commission and Respect@Work Council have launched a new website that will help workplaces prevent and respond to sexual harassment and create a work culture that is safe, respectful, and equal for everyone, regardless of their gender.
Register for the annual John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research forum
The virtual forum on ‘Co-Creation in Rehabilitation: Expanding the boundaries for researchers, clinicians and consumers’ on 4 November 2022 will showcase a range of SIRA-funded projects on topics such as whiplash, spinal cord injury, consumer engagement in rehabilitation research, and traumatic brain injury.
Peter’s story of mental health recovery at work
A NSW Fire and Rescue worker shares his experience of his mental health recovery in the workplace and how reaching out to support a colleague can make a big difference.
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