Current developments

and initiatives in the

Comcare scheme

Jennifer Taylor

Comcare CEO

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Overview

• Integrated safety, rehabilitation and compensation

system

• SRC Act – rehabilitation and workers’ compensation

• WHS Act – national work health and safety regulator

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Comcare Scheme

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Diverse risk and occupations

• Defence, law enforcement, border protection

• Scientific, medical and research

• Maritime and aviation

• Telecommunications

• Road and rail transport

• Construction and manufacturing

• Banking and financial

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Coverage

SRC Act

376,000 Federal and ACT Government employees

161,000 workers from 33 licensed self-insurers

WHS Act

Over 400,000 workers

Includes 62,000 ADF

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Regulatory

approach

Risk-based

Working with employers

Decisive enforcement

National response

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Regulator Performance Framework

• Knowledge base

• Consultation and engagement

• Coordinated inspections

• Monitoring and enforcement

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Return to Work Rates

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Claims – premium payers

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Recovery at work is vital

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Can vs Can’t

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Legislative change

SRC Act Amendment Bills

• Eligibility for compensation and self-insurer

arrangements

• Modernising the SRC Act to emphasise the

vocational (rather than medical) nature of

rehabilitation services and improve return to

work outcomes under the scheme

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What’s next?

• Healthy and safe workplaces

• Higher return to work rates

• Lower premiums and liabilities

• Reducing administration costs