Changes in workers' compensation are fast approaching, and all our members should be reviewing their internal processes to make sure they meet new legislative requirements come 1 July.
Over the past six months LGIS has provided members with information and resource to prepare for these changes. More than 250 local government workers have attended information sessions on the new Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act (WA) 2023.
Information session recording
If you want more information, or would like a refresh, on the changes and what they mean for your local government check out a recording of the webinar held on Friday, 7 June. We were joined by Rebecca Harris, General Manager Regulatory Services, WorkCover WA and Mark Civitella, Partner from Mills Okely.
· View the recording HERE.
· Read Mark Civitella's article in Risk Matters on the top five 'Things to know'
New claims process
LGIS needs the support of members to meet new legislative requirements – particularly the timeframes to make a liability decision. It's vital that all local government officers who are involved in workers' compensation claims are across the changes and what it means for how they manage claims and work with LGIS.
From 1 July, we will have 14 days to make a liability decision. It's important to note that the clock starts ticking on those 14 days when the member receives the claim NOT LGIS. We've put together a checklist and timeline to support members, you can download both at the links below:
Job dictionaries
To support your staff at every point of the employment journey LGIS has developed a range of job dictionaries. Job dictionaries can be used for:
- Pre-employment (functional capacity) assessments: Add a physical test component to job interviews and make sure that a candidate can complete the demands of the role. Job dictionaries clearly outline the physical and psychological requirements of the most common local government roles.
- Return to work adjustments: Job dictionaries are valuable tools for to support the return-to-work process for an injured worker. It clearly outlines the demands of the role so that medical advisors, allied health professionals and the employer can work together to make reasonable adjustments to support an injured workers return to work.
Want more information?
Over the coming months, LGIS will publish a range of articles and resources to support members. Talk to your LGIS WorkCare Claims Manager for more information and make sure you read:
New LGIS Workplace Rehabilitation Panel
In anticipation of the new act going live 1 July 2024, LGIS has created a Workplace Rehabilitation Panel. This is a significant change to LGIS' approach to injury management, return to work, and solutions to support our members.
We conducted a rigorous tender process to identify high performance rehabilitation providers. Members now have access to consistent, evidence-based, best practice return to work services across Western Australia.
Our new panel will go live on 1 July and consists of:
- Workfocus Australia
- Konekt
- Recovre
- Rehab Management
All panel providers will use standard report templates so that our members and workers will receive the same reporting standards. They will be held accountable to key performance indicators across financial outcomes, durations, customer service, and return to work outcomes.
Your LGIS Injury Management Advisor will provide you with panel profiles and staff that regularly travel to area inclusive of regional/remote areas. This ensures that we meet our requirements under the new Act for the worker to have their choice of provider.
In preparation, all panel providers have received in-depth training to improve their knowledge of LGIS, our members, and expectations going forward.
For further information regarding our new panel, please contact your LGIS Injury Management Advisor or alternatively email imconsultant@lgiswa.com.au