Regulatory requirements for workplace rehabilitation service provision in NSW personal injury schemes

This consultation is seeking input from stakeholders on the NSW policy and framework underpinning the approval, engagement and performance of workplace rehabilitation providers.

  • The Issue

    Consultation period: 08/10/2020 9:00 am to 27/11/2020 5:00 pm

    What is it about?

    Consultation on workplace rehabilitation providers

    The purpose of this discussion paper is to seek input from stakeholders on the NSW policy and framework underpinning the approval, engagement and performance of workplace rehabilitation providers. The aim of the review is to inform the future workplace rehabilitation service provision and regulatory framework to achieve:

    • improved recovery and return to work performance for people in NSW personal injury schemes;
    • a value and outcome-based policy framework; and
    • a sustainable provider market, ensuring availability of services.

    For the purposes of this paper workplace rehabilitation (WR) refers to the breadth of services, supports and interventions designed to assist people with an injury or illness to achieve their recovery and return to work goals.

    Next steps:

    SIRA is seeking your feedback on the Regulatory requirements for workplace rehabilitation service provision in NSW personal injury schemes consultation by no later than 20 November 2020.

    Comments and feedback on this consultation should be submitted via this consultation portal or via email to [email protected]

    Any enquiries about the consultation process should be sent to [email protected].

    Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic all feedback is to be submitted using our online form.

  • Milestones

    8 October 2020 09:00  - the Consultation for workplace rehabilitation providers opened for public consultation

    20 November 2020 17:00  - Public consultation process closes. All comments and submissions must be received by this time.

    Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic all feedback is to be submitted using our online form.

  • Outcomes

    SIRA received 14 submissions, 9 of which have been published.

    Generally, the submissions supported the maintenance of a regulatory approval framework.

    The following themes were identified for the regulatory framework to include:

    • quality and access for workplace rehabilitation provision in both CTP and WC
    • a coordinated approach to improving and embedding best practice
    • broadening the scope of service to include prevocational services, mediation, coaching and capacity building
    • tailored intervention and expertise to improve services to people with a psychological injury, live in a rural and remote location or other vulnerable groups
    • timely referral to workplace rehabilitation services
    • ongoing training, education, and support to industry
    • SIRA to invest in further research and translation activities
    • better measurement of outcomes
    • holistic valued based performance framework
    • support for innovative service provision as well concern for risks of non-tested services
    • fee regulation.

    SIRA is considering the issues raised in the submissions.

    Next Steps

    All feedback received throughout the consultation period has been considered and is informing the development of a revised WRP policy framework.

    SIRA will shortly seek feedback on the draft WRP approval framework, with current planning for the new approval framework to be available by September 2021 and implementation effective from January 2022.

    Submissions are now available to view. For the extended consultation overview read Regulatory requirements for workplace rehabilitation providers.

    View the submissions here

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