Inspectors

Why an inspector may visit

An inspector may visit a workplace for a variety of reasons:

• There's a current or recent workers compensation claim.
• SIRA identifies that there is a higher risk of a poor return to work outcome.
• SIRA has information or receives a complaint that an employer may not be meeting their workers compensation or injury management obligations.
• In collaboration with other regulators.
• As part of self-insurer licence applications.
• Other identified priority projects such as targeting specific locations or industries.

Notice of visit

An inspector may enter a workplace at any reasonable time. The inspector will notify the employer of their arrival and produce their inspector’s identity card.

Inspectors may contact the employer before the visit to arrange a time, although there's no legal requirement to provide advance notice.

What to expect when an inspector visits

The inspector can provide advice to help you meet your workers compensation and recovery through work obligations. They may also:

• request to view a certificate of currency for your workers compensation policy
• review your return to work program
• review the register of injuries
• ensure the ‘If you get injured at work’ poster is displayed
• request other documents or records and take copies or extracts
• request evidence that the employer has a return to work coordinator with relevant skills, experience and training (for Category 1 employers)
• request information relating to any workers compensation claims
• review if suitable employment is being provided to an injured worker (they may also request to talk to the injured worker)
• speak to workers
• ensure any compensation monies are passed onto workers as soon as possible.

Compliance action

If an inspector believes that an employer is not meeting their obligations they will take action, which may include:

• issuing an improvement notice (which specifies how to comply and the date to comply by)
• issuing a penalty notice.

When deciding on what action to take, the inspector will take into account the nature and circumstances of the alleged contravention.

Further investigation may happen to determine if the matter warrants prosecution or other enforcement action.

Key employer obligations and penalties

Understand key employer obligations for workers compensation and workplace injury management and the penalities for failing to meet them.

Find out more

What an inspector will not do

An inspector will not:

• mediate between parties, take sides or provide legal advice
• review or make decisions about treatment issues or disputes
• review or make decisions about weekly payments, claim liability or work capacity
• investigate or make decisions regarding industrial relations disputes, such as termination or performance management.

Review of an inspector's decision

Some decisions made by an inspector can be reviewed.

A penalty notice can be reviewed by contacting Revenue NSW.

For any other review you should first speak with the inspector and they can explain the decision in more detail and any available review process.Alternatively, for matters relating to workers compensation legislation you can contact SIRA by emailing contact@sira.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 74 72.

Personal information

Inspectors may collect personal information while performing their role.

Information about how SIRA handles your personal information, how you can request to access or correct the personal information held about you, and who to contact if you have an enquiry or complaint is available in SIRA's Privacy Management Plan.