SIRA bulletin - Issue 24
Statutory review of the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017
Clayton Utz and Deloitte have been commissioned to conduct the scheduled statutory review of the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (2017 Act) for the Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service, the Hon. Victor Dominello.
The review will assess whether the policy objectives of the 2017 Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act (and those regulations and guidelines) remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
The review is to consider all aspects of the scheme established by the 2017 Act, including the following matters:
- the effectiveness of the scheme ensuring insurers are receiving a fair but not excessive profit margin
- the general performance of insurers in the scheme
- the timeliness of the provision of benefits to injured persons
- the proportion of each dollar of premiums collected that directly benefits injured persons
- whether further changes are needed to the scheme.
A discussion paper will be published on the SIRA website soon. Injured people, organisations and members of the public are invited to have their say. Learn more.
Consultation extended on proposed changes to workers compensation surgical and medical practitioner fees
SIRA has extended its consultation on proposed changes to workers compensation surgical and medical practitioner fees until 30 September 2021.
The Hon. Robert McDougall QC recently published his report on the Independent Review of icare, the workers compensation scheme, and the five-year statutory review of the State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015.
Mr McDougall considered the complex issues facing the workers compensation system, including rising healthcare costs and high medical fees. Recommendations 35 and 36 of his report relate to SIRA developing an accelerated plan for implementation of the findings of its Healthcare review and addressing medical fees rates in consultation with stakeholders.
Extending the consultation on proposed changes to workers compensation surgical and medical practitioner fees until 30 September 2021 is in-line with Mr McDougall’s recommendations. It is also consistent with SIRA’s commitment to continue working constructively with all stakeholders on action arising from its Healthcare review.
The extended consultation will enable SIRA to engage with medical groups on matters such as the implementation of value-based care, reducing the administrative burden and improving access to treatment in non-metropolitan areas.
Find more information about the changes and how you can provide feedback on the SIRA website.
Update: Consultation on regulatory requirements for workplace rehabilitation service providers
In October 2020, SIRA undertook consultation on the NSW policy framework that underpins the approval, engagement and performance of workplace rehabilitation providers.
A summary of the consultation on regulatory requirements for workplace rehabilitation service providers is now available on the SIRA website, together with copies of non-confidential stakeholder submissions.
The consultation is informing development of a new workplace rehabilitation provider framework.
Closing soon: Consultation on injury insurance arrangements for gig economy food delivery riders
The SIRA consultation on injury insurance arrangements for gig economy food delivery riders closes on Friday 28 May 2021.
Earlier this year, the NSW Government asked SIRA to lead a public consultation on potential personal injury insurance arrangements for food delivery riders in the gig economy. The feedback received will inform SIRA’s advice to the NSW Government.
Submissions are due by 5.00 pm on Friday 28 May 2021. Learn more about the consultation and have your say now.
Personal Injury Commission portal updated
The Personal Injury Commission (the Commission) has updated its online Motor Accident Dispute portal for injured persons, insurers, and legal representatives.
The updates include:
- automated email notifications include the claimant’s name and representative references, to help parties more easily identify the claimant a notification is referring to
- a Schedule of Earnings template for merit review disputes
- cosmetic changes to all portals to replace references to Dispute Resolution Services and SIRA with the Personal Injury Commission.
The Commission portals are now separate to the previously used SIRA portals and you can access the portals via the Applying online page on the Commission website.
Subscribe to the Personal Injury Commission bulletin to keep informed.
SIRA research fellowship in the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research
A new SIRA-funded research fellowship position has been created in the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research (JWCRR).
The creation of the position is a continuation of SIRA’s well-established research partnership with JWCRR and will help to fast track a variety of research and knowledge translation activities for the benefit of injured people in the personal injury schemes.
Christopher Papic, a PHD student at the Faculty of Medicine and Health in the University of Sydney, has been appointed to the role and will work closely with SIRA on academic-led research, the translation of knowledge into teaching, policy and clinical practice, the development of clinical guidelines and systematic reviews.
Work has recently commenced to review and update existing guidelines for the management of chronic and acute whiplash associated disorders.
SIRA will provide further updates on this project and opportunities to be involved over the coming months.
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