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Workers compensation regulation bulletin - Issue 65 (July 2019)

In this edition: Compliance and Performance Review of the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer, Return to work coordination e-learning, Indexed adjustments to workers compensation benefits, Nominate for SafeWork's recovery at work awards, Workers compensation insurer data reporting requirements issued, Notice of contributions to help workers with dust diseases, Updated information about workplace rehabilitation providers.

Compliance and Performance Review of the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer invites submissions until 5 July

The closing date to make a submission to the Compliance and Performance Review of the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer has been extended to 5 July 2019.

Return to work coordination e-learning now available

Our new return to work coordination e-learning is now available.

This free training is designed for return to work (RTW) coordinators and employers working in the NSW workers compensation system.

The training helps them to understand their role, the importance of recovery at work and how employers can meet their workers compensation obligations.

Large employers must appoint a RTW coordinator with the relevant training, skills and experience. This training assists RTW coordinators understand their role in supporting recovery at work.

New or existing RTW coordinators wanting up-to-date information about their requirements can complete the training.

Small employers should nominate a person to manage recovery at work. This training assists the nominated person when a work-related injury or illness.

Flexible learning

The interactive training meets a variety of learning styles through the use of illustrations, animations, quizzes and engaging content.

Users can complete the training in their own time and at their own pace, and they can re-visit and complete modules within the training at different times. A certificate can also be obtained for completion of each module.

The modules currently available are:

  • how to use this portal
  • the NSW workers compensation system
  • what employers need to know
  • understanding the role of the insurer
  • working with the support team
  • return to work program
  • tailoring a return to work program
  • recover at work planning
  • developing a recover at work plan.

More to come

Future modules will be released in the next few months which will provide additional information on understanding the claims process, worker entitlements, communication and what to do when things don’t go to plan.

Read more on the RTW coordinator training page, including how to get started.

Indexed adjustments to workers compensation benefits from 1 July 2019

The latest indexed adjustments to workers compensation benefits are now available and apply on and from 1 July 2019.

The adjustments were notified in the Workers Compensation (Indexation) Amendment Order 2019, which was published on the NSW Legislation website on 21 June 2019.

We have also updated our Workers compensation benefits guide July 2019 to provide all stakeholders with the latest details on the indexed adjustments.

Nominate for SafeWork's recovery at work awards by 7 July

Has an injured worker inspired you with their recovery? Or do you know an employer who deserves recognition for their recovery at work efforts? Nominate them in the recovery at work categories of the 2019 SafeWork Awards.

The ‘Recovery at work achievement award for injured workers’ recognises a worker's outstanding achievements in recovering after a workplace injury.

The ‘Excellence in recovery at work for business’ award recognises an employer or organisation’s outstanding contribution to safe and sustainable recovery at work solutions for injured workers.

Nominations close on 7 July and can be made via the SafeWork Awards website.

Workers compensation insurer data reporting requirements issued

The State Insurance Regulatory Authority has issued updated Workers Compensation Insurer Data Reporting Requirements.

The requirements came into effect from 31 May 2019.

They include:

  • Part 1: Claims technical manual
  • Part 2: Claims data item guidance specification
  • Part 3: Claims technical manual claims state and events reference
  • Part 4: Claims technical manual validations reference
  • Part 5: Claims technical manual code set reference
  • Part 6: Claims technical manual payment classification reference
  • Part 7: Claims technical manual payment classification and estimates reference

The Workers Compensation Insurer Data Reporting Requirements replace the:

  • the Claims technical manual nominal insurer V 4.14
  • the Claims technical manual self and specialised insurers V 5.10
  • the Payment classification booklet (published in 2013)
  • the Payment classification section within the old Claims technical manual nominal insurer V 4.14
  • the Payment classification section within the old Claims technical manual self and specialised insurers V 5.10.

We updated the requirements after consulting key stakeholders and considering feedback. Insurers were informed of the updated requirements via email on 31 May 2019.

If you have any questions about these requirements, they can be sent via email to [email protected]

Notice of contributions to help workers with dust diseases

We recently advised insurers how much they must pay to assist people affected by work-related dust diseases in the new financial year.

The Dust Diseases Contributions for 2019-2020 set out the contributions requirements for each insurer.

Insurers will place levies on workers compensation policies for certain employment classes to cover the cost of their contributions.

The 2019-2020 contributions, which are payable under the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942, will affect policies commencing 30 June 2019.

Updated information about workplace rehabilitation providers

We recently updated our brochure, What to expect from your workplace rehabilitation provider, for the information of workers and employers.

The brochure explains the role of a workplace rehabilitation provider, what services they provide, how they are engaged and how to obtain additional recover at work support.

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