SIRA announces performance audit of the Nominal Insurer

31 October 2022

SIRA has this month commenced a series of quarterly performance audits of the Nominal Insurer (managed by icare).

The first audit will assess the management of claims and return to work activities within the first four weeks, with a particular focus on the application of Standards of Practice 12 (Injury Management), 33 (Managing psychological injury claims) and 34 (Return to work – early intervention).

Up to 50 recent claims with a significant injury, consisting of 35 physical injury claims and 15 psychological injury claims, will be reviewed.

SIRA will also interview a small sample of the relevant frontline case managers to determine their understanding and application of legislation, guidelines, and Standards of Practice.

The audits are a response to SIRA’s concerns about the performance of the Nominal Insurer and the time it is taking for case management improvement initiatives to be implemented.

SIRA had previously agreed to delay scheduled audits to allow time for icare to implement its Nominal Insurer Improvement Plan.

Future quarterly audits will look at various aspects of icare improvement plans, including delivering insights into icare’s progress against the Nominal Insurer Improvement Plan and the effectiveness and impact of remedial efforts on case management practices.

SIRA is conducting the audit in accordance with section 202A of the Workers Compensation Act 1987.

SIRA will publish the results of each quarterly audit once it has been completed.