SIRA Bulletin - Issue 57

20 December 2023

Welcome to the latest issue of the SIRA Bulletin

This year at SIRA, we’ve worked to ensure the three insurance schemes we regulate are trusted and support the people who need them. We’ve made positive progress in implementing the SIRA2025 strategy.

Some of our 2023 achievements include implementing the Value-Based Healthcare Outcomes Framework, establishing a Trauma Support Service under the CTP scheme and clawing back excess insurer profit under the transitional excess profit and losses (TEPL) mechanism. We are proud of our achievements during 2023 at SIRA and I encourage you to read our 2022-23 Annual Report.

We recently published the Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services). These guidelines detail SIRA’s expectations of health-related service providers in personal injury schemes with the aim of creating positive health outcomes for injured people.

I wish everyone a relaxing holiday break. Our Christmas closedown period is 25 December 2023 – 5 January 2024. I look forward to seeing what our dedicated team at SIRA can achieve during 2024 to deliver better outcomes for the 8 million people we protect through a SIRA regulated scheme.

Adam Dent
Chief Executive

SIRA's new Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services)

The Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services) set out SIRA’s service and billing expectations for health-related service providers in the workers compensation and CTP schemes.

SIRA claws back $183.1 million in excess insurer profit

SIRA claws back $183.1 million in excess profit from Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurers, after activating the transitional excess profit and losses (TEPL) mechanism in the 2023 TEPL assessment cycle.

SIRA publishes register of directed health service providers

SIRA has issued a direction on health service provider, Mr David Kaye (aka Ali Davut Sarikaya) in accordance with the legislative powers introduced by the State Insurance and Care Governance Amendment Regulation 2022.

Special licence conditions imposed on Star Entertainment Group Ltd workers compensation self-insurer licence

SIRA has imposed special licence conditions on the Star Entertainment Group Ltd (the Star) workers compensation self-insurer licence. The conditions were imposed due to SIRA’s concerns about the performance of the Star’s self-insured workers compensation claims management.

CTP Scheme Report to 30 June 2023

This report provides insights into how the 2017 NSW CTP scheme is performing against the objectives in the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (MAI Act).

SIRA’s Annual Report 2022-23 is now available

The report highlights SIRA’s achievements for the financial year 2022-23 including our new Trauma Support Service and the re-platformed Home Building Compensation Check.

Update to the AMA List of Medical Services and Fees (AMA Fees List) 1 November 2023

On 1 November 2023 the Australian Medical Association (AMA) released the annual update to the AMA Fees List. This update includes an annual fee increase based on indexation set by the AMA.

Motor Accident Guidelines Version 9.2 - commencement on 10 November 2023

Version 9.2 of the Motor Accident Guidelines commenced on 10 November 2023. A summary of changes is available on the website.

CTP Insurer Claims Experience and Customer Feedback Comparison September 2023

SIRA provides information on how insurers perform to help people make meaningful comparisons between insurers when purchasing their Green Slip. The report analyses data from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.

HBC Key performance measures - claims June 2023

SIRA has established key performance indicators to measure and publicly report on icare's performance in resolving eligibility issues and finalising claims in a timely manner.

Tender open for Workplace Rehabilitation Provider Evaluation

We are seeking a provider to evaluate Workplace Rehabilitation Providers. Submissions close 15 February 2024.

The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2023 passed the NSW Parliament on 18 October 2023 and was assented to on 30 October 2023

The Statute Law Revision program maintains the quality of the New South Wales statute book by allowing minor amendments, repeal of obsolete or unnecessary Acts and the making of minor policy changes. The Act repealed two spent Acts in the NSW workers compensation scheme - the Associated General Contractors Insurance Company Limited Act 1980 and the Bishopsgate Insurance Australia Limited Act 1983. It also repealed the Workers Compensation Amendment Act 2015.

Wishing you a safe and joyful season. Our Christmas lockdown period will be from 25 December 2023 to 5 January 2024.

Subscribe to the SIRA Bulletin.