Accreditation of Rehabilitation Providers
Adoption of the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
The WorkCover Tasmania Board (the Board) is responsible for the promotion and support of effective injury management of injured workers. Under section 77C of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, the Board is given the power to accredit medical practitioners or persons in relation to prescribed rehabilitation services.
The Board is currently considering various workplace rehabilitation services that will be prescribed and these services will be made publicly available the earliest opportunity.
The Board has made a recommendation to the Minister for Workplace Relations to support the adoption of the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.
The National Framework offers the following advantages:
- it has been developed with key stakeholders and national representative bodies
- it reinforces the importance of National Harmonisation
- benefits through consistency are derived both nationally and within the Tasmanian workers compensation scheme
- most of the developmental costs have been carried by the other jurisdictions; any deviation now would result in WorkCover needing to pick up additional costs
- a significant amount of the implementation infrastructure has already been prepared, therefore reducing the cost to Tasmania
- it does not have any provisions for grandfathering that will undermine the integrity of the National Framework
- it is sufficiently flexible to enable Tasmania to accommodate any specific requirements the Board may consider necessary
- it is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the requirements of the Board’s Return to Work and Injury Management Model
- many of the rehabilitation provider organisations operating in Tasmania will be applying to Comcare for accreditation. This will significantly reduce the number of assessments needed to be completed in Tasmania.
Under the National Framework, workplace rehabilitation provider organisations would apply to their home jurisdiction for initial approval by demonstrating their ability to meet organisation capability standards, return to work service model principles and mandatory qualifications.
Following approval, providers can then apply to each jurisdiction they wish to deliver services to. Other workers compensation authorities would recognise this status and ensure additional approval requirements are minimal.
Why isn’t Tasmania continuing to implement the Board’s Accreditation of Rehabilitation Providers Model?
The Board had previously developed its Accreditation of Rehabilitation Providers Model, which aimed to accredit individual rehabilitation providers who wished to provide the prescribed services under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.
At the same time, the Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities developed the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework. With the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to national harmonisation in both workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety the Minister for Workplace Relations asked the Board to look at options to incorporate elements of the National Framework into the Board’s model.
An assessment was undertaken of both models and areas of consistency were identified, but it was determined that deviating from the National Framework would add additional requirements, complexity, and potentially add unnecessary cost to the scheme for very little return.
Which workers compensation authorities are adopting the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework?
Comcare, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Western Australia have indicated they will be adopting the National Framework.
Refer to their websites for more detail.
When will the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework be Introduced?
Comcare, Victoria and New South Wales will be introducing the National Framework from 1 July 2010.
The Board is committed to the National Framework and, following confirmation by the Minister, believes it should be implemented in Tasmania at the earliest available opportunity.
Rehabilitation Advisory Committee
As part of the implementation of the National Framework the Board will establish a Rehabilitation Advisory Committee. The Committee, through the Board, will:
- oversee the implementation and monitoring of the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
- review, analyse, evaluate and advise the Board about the approval of workplace rehabilitation provider organisations, including the extent, scope and effectiveness of the approval arrangements
- where the Board determines, conduct (or cause to be conducted) regular audits of approved rehabilitation providers as provided for under the approval arrangements
- where the Board determines, conduct reviews and/or analysis of the effectiveness of workplace rehabilitation services and consumer satisfaction about the functions performed, services provided and return to work outcomes achieved
- make proposals concerning any amendments that may be necessary to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
- carry out any other function required by the Board.
What’s next?
In preparation for the introduction of the National Framework, an implementation plan is in the process of being developed. This will clearly define the work necessary to integrate the National Framework into the Tasmanian Workers Compensation Scheme.
In the meantime, organisations should refer to the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers on the Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities’ website for more information.
