ACTPS workers' compensation news and announcements
Have your say on changes to workers' compensation laws
The Australian Government is reviewing the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) that underpins workers' compensation and work rehabilitation in the Comcare scheme, including for theACTPS.
If you’re currently receiving, or have recently received, worker's compensation or rehabilitation services the review team invites you to provide feedback about your experiences and ideas for improvements. The review team is also interested in hearing from managers of people who have received workers' compensation or work rehabilitation support and others involved in these processes.
For information about how to provide a submission or participate in a survey visit the Consultation Hub on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website. You can also subscribe to receive information and updates on the review. Participation in the review won’t affect your workers' compensation or work rehabilitation with the ACTPS.
Workers' Voice research study
Workers’ Voice is a research study that aims to re-imagine workers’ compensation in Australia. This 3-year study led by Monash University recognises that there is opportunity to improve the management and design of workers’ compensation systems so that they can better support workers to return to work following a workplace injury or disease. They’re inviting people who have made compensation claims and their family and friends to take part in this study with the aim to develop computer models of new systems based on lived experience.
For more information and to participate in a short survey visit the workers’ voice website.
Change to arrangements with EML
Our workers’ compensation claims manager EML has changed its name to EML Solutions following a restructure within the EML Group.
This change requires variations to our contract and self-insurance licence, but otherwise will have no impact on the services we receive from EML, claims application or management processes or case management arrangements for current and future workers’ compensation recipients.
The ACT Government will shortly update its contract with the EML Group to reflect the entity name change and request a variation to our self-insurance licence from the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission to reflect the new name. We anticipate that the commission will consider and decide on this request at their next meeting on 15 September 2023.
As this process progresses, it will be business as usual in working with EML. They will be implementing their new name in their business so we may see the usual things associated with this, such as case manager job titles, email addresses and the website, change to reflect the new name and structure.
This change does not affect any substantive rights or obligations under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act. We will continue to work with EML just as we have been and to refer to them as ‘EML’ in our workers’ compensation case management documents and information and communication material.
If you have questions or concerns talk to your Work Safety Group rehabilitation case manager or send an email to wsg@act.gov.au.
Emergency Service Workers and PTSD - Support for our First Responders
A streamlined workers' compensation claims process is in place for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to make it easier and faster to make a claim and start getting support. More information is in this Making a workers' compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder fact sheet.
Preliminary Treatment - Immediate medical assistance
ACTPS employees have access to medical and allied health treatment while waiting for a new claim to be processed. The gives access to immediate medical assistance for certain services recommended by your doctor in the period from when you make a claim until a decision is made. It means you can start your treatment straight away to support your recovery and return to work, without worrying about covering the costs. The costs are covered regardless of whether your claim is accepted or not.
The Getting treatment while making a claim fact sheet [PDF 161KB] has more information about preliminary treatment, including the types of treatment it covers and how to apply.
Have you injured yourself at work? The ACT Government is here to help you.
ACT Public Sector staff are covered for workers’ compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Commonwealth) which is administered by the ACT Government as a self-insurer. The ACT Government has entered into an agreement with Employers Mutual Limited (EML) which will provide claims administration services.
Rehabilitation and claims management systems - Commitment Statement [PDF 126KB].