Current developments
and initiatives in the
Comcare scheme
Jennifer Taylor
Comcare CEO
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Overview
• Integrated safety, rehabilitation and compensation
system
• SRC Act – rehabilitation and workers’ compensation
• WHS Act – national work health and safety regulator
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Comcare Scheme
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Diverse risk and occupations
• Defence, law enforcement, border protection
• Scientific, medical and research
• Maritime and aviation
• Telecommunications
• Road and rail transport
• Construction and manufacturing
• Banking and financial
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Coverage
SRC Act
376,000 Federal and ACT Government employees
161,000 workers from 33 licensed self-insurers
WHS Act
Over 400,000 workers
Includes 62,000 ADF
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Regulatory
approach
Risk-based
Working with employers
Decisive enforcement
National response
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Regulator Performance Framework
• Knowledge base
• Consultation and engagement
• Coordinated inspections
• Monitoring and enforcement
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Return to Work Rates
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Claims – premium payers
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Recovery at work is vital
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Can vs Can’t
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Legislative change
SRC Act Amendment Bills
• Eligibility for compensation and self-insurer
arrangements
• Modernising the SRC Act to emphasise the
vocational (rather than medical) nature of
rehabilitation services and improve return to
work outcomes under the scheme
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What’s next?
• Healthy and safe workplaces
• Higher return to work rates
• Lower premiums and liabilities
• Reducing administration costs