Under the Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, employers must provide workers with the workers compensation insurance. What's more, this insurance must come from the approved (by the local and federal Government) insurer. The exceptions are subcontractors who provide ABN number in writing. These staff members are not regular employees but private businesses responsible for their own workers compensation insurance. Every Australian State is governed by slightly different rules. However, the bulk of the workers compensation insurance polices is generally the same.
Workers (eligible for the workers compensation insurance) can claim compensation for:
In most cases, injured or sick workers must submit official claim forms to launch compensation proceedings.
The cost of workers compensation insurance is based on the:
There are also less significant price determinants, which arise from the detailed description of the business (safety rails, vicinity to busy roads, etc). We do not have data for Australian premiums paid on behalf of the workers. However, in USA some States allow premiums as low as $1 per $100 of worker's earnings. The lower premiums cost less. However, in this case the employer can be forced to pay the difference between the maximum payout and the available pool money (in the case of expensive claims).
There are few approved and reputable workers compensation insurers. However, CGU (in Australia) is probably the most reliable. CGU, due to its television campaign, became a bit pricy insurer. However, the policy options are comprehensive and suit most businesses. You can also check OAMPS insurance brokers. They offer multiple insurances, including the workers compensation insurance.
Once the workers compensation is granted, there are rules by which both the employer and employee must abide.
Firstly, all injuries have to be notified to the supervisor as soon as possible.
The employer is then responsible to record the injury in the Register of Injuries.
Most workers compensation insurance providers insist, that they are also notified within 48 hours of the incident.
The injured employee can decide which doctor he/she chooses. Some insurers also allow workers to choose their own physio.
Once, the injuried worker recovers, the employers must setup the return-to-work-process.
Both employers and employees must participate in this program.