To simplify and clarify responsibilities in system oversight, this option removes WIRO’s function under s27(c) of the to report Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 to the Minister on the operation of the Workers Compensation Acts, or for the Minister to ask WIRO to report, as this function has not been used to date. This is a legislative clarification to reflect current practice and clarify responsibilities. It is also unusual for a body with service delivery functions in a scheme to also hold a quasi-ombudsman oversight role in relation to that scheme. This change seeks to remove that potential conflict of interest. Another option might be to amend the legislation to allow the Minister to ask the Scheme Regulator, the Secretary of DFSI or an independent person to inquire into and report on the operation of the Workers Compensations Acts as required. In Option 2 (and Option 3 the portal proposed in Option 1 could potentially be augmented by further technology developments such as providing parties with access to online dispute resolution tools, and possibly the use of data analytics to enable the triaging of matters into appropriate dispute resolution streams. This would expedite the dispute management process, leading to an improved experience for claimants. Option 3 - one stop shop, with increased CTP consistency Dispute management and Model Claimant support Legal support System oversight resolution One stop shop for formal dispute resolution, with An expanded model More targeted greater process and for claimant support, ILARS managed by SIRA, L&J One stop shop, technology improvements delivered by SIRA, SIRA moving to Committee, with increased (delivered by WCC) including proactive consistency with NSW supported by a single, CTP consistency support for complex CTP approach over Ombudsman centralised online portal claims time bringing together all scheme bodies. Option 3 takes a step further from Option 2 by moving all of WIRO’s claimant support and legal support services to SIRA. The main benefit of this model is consistency and resource efficiency, as SIRA is already delivering claimant support for workers compensation, and legal support would be transitioned to the same approach for CTP. Integration of claimant and legal support within SIRA is also likely to improve data collection and information flows within the system, and enable SIRA to
To simplify and clarify responsibilities in system oversight, this option removes WIRO’s function under s27(c) of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 to report to the Minister on the operation of the Workers Compensation Acts, or for the Minister to ask WIRO to report, as this function has not been used to date. This is a legislative clarification to reflect current practice and clarify responsibilities. It is also unusual for a body with service delivery functions in a scheme to also hold a quasi-ombudsman oversight role in relation to that scheme. This change seeks to remove that potential conflict of interest. Another option might be to amend the legislation to allow the Minister to ask the Scheme Regulator, the Secretary of DFSI or an independent person to inquire into and report on the operation of the Workers Compensations Acts as required. In Option 2 (and Option 3 the portal proposed in Option 1 could potentially be augmented by further technology developments such as providing parties with access to online dispute resolution tools, and possibly the use of data analytics to enable the triaging of matters into appropriate dispute resolution streams. This would expedite the dispute management process, leading to an improved experience for claimants. Option 3 - one stop shop, with increased CTP consistency Model Claimant support Legal support Dispute management and resolution System oversight One stop shop, with increased CTP consistency An expanded model for claimant support, delivered by SIRA, including proactive support for complex claims More targeted ILARS managed by SIRA moving to consistency with CTP approach over time One stop shop for formal dispute resolution, with greater process and technology improvements (delivered by WCC) supported by a single, centralised online portal bringing together all scheme bodies. SIRA, L&J Committee, NSW Ombudsman Option 3 takes a step further from Option 2 by moving all of WIRO’s claimant support and legal support services to SIRA. The main benefit of this model is consistency and resource efficiency, as SIRA is already delivering claimant support for workers compensation, and legal support would be transitioned to the same approach for CTP. Integration of claimant and legal support within SIRA is also likely to improve data collection and information flows within the system, and enable SIRA to
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