The cost of Workplace Injury and Disease to the Australian economy is huge. With well-directed effort, employers can significantly reduce workers compensation costs.

In 2001, the estimated direct annual cost was $34.3 billion. Indirect costs were estimated at a further $48.5 billion, bringing the total to $82.8 billion. In 2008 terms, this is approximately $5000 per living Australian. Businesses fund about half of this through workers compensation. (ASCC).

The premium a business pays is directly related to how well it manages its people and processes (injury prevention) and how well injuries and claims are managed.

Effective claims management procedures can deliver major cost and productivity savings to your business.

Managing claims requires specific knowledge and experience, as interpretations, precedents and case law are important. Claims agents do not work for employers, but are contracted to work for WorkCover Authorities on behalf of Government. Risk Strategies works in partnership with employers and provides the expertise necessary to successfully manage claims and minimise impact on businesses.

Claims Administration:

With strict WorkSafe legislated time frames that must be adhered to, the administration of claims documentation can be a timely process.

Risk Strategies provides a competent and experienced claims administration service to ensure these time frames are always met and costly fines are avoided. Our services include:

  • Review and completion of required employer claim forms
  • Claim registration with insurer
  • Creation and maintenance of claims files
  • Claims file audits
  • Calculation of Entitlements and Payments
  • Reconciliation (Weekly Benefit Reimbursements)
  • WorkCover Certificates of Capacity
  • FOI and other legal information requests
  • Ensuring legislative requirements are met
  • Policy and Procedure documentation development

Early and appropriate response to an injury is extremely important for its effective management.

Over 50% of all compensation costs occur because of delayed or inadequate early injury management.

Risk Strategies assists employers to establish systems and accountabilities and provides training to ensure the systems work. Our services are specifically tailored to meet employer’s needs.

Employers have legal obligations as part of the return to work process.

Failing to adhere to these obligations could lead to penalties, fines and/or prosecution for employers.

Risk Strategies can assist employers to return their injured employees to work as soon as possible following injury or illness. We can help to manage injury recovery, maintain productivity, improve workforce morale and reduce claims costs and premiums.

Risk Strategies are experts in WorkCover entitlement calculations, payments and reimbursements.

We have developed advanced systems to help employers make correct payments to workers in a timely manner, and also receive their full reimbursement payments without losses.

An employer must start paying an injured worker within seven calendar days of their insurer notifying them in writing and must continue to make weekly payments to for as long as they receive valid WorkCover Certificates of Capacity.

Employers are entitled to a reimbursement from insurers payments that they have made directly to workers for wages and for eligible medical and like expenses over the employer excess.

There are two basic models of premium management in Australia, Privately underwritten and Government underwritten schemes.

Within them there are many permutations. In privately underwritten schemes, premiums are negotiated with insurers and a policy is taken out for an agreed period.

Government Underwritten:

  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Queensland
  • South Australia

 Privately Underwritten :

  • Western Australia
  • Northern Territory
  • Tasmania
  • ACT