Below is a list of definitions that might be useful:

Capped Wages Dispute Resolution Process External Rehabilitation Provider Injury Management Medical Practitioner Injury Management Coordinator Return to Work Program

RiskCover Specialist Vocational Rehabilitation Workers' Compensation Workers' Compensation Officer WorkCover WA

"Capped Wages" - preclude any injured employee, having time lost from work, from earning above a nominated gross salary per week (as at 1 July 2007, the amount is $1722.60) for the duration of the claim for workers' compensation. The amount is indexed annually and set by the State Government. If an injured employee has any time lost, they are initially placed on sick leave at their normal rate of pay. If the claim is subsequently approved they are placed onto workers' compensation at the capped rate. The injured employee may then be issued with a debit note for overpayment of salary. Back to top

"Dispute Resolution Process" - the dispute resolution system for workers' compensation claims deals with all workers' compensation disputes.  Disputes are heard by Arbitrators and can be referred to a Commissioner to hear appeals. Back to top

"External Rehabilitation Provider" - external rehabilitation providers are independent of the Department and are accredited by WorkCover WA. Vocational rehabilitation services can be utilised to assist an injured or ill employee return to work. An assessment is undertaken by the Department's workers' compensation officer or internal injury management coordinator in conjunction with the treating general practitioner to determine the need for rehabilitation. The Department encourage this referral, if required, as early as possible. Back to top

"Injury Management" - the Department follows the WorkCover WA Injury Management model. Injury Management is defined as a workplace managed process incorporating employer and medical management from time of injury to facilitate where practicable, efficient and cost effective maintenance in or return to suitable employment. Back to top

"Injury Management Consultant" - responsible for the coordination of vocational rehabilitation services for all departmental employees and provide advice to districts, schools and central office on vocational rehabilitation issues. Back to top

"Medical Practitioner" - a person who is resident in a State or Territory of the Commonwealth and is entitled to practice as a medical practitioner in accordance with the laws of the State or Territory. Back to top

"Return to Work Program" - a program designed to return an injured employee to meaningful and productive work when medically appropriate. Where necessary modifications will be made to an injured employee's duties or workplace. These programs are normally monitored by the claims manager and injury management coordinator. Back to top

"RiskCover" - is the managed fund created to administer the self-insurance arrangements of State Government agencies. RiskCover promotes effective claims management in partnership with the Department. RiskCover Claims Officers facilitate this partnership and ensure claims are managed effectively. Back to top

"Specialist" - means a medical practitioner who is resident in the State and whose name is on the Register of Specialists prepared and maintained in accordance with section 146(9) of the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981. Back to top

"Vocational Rehabilitation" - means, in relation to workers who have suffered a disability compensable under the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981, the progressive and coordinated use of measures for counselling, occupational and vocational training and retraining, work assessment, and the use of aids, appliances, services or other means to facilitate the restoration of those workers to the fullest capacity for gainful employment of which they are capable. Back to top

"Workers' Compensation" - insurance that protects employers from high injury costs and provides injured workers with weekly payments of compensation. Back to top

"Workers' Compensation Officer" - manages workers' compensation claims liaising with Departmental staff, solicitors, loss adjusters, medical practitioners and external parties in the workers' compensation system. Back to top

"WorkCover WA" - is the independent government agency responsible for the administration of the workers' compensation and rehabilitation system in Western Australia. WorkCover oversee all insurance agencies, in public and government agencies. Back to top

 

© Human Resources Services 2005