Changes to SA Workers Compensation and a new “Return to Work” Scheme to launch on 1 July 2015
The South Australian Government recently announced that the South Australian WorkCover scheme will be replaced with a new Return to Work scheme on 1 July 2015. This will result in many changes to the workers compensation environment in South Australia, including improvements in the service that people who have been injured at work will receive during their recovery and return to work.
As part of the changes, ReturnToWorkSA has replaced WorkCoverSA to implement and manage the Return to Work scheme from 1 July 2015.
About the scheme
The new Return to Work scheme will commence on 1 July 2015 replacing the current WorkCover scheme. For more information on the Return to Work scheme please visit www.rtwsa.com.
If you have a current claim
If you have a current claim and need continued support after 30 June 2015, your claim will be managed under the Return to Work scheme.
Non-seriously injured workers
If your injury has been assessed as causing a whole person impairment of 29% or less, from 1 July 2015 you may receive income support up to a maximum of two years, subject to the provisions of the new Return to Work Act 2014. For you to continue to receive income support after 1 July 2015, for example, you must actively participate in your recovery and return to work plan.
Income support transition arrangements for non-seriously injured workers
| If at 30 June 2015 you’re receiving weekly payments representing… | then from 1 July 2015 to 28 June 2016 you may receive weekly payments based on… | and from 29 June 2016 to 28 June 2017 you may receive weekly payments based on… |
|---|---|---|
| 100% of your average weekly earnings rate | 100% of your average weekly earnings rate | 100% of your average weekly earnings rate |
| 90% of your notional weekly earnings rate | 90% of your notional weekly earnings rate | 90% of your notional weekly earnings rate |
| 80% of your notional weekly earnings rate | 80% of your notional weekly earnings rate | 80% of your notional weekly earnings rate |
All aspects of your injury and recovery will be actively managed. Wherever possible, you will receive face-to-face service where there is a need for such assistance and support to help you recover and return to work.
To help you get back to work, you may continue to receive return to work services as well as payment of reasonable and necessary medical expenses for up to a further 12 months after your income support stops. Any therapeutic appliance required to maintain your capacity after this period will continue to be covered by the scheme.
Seriously injured workers
If you are a worker with a serious injury (assessed as having a 30% or more whole person impairment), you may be entitled to income support until retirement age, as well as payment of reasonable and necessary medical expenses and lifetime care and support.
What do I need to do?
At this stage you should continue to focus on your recovery. If you are likely to need support after 1 July 2015 your case manager will contact you to explain any changes to the support and services you currently receive and how they will continue to help you throughout your recovery.
What are the next steps to introducing the new scheme?
Regulations are being made to support the Return to Work Act 2014 and we anticipate they will be finalised in February.