Answers to Questions

ReturnToWorkSA

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (29 October 2019).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been provided the following advice:

Of the 135 impairment assessors accredited to 30 June 2022, 48 reside outside of South Australia. Of these 48 impairment assessors:

41 provide assessments via medico-legal report services—these services cover the cost of travel for visits to SA.

5 do not travel to SA and only provide services to injured workers who reside in the same state.

2 assessors occasionally visit SA for personal reasons and provide assessment services when here.

No additional travel or ancillary costs are incurred as a result of assessors from outside SA being accredited. Further, the fee schedule for impairment assessments applies equally to all assessments regardless of the assessors' location.

There were 52 FIFO impairment assessors before March 2018, none of whom were paid for travel.

I am advised that there have been no delays as a consequence of using interstate assessors. All impairment assessors are required to meet the same time frames required by the conditions of accreditation.