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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-24 Daily Xml
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WORKCOVER CORPORATION

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Will he describe what the government is doing to support the introduction of industry-specific qualifications for aspiring and existing claims managers working in the workers rehabilitation and compensation industry?

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:51): I thank the Hon. Mr Hunter for his question. I am pleased to advise the chamber that WorkCoverSA has facilitated the introduction of a Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management (Claims Management) to South Australia. WorkCover's support for the introduction of this qualification reflects its commitment as a regulator to the professional management of workers compensation in South Australia. The introduction of the Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management is a critical step in building claims management capability within the scheme.

WorkCover is currently consulting with employee and employer representatives regarding the training provided to rehabilitation and return-to-work coordinators. The Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management (Claims Management) is a nationally recognised qualification based on agreed national industry standards. I understand both New South Wales and Victoria have successfully piloted delivery of the qualification. WorkCoverSA has been working closely with the South Australian workers compensation industry to adapt the content of the program to the South Australian Workers Compensation Scheme. A pilot delivery of the program commenced on 3 March this year and will be completed by the end of February 2012.

The Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management will meet a specific need in South Australia for industry-specific qualifications. The qualification has been developed to address the claims management skills required for personal injury management in the South Australian scheme. A total of 26 participants, drawn from across the workers compensation field, have been funded by WorkCoverSA to participate in the pilot. This is an important investment by WorkCover in monitoring the skills and capabilities of those in the sector.

Participants in the pilot include 15 employees of the scheme's claims agent, Employers Mutual, and five employees of privately self-insured employers—namely, ETSA Utilities, OneSteel Whyalla, Nyrstar Port Pirie, Orlando Wines and Hills Group—as well as six WorkCoverSA employees.

The pilot delivery is being undertaken by DeakinPrime, which has successfully piloted the program in New South Wales and Victoria. WorkCoverSA is already working with local registered training organisations to enable ongoing delivery of the qualification. I am sure this initiative will play an important part in assisting with efficient and effective claims management for injured workers in this state.

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