On 24 June 2024, the Australian Government appointed Ms Justine Ross as chair and Professor Robin Creyke AO and Mr Greg Isolani as panel members of the independent panel to undertake a comprehensive review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) (SRC Act), the legislative framework that underpins the Comcare workers’ compensation scheme.

The review will make recommendations to the Australian Government to inform future legislative reform of the SRC Act. The panel brings a range of relevant expertise across workers’ compensation, legal frameworks, claimant experience and government policy.

Recommendations from the panel are expected within 12 months of review commencement.

As a part of the consultation process, the panel is now seeking submissions to help better understand experiences of injured workers and other stakeholders with the Comcare scheme. Visit the Consultation Hub to download the issues paper that includes questions to help guide your response, and options for how you can provide your feedback.

Submissions close at close of business on 2 December 2024.

The panel is seeking responses from:

• Injured workers or family members of injured workers who have lived experience of the Comcare scheme.
• Other participants directly involved in the workers’ compensation scheme, such as employers of an injured worker, claims managers, rehabilitation providers and health care providers.
• Peak representative bodies and organisations.
• Legal representatives, insurers, actuaries and academics with experience in workers’ compensation.

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An independent review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 – Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government