Workplace rehabilitation is covered under medical costs and does not impact premiums, except under the loss prevention and recovery (LPR) model. LPR uses an alternative method of calculating premiums.

Other costs that don’t impact premiums include travel claims, health provider costs, legal and interpreter costs, and estimates of future costs.

• You must provide first aid immediately and ensure the worker gets the right care. 
• You must tell your insurer within 48 hours of being made aware of the injury and start the claims process.
• You must also record it in your register of injuries.
• If the injury is considered ‘serious’ or has resulted in a death you must report the incident to Safework NSW at 13 10 50.

As of last year according to icare, 83% of injured workers returned to work within 26 weeks.

The longer a worker is away from work, the less likely they are to ever return. Workplace rehab services help workers stay active and recover in a timely manner. 

Approved insurers determine the rates and premiums charged to the employer. This is based on the industry type, claims history, payroll and number of employees.

Your claims performance rate (CPR) is calculated at the renewal date of your policy and includes your claims costs for the past three years. A favorable CPR, indicating effective worker safety management and recovery practices, is rewarded with a lower premium. Your CPR is calculated by comparing your claims performance with other NSW businesses. If your CPR is better than the Scheme average, then your premiums will be lower.

As an employer, you must take reasonable steps to provide the injured worker with suitable employment in accordance with the worker’s capacity.

Some ways to identify suitable work include: 

• Changing hours
• Modifying duties
• Assigning a different job
• Providing training opportunities

Failing to provide suitable work to a worker may have an impact on the cost of your workers compensation premium and be a breach of your legal obligations.

There are a couple ways:

• You are entitled to a discount on your premium if you pay your annual premium in full.

• You can avoid paying a claims excess by notifying your insurance within five calendar days of you becoming aware of the injury.

• AusRehab can help you address factors that impact your claims performance, so that you may be eligible to receive a performance discount.

Any business that employs or hires workers on a full-time, part-time or casual basis, under contract of service or apprenticeship, must have workers’ compensation insurance that covers all workers.

Don’t hesitate to connect with AusRehab!

Reach out to our team at office@ausrehab.com or give us a call at 1300 391 947.