While brokers are recognised under the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023, they are not formally a licensed or approved service provider in the Western Australian workers compensation and injury management scheme.
As an intermediary, brokers play an important role in helping employers to understand and meet their statutory obligations. As such, WorkCover WA has set a clear direction and tangible assistance for brokers to adopt to maximise the workers compensation experience for employers, and minimise negative impacts on workers.
Insurance Brokers Principles and Standards of Practice- Insurance Brokers Principles and Standards of Practice
The Principles and Standards is a cohesive set of service expectations to ensure brokers provide high quality workers compensation services to employers.
They were developed collaboratively by WorkCover WA and an industry reference group. They provide clear guidelines for insurance brokers operating within the WA workers compensation scheme and assist them to meet their professional obligations.
Current workers compensation insurance policy
Brokers should ensure clients’ workers compensation insurance policies are up-to-date. An employer risks being prosecuted under the Act for not having a current policy.
Insurers are obliged to report new (or renewed) insurance policies to WorkCover WA for monitoring purposes. Delays in getting this information to us could trigger an investigation by our Compliance Branch.
Learn how to seek a premium and/or industry classification review with WorkCover WA.
Claim forms must be submitted to the insurer within seven days
You should direct employers to submit claims directly to the insurer. If you do receive a claim form, you need to forward it to the insurer immediately on the employer’s behalf.
Further information about the legal obligations of employers can be found in the Employers section.
Brokers who wish to learn more about the Western Australian workers compensation and injury management scheme can complete the online Insurance Brokers Education Program. This Program is currently under review and will be released shortly.
Developed in collaboration with the National Insurance Brokers Association WA (NIBA) and the Insurance Council of Australia WA, the education program consists of modules designed to inform and guide brokers’ knowledge of workers compensation and injury management. On program completion, brokers will have gained an understanding of their role in the scheme and the claim management process.
The education program is accredited by both NIBA and the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance. Participants will be awarded the relevant continuing professional development points.
Queries?
For more information about the roles and responsibilities of all parties in the workers compensation and injury management scheme, contact our Advice and Assistance Service on 1300 794 744.
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