Injury Management and Workers' Compensation
On this page:
- Our Philosophy
- Workers' Compensation
- Occupational Rehabilitation and Return to Work
- 'If You Are Injured at Work' Posters
- Contacts
Our Philosophy
The University of Melbourne aims to assist employees to remain at work or make a safe and durable return to work based on medical advice, at the earliest opportunity following an injury or illness. The University manages employees' claims for workers' compensation as a licensed workers' compensation Self-Insurer. We manage these issues with reference to the WorkSafe Claims Manual.
We endorse the compelling Australian and international evidence that:
- Appropriate work is good for you
- Returning to work is part of an injured worker’s rehabilitation
- Injured workers don’t need to be 100% fit to return to work
- Long term worklessness is bad for health and wellbeing.
References:
Black D-C. Working for a healthier tomorrow: Dame Carol Black’s review of the health of Britain’s working age population. Norwich: The Stationery Office, 2008.
The Australian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) Royal College of Physicians. Australian and New Zealand consensus statement on the health benefits of work: Realising the Health Benefits of Work. 2011.
Workers' Compensation
How to lodge a workers' compensation claim
Claims for weekly compensation can be made by completing a Worker's Injury Claim Form. form which is available from the Injury Management team or Australia Post. This claim must be accompanied by a WorkSafe Certificate of Capacity which is provided by your treating practitioner.
The claim form and medical certificate must be sent to the Injury Management team within 5 days of becoming aware of your condition.
If you are claiming for medical and like expenses only, a WorkSafe Certificate of Capacity is not required to be submitted with the claim form.
How are workers' compensation claims assessed?
Acknowledgement
Once the Injury Management team receives your claim for compensation, you and your department will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your claim. You may be contacted by phone to discuss any matters that require clarification.
Assessment
The Injury Management team has 28 days to assess your claim for weekly payments and 28 days for medical and like expenses claims.
During this assessment period:
- You may be requested in writing to attend a medical practitioner who is a specialist in dealing with the particular injury at hand. If there are any difficulties in attending the required medical examination, you must contact the Injury Management team immediately so a further date can be arranged. If you fail to attend the medical examination, your entitlement to compensation may be suspended. An interpreter can also be arranged , if required.
- You may also be consulted by an insurance loss assessor to discuss the circumstances which surround your claim.
Results of Assessment
If your Claim for Compensation is accepted, you will receive a letter advising you of what your workers' compensation entitlements are. If your Claim for Compensation is not accepted, you will receive a letter advising you on the grounds which your claim was rejected on and what your appeal rights are.
Who is an employee?
Any person who has signed a contract of employment with the University of Melbourne or receives payment for providing a service or performing a task for whom the University deducts income tax and pays a workers' compensation levy. This would normally include all full time, part time and casual staff.
What is a compensable injury?
Any injury or disease which occurs whilst in the course of your employment would normally be classified as a compensable injury. Employment must always be a Significant Contributing Factor to the development of your claimed injury or condition.
Accident Make Up Pay
Make up pay is the difference between payments determined by Victorian workers' compensation legislation and the employee's usual salary. Details of make up pay arrangements are available from the Human Resources policy Miscellaneous (UOM0122): Section 9 Accident Make-up pay.
Help and queries
Please contact the Injury Management team for help and queries.
Occupational Rehabilitation and Return to Work
The University will assist injured employees to remain at work or return to work at the earliest opportunity following an injury or illness.
A Return to Work Coordinator from the Injury Management team, in consultation with the employee, the employee's supervisor and any treating practitioners, will prepare a detailed Return to Work Plan conforming to WorkSafe Victoria guidelines.
Treatment and Rehabilitation for Injuries
Rehabilitation could include a multi-disciplinary range of skills in addition to the medical management of an injury e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, ergonomics and counselling. Rehabilitation commences at the earliest possible notification of injury and continues until the employee is as fully rehabilitated as possible.
External rehabilitation providers may be engaged to assist with rehabilitation. Where appropriate a choice of 3 Worksafe approved providers will be given. Should you wish to nominate your own Rehabilitation Provider, please contact your Return to Work Coordinator to discuss approval requirements for this provider.
Suitable Employment, Including Modified or Alternate Duties
Suitable employment, including modified or alternate duties, consistent with medical opinion, will be sought for all employees at the earliest opportunity. Suitable duties means work that suits the nature of the employee's injury and current work capacity. Suitable duties will initially be sought with the original department and if this is not possible other departments can be considered.
Responsibilities of Employees, Supervisors and Managers in the Return to Work Process
Supervisors and Managers
Supervisors and Managers will assist the Return to Work Co-ordinator in developing and implementing an appropriate safe and meaningful return to work program. The Supervisors and Managers should provide regular feedback to the Return to Work Co-ordinator on progress and any problems.
Supervisors and Managers should discuss progress with the injured employee and the Return to Work Co-ordinator; provide support and assistance when the injured employee returns to work; and take action, where appropriate, to prevent recurrence of injury. Such actions may include reasonable modifications to the workplace.
Employees Undergoing Rehabilitation
Employees undergoing rehabilitation are required to co-operate in their rehabilitation program, the agreed primary goal being return to work. Failure to co-operate could jeopardise their entitlement to compensation. Employees undergoing rehabilitation must attend intermittent medical examinations by WorkSafe medical experts as nominated by the Injury Management Team.
Help and queries
Please contact the Injury Management team for help and queries.
Sample image of If You Are Injured poster - click for larger.
'If You Are Injured at Work' Posters
WorkSafe Victoria's If You Are Injured at Work poster must be displayed in every workplace.
The format of this poster changed in July 2009 and pre-July 2009 versions are no longer valid. A sample image of the current format is provided at right.
Please make sure there is a current poster (including the University's Return to Work Coordinator contact details) on your department or area's health and safety noticeboard, or another location where all staff can easily see it.
To obtain a compliant poster, please contact Peter Robertson.
Contacts
Please contact the Injury Management team for help and queries.