Policy Developments

In relation to the ACT Government’s self-insurance arrangements for the ACT Public Sector, a new streamlined workers' compensation claims process was brought in to place from 1 January 2022 for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to make it easier and faster to access the supports needed.

Support for First Responders

In relation to the ACT Government’s self-insurance arrangements for the ACT Public Sector, a new streamlined workers' compensation claims process was brought in to place from 1 January 2022 for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to make it easier and faster to access the supports needed.

Legislative amendments

Employment and Workplace Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2020

In July 2020, amendments were passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly to the Workers Compensation Act 1951 under the Employment and Workplace Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2020 to modernise the provisions that deal with insurer and self-insurer approval to align with a best practice licensing framework.

These amendments improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislative framework applying to insurers and self‑insurers. Specifically, the amendments:

• update the approved insurer provisions to a licensing model which supports an ongoing insurer licence; and
• bring the exempt self-insurer provisions into line with a licensing model to improve the service delivery and performance monitoring of self-insurers.

The amendments commenced in January 2021, with current approval processes for insurers and self-insurers in place until May 2022.

The amendments also:

• removed duplicative reporting requirements; and
• aligned the regulatory functions under workers compensation laws with the new Office of the WHS Commissioner.

To support these changes, the Workers Compensation Regulation 2002 will be amended to align with the changes to the insurer licensing framework.