Operating as an ARP
The following information is relevant to existing Approved Rehabilitation Providers (ARPs):
Criteria and Operational standards
Under section 34 of the SRC Act Comcare establishes criteria [pdf] and operational standards for rehabilitation providers. These standards are designed to ensure that ARPs deliver high quality services that contribute to successful return to work outcomes.
Approval period
All ARPs are subject to a formal renewal process with Comcare every three years.
The current approval period runs from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2010.
Processing fees
- Initial approval application $2000
- Renewal approval application:
- $3000 for Comcare approval in 2-3 states/territories
- $5000 for Comcare approval in 4 or more states/territories
Advising Comcare of changes
ARPs are required to advise Comcare in writing within one month of:
- any change in the identity of the principals of the provider, or employees (see engaging new staff) providing occupational rehabilitation services under the SRC Act
- any matter that, if the provider were not already approved, would affect the capacity of the provider to meet the particular criteria for approval as an ARP in force from time to time under s34D of the SRC Act, and
- any matter that affects the compliance or the capacity to affect the compliance, of the ARP with the operational standards in force at the time.
Changes to details such as addresses and phone numbers can be emailed to rehab.approval@comcare.gov.au.
Engaging new staff
When an ARP engages new staff to provide return to work program management services under the SRC Act, they must submit to Comcare a request for those staff to be approved as providers for that organisation.
The request comprises of documentary evidence that establishes that new staff comply with criterion 1 of Comcare's criteria for Approval or Renewal of Approval of Rehabilitation Program Providers.
A new staff list [doc] must accompany the request. Changes to staffing must be advised to Comcare within one month.
Certified copies (or originals) are required of:
- All certificates held by applicants or their employees which are evidence that the applicant/employee possesses a degree or graduate diploma as described in Criterion 1.2 (a)
OR
- All documentation submitted as evidence that the applicant/employee is currently registered with a relevant registration authority as described in Criterion 1.2 (c)
PLUS
- All documentation submitted as evidence that the applicant/employee is a full member of a professional association related to the qualification referred to in the previous paragraph, or that they are eligible to be a full member of that association as described in Criterion 1.2 (d).
To clarify what is required for Accredited Exercise Physiologists:
- AEPs must be recognised by AAESS and can demonstrate 6 months of occupational rehabilitation experience.
Certifying documentation and RTW experience
The certification of a document consists of an endorsement on the actual document copy itself, stating that an appropriate person has sighted the original document and he or she believes the copy to be a true copy of that document. The person making the endorsing statement must also sign the actual copy being provided to Comcare. This signature cannot be photocopied and for clarity that the signature is original, Comcare would prefer that it be in blue ink.
The following publication lists those persons who can endorse documents as being true copies: Certification [pdf].