Features
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws commenced on 1 January and will affect you and your organisation. Comcare’s WHS website includes new guidance and resources to assist you.
Today, 1 January 2012 marks an historic event for our jurisdiction with the commencement of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act) for the Commonwealth jurisdiction.
This Saturday, 3 December we celebrate International Day of People with a Disability. The day aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. Throughout the Australian Public Service meetings and activities are being held over the next couple of weeks to celebrate and acknowledge this event.
Photo: National Disability Services Victoria
Thursday, 24 November marks a historic moment for Comcare and for the safety of Australian workers. The Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 and the Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequential) Bill 2011 were passed in the senate without amendment.
Comcare is commemorating Asbestos Awareness Week and speaking with two experts in the field about the remaining dangers of asbestos in Australia.
See what’s new with Comcare’s 2010 - 2011 annual report. Choose how to interact with the content and experience a faster viewing experience.
To mark the third week (23 October – 29 October) of Health and Safety month and in line with Safe Work Australia, the focus is on Safety in the workplace. A safe workplace is vital to worker’s health, wellbeing and a ‘de-stressed mind and body’.
To mark the second week (17 October – 23 October) of Health and Safety month and help promote our theme ‘De-stress your mind and body’, Comcare is encouraging employees to focus on their physical health this week. What are you doing about it?
Comcare will be celebrating Health and Safety Month from 9 October until 28 October. During this month, we will be launching activities that promote our theme:
‘De-stress your mind and body’.
Safe Work Australia has announced the start of the public comment period for 15 draft model Codes of Practice that will accompany the new Work Health and Safety Act due to come into operation at the start of next year.
Comcare recognises the importance of workplace design and management and how good work can have a positive impact on the health of workers. We have created a Work Health section on our website which provides tools and resources for organisations to protect and promote the health of their workers. We encourage you to visit the Work Health pages and use the resources available:
See you next week in Melbourne for our Comcare National Conference. View program and speaker information.
Comcare CEO Paul O’Connor said it was a privilege to be part of the Vinnie’s Sleep Out Challenge in Canberra last night.
Among those who joined the sleep out last night were Dr Ian Watt (Defence), Paul O’Connor (Comcare), Kathryn Campbell (Human Services), Steve Sedgwick (APS Commissioner) and Andrew Metcalfe (Immigration & Citizenship).
The comment period on the Commonwealth specific provisions of the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety (WHS) Bill, implemented in the Commonwealth jurisdiction on 1 January 2012 has now closed.
On 1 January 2012 all states and territories and the Commonwealth will be covered by the same Work Health and Safety laws – Comcare has launched our new WHS website in line with the 2011 Comcare seminars that focus on harmonisation. We encourage you to visit the site and use the resources available.
The 2011 Comcare National Seminars will be held around Australia in May 2011 with a focus on the harmonisation of the work health and safety laws.
A new Consensus Statement signed in New Zealand Comcare’s CEO, Paul O’Connor backs the benefits of work for improved health and well being.
Nominations have opened for this year’s Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission Safety Awards.
In 2011, Comcare will again be participating in Earth Hour by turning off its lights between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday 26 March.
In 2011 there will be changes a number of changes employers and others in our community need to be aware of. The most significant change is the harmonisation of Work Health and Safety laws from 1 January 2012. There will also be a number of changes by Comcare to improve the services we provide to our community.
Comcare recognises that many federal workers and their families in Queensland that are supported by our services, may be experiencing difficulties due to Cyclone Yasi and the recent floods. We understand it may be challenging to communicate with Comcare or attend medical appointments. We have put in place arrangements to ensure no injured worker is disadvantaged.
During February and March 2011 Comcare will be hosting workshops and focus groups around Australia on the model regulations and codes of practice.
This report outlines the design, development, implementation and evaluation of health and wellbeing programs in the workplace.
Comcare's Annual Report 2009-2010 and Strategic Plan 2010-2015 are now available - both as interactive versions.
Comcare is collaborating with Medibank Health Solutions and the Australian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine to present a Work 4 Health forum with Dame Carol Black.
We’re celebrating work health and safety for an entire month with our new campaign, Healthy@Work, Happy@Home.
Over 560 people will meet at the National Convention Centre in Canberra for Comcare's 8th annual conference.
Welcome to the new look Comcare website. We have redeveloped our look and feel whilst maintaining our usability tested layout and features. Comcare is working hard to ensure our website reflects best practice and enables all our stakeholders to easily find information and complete tasks.
Over the coming months we will be implementing new features and tools that will help our users find the information they need quickly and enhance user experience here on our website.
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) has announced the finalists of the 2010 SRCC Safety Awards. The 10th annual SRCC Safety Awards recognise and reward workplace safety achievements of individuals and organisations operating within the Commonwealth occupational health and safety and/or workers' compensation schemes.
Comcare CEO Paul O’Connor will join Australian business and community leaders and sleep rough for a night as part of the annual St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout to promote social inclusion and raise money for homelessness services.
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play an important role in improving health and safety in our workplaces. In response to your feedback, Comcare is pleased to release its new publication Guidelines - Health and Safety Representatives training in the Commonwealth jurisdiction.
In April and May, we are undertaking research to understand injured workers’ health outcomes, service experience and expectations of Comcare.
As part of Safe Work Australia Week 2009, Comcare announced the sponsorship of four scholarships for professionals working in the specialist field of injury management.
The 2010 Comcare National Seminars program has been released and registration is now available online.
At its December 2009 meeting, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) endorsed the inaugural Compendium of OHS and Workers' Compensation Statistics.
Approved rehabilitation providers in the Comcare scheme are invited to submit renewal applications by 31 December 2009 for the next three-year approval period, commencing 1 July 2010.
Comcare is proud to partner with Safe Work Australia during Safe Work Australia Week, being held from 25 to 31 October 2009.
New model occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation currently being developed by Safe Work Australia, in partnership with the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and employer and employee groups, is now open for public comment.
To be held on 23 – 25 September 2009, this year’s conference will focus on what it means to be healthy and safe at work.
Comcare is seeking comments from employers, employees and claimants on its revised Claimant Charter for workers' compensation claims managed by Comcare.
Comcare, in partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), has launched a new nationally accredited qualification in injury rehabilitation management.
Registration is now open for Comcare's next series of Seminars which will commence in March. The seminar program comprises of two half-day sessions with a focus on OHS, rehabilitation and return to work.
The new Comcare website has been developed to meet the needs of all our stakeholders - from OHS and case managers to claimants and service providers. With a raft of new features, the site allows you to easily find information and complete tasks.