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Work safety delivers lower compensation costs in Comcare scheme

Media release

- 21 Jul 2010

Federal public sector employers have received a 4% reduction in their annual workers’ compensation premiums by working more cooperatively with the federal government regulator Comcare to reduce harm in the workplace, the Deputy CEO and Head of Scheme Integrity, Steve Kibble, announced today.

“By working with Comcare, federal agencies in the Comcare scheme have been able to bring down the rate of injuries for workers.”

“That’s good news for the more than 194,000 workers in the Commonwealth public sector.”

The incidence of claims in the federal public sector fell from 15.8 to 15.1 claims per 1000 full-time equivalent employees from 2008-09 to 31 March 2010.

Comcare will continue to work with federal agencies to ensure injuries at work are reduced.

Under the 2010-2011 premiums announced today, federal agencies will see their annual workers’ compensation premiums reduced on average from 1.25% of payroll to 1.20% of payroll – representing a substantial savings for agencies who focus on keeping their employees healthy and safe at work, and helping injured workers return to work as effectively as possible.

The results indicate that three quarters of scheme employers will now be paying less than 1% in premium rates.

“Putting workplace health and safety as a principle concern of the public sector not only ensures we are having fundamental regard to workers, but it also improves the bottom line for employers through a more resilient and productive workforce,” Mr Kibble said.

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Media release: Work safety delivers lower compensation costs in Comcare scheme [pdf]