Application pack

This page provides prospective rehabilitation providers with information on the application process and the requirements for approval. The SRC Act may vary in operation from what you may already be working under if you are approved under other state legislations. After reading through all the material provided to you and you have any questions about the operation of the SRC Act and an approved rehabilitation provider, please contact us to discuss.

Contents:

• Background

• Requirements for approval as a rehabilitation provider

• Fee

• Application for approval

• Rehabilitation provider approval

• Comcare rehabilitation provider training

• Application forms and other relevant publications

Background

Who is covered: The SRC Act provides workers’ compensation coverage for all Commonwealth employees. This includes employees of Australian Government departments and agencies, employees of self-insurers and members of the Australian Defence Force. Approval also allows rehabilitation providers to deliver rehabilitation programs to the maritime industry under the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 (the Seafarers Act) and the Australian defence force under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA).

Employers responsible for rehabilitation: As part of a comprehensive approach to workers’ compensation, the SRC Act requires employers to take responsibility for the appropriate rehabilitation of their employees following a work-related injury.

Employers may seek assistance from a rehabilitation provider to facilitate an early, safe and durable return to work. To assist employers, the SRC Act provides for the approval of appropriately qualified professionals as rehabilitation providers. Information on the workers’ compensation schemes established under the:

• Seafarers Act and regulated by Seacare can be found at www.seacare.gov.au, or
• Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and regulated by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs can be found at www.mrcs.gov.au.

Requirements for approval as a rehabilitation provider

Rehabilitation providers are assessed against prescribed criteria and standards. These criteria and standards are designed to ensure that rehabilitation providers approved under the SRC Act provide high quality services and can successfully manage return to work outcomes for the scheme.

Applicants for approval as a rehabilitation provider should review the criteria and standards and consider their capacity to meet these requirements. Applicants must ensure that the criteria are met and operational standards are maintained by all staff in the organisation working in a capacity under the SRC Act.

It is important that you review the topic covering conflict of interest in the rehabilitation provider role. The advice clarifies the role and the distinction made between rehabilitation and treatment services. Prospective providers should carefully consider this advice and their business objectives before lodging an application.

Advice on managing conflicts of interest and approved rehabilitation providers.

Fee

An application for approval must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of $480 (this fee is non-refundable). Attached is the fee advice showing payment options.

Application for approval

If you wish to make an application to become an approved rehabilitation provider you need to complete the application form. Please identify any staff who will be working under the SRC Act and demonstrate how they meet the criteria for approval. If the organisation is proposing to provide services in more than one state please identify staff by state. A suggested format for providing this information is also attached.
The completed application form and application fee payment advice must be returned to:

Ms Vicki Stortini
Approved Rehabilitation Provider Applications
Comcare
GPO Box 9905
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Where all relevant information is provided with the application Comcare will endeavour to make a decision on approval within 8 weeks from receipt of the application. However applicants should note that the SRC Act provides a maximum period of six months from date of receipt for Comcare to process the application.

Rehabilitation Provider Approval

Subject to the provider’s ongoing compliance with the criteria and standards and any other condition to which the approval is subject, successful applicants will be approved until 30 June 2010. The provider will then be invited to renew their approval for the next approval period. Advice on the assessment requirements for renewal of approval will be given to successful providers at the time of approval.

Comcare rehabilitation provider training

All staff who have been nominated to deliver rehabilitation programs are required to attend training. The training provides an orientation for working in the Commonwealth workers' compensation environment and should be undertaken within three months following approval. 

• ARP training courses - for more information, click on this link
  

Application form and associated information

Return all of these forms when you lodge your application:

• Application form [141.6kb] - To become an approved rehabilitation provider.

• Applicant details form - (this form is in the application form but is available separately if you want to download and fill in on your own PC) [ 91.0 kb]

• Fee [ 98.7kb] - Cost of application form. Pay by cheque or credit card.

• Staff list [ 53kb] - To Inform Comcare of new/current staff.

• Provider Directory Web Update Form [ 246kb] - To inform Comcare of what details your internet listing on our web site will disclose to potential customers.

Please do not alter or modify any of these forms.

Associated information - read all of these:

• Criteria for Approval or Renewal of Approved Persons as Rehabilitation Providers [  37.9kb] - What you will be assessed against initially and on an ongoing basis.

• Operational Standards for Rehabilitation Providers (publication 59) [ 58.9kb] - Standards you are required to meet continuously.

• Conflict of interest [ 90.8kb] - Policy advice about avoiding a conflict of interest situation.

• Employer guidelines (publication 19) -  An important guideline issued to employers, and will help you understand employer requirements under the SRC Act.

• Return to Work easy reference guide (publication 22) - Outlines the steps in the return to work process and the role we all play in working together to achieve a successful return to work.