Introduction to Rehabilitation Under the Seafarers Act
Part 3 (s.48 to 52) of the Seafarers Act is about Rehabilitation, and assisting an injured employee to return to suitable employment.
Rehabilitation providers have the same meaning as in the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 [link]. For a list of approved Rehabilitation providers in your state refer to the Comcare Directory of Approved Rehabilitation Providers.
Rehabilitation and effective and durable return-to-work in the shipping industry has been a difficult issue for some time. There are a number of unique factors which have an impact on rehabilitation and return-to-work performance including the legislative framework, the mobile and remote nature of workplaces, attitudinal factors, the difficulty in arranging graduated return to work opportunities and the availability of suitable employment alternatives.
The Seacare Authority held a highly successful Rehabilitation and Return to Work Symposium in Melbourne on 20 November 2000 and a rehabilitation and return to work round table in Fremantle in March 2001. These events were attended by nearly 100 delegates from shipping companies, maritime unions, WorkCover and other government organisations, rehabilitation providers, medical providers, insurers, lawyers and the press. Summaries of the Symposium outcomes 
and the Round Table outcomes are provided for information.
Following these events the Authority produced a package of Best Practice Rehabilitation and RTW guidance material.
The theme of the Seacare Conference 2006 was Improving Rehabilitation and Return To Work Outcomes. A summary of presentations is available as a hard copy.
