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Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is about achieving an early and durable recovery at and return to work following an injury.
Under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act), the rehabilitation authority has the responsibility and authority to manage the return to work of their injured employees. For current employees, this is their current Commonwealth employer, and for ex-employees, their rehabilitation authority is their last Commonwealth employer.
A rehabilitation authority may use an approved workplace rehabilitation provider to develop and implement a rehabilitation program or it may provide the rehabilitation program for the employee itself.
Comcare supports the rehabilitation authority to manage this process and make sure the claim is managed effectively.
Guidelines for rehabilitation authorities
The Guidelines for Rehabilitation Authorities 2019 (the Guidelines) came into effect on 15 August 2019. The Guidelines focus on the mandatory requirements for rehabilitation authorities in the performance and exercise of their powers and functions. This allows rehabilitation authorities to tailor rehabilitation practices to achieve early and durable recovery at work or return to work for employees.
More information can be found in the Guidelines FAQs.
Rehabilitation Case Manager handbook
The Rehabilitation Case Manager Handbook helps case managers operating under the SRC Act. It covers all aspects of the rehabilitation and injury management process.
Case management support documentation
- Authority and consent for the collection and release of medical information pertaining to my claim
- Suitable employment
- Work trial agreement
Forms
The following forms should be used with the Guidelines.
- Rehabilitation Assessment Examination (SRC 116)
- Rehabilitation Program (SRC 40)
- Rehabilitation Program Alteration (SRC 86)
- Rehabilitation Program Cessation (SRC 41)
Rehabilitation management system
Comcare recommends that rehabilitation authorities develop and maintain a rehabilitation management system. A rehabilitation management system provides a framework to assist employers to meet their legislative obligations and provide effective rehabilitation services to their employees.
The effectiveness of a workplace rehabilitation management system is best maintained through an ongoing program with the following elements:
- commitment and corporate governance
- planning
- implementation
- measurement and evaluation
- review and improvement.
Information on rehabilitation management systems can be found on the following pages:
