WorkCover Corporation (Claims Management—Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 1997 (SA)
South Australia
WorkCover Corporation (Claims Management—Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 1997
under the WorkCover Corporation Act 1994
Contents
Short title
Commencement
Authorisation of contracts
Commencement of authorisation
Effect of authorisation
Schedule
Legislative history
1—Short title
These regulations may be cited as the WorkCover Corporation (Claims Management—Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 1997.
2—Commencement
These regulations will come into operation on the day immediately following the day on which the time for disallowance of these regulations passes (see section 14(4a)(a) of the WorkCover Corporation Act 1994).
3—Authorisation of contracts
The Corporation is authorised to enter into contracts with private sector bodies that involve the conferral of the powers referred to in section 14(3) of the WorkCover Corporation Act 1994, other than the power to collect levies, in the form, or substantially in the form, of the contract contained in the schedule with the completion of such detail as is required to reflect the agreement reached on any outstanding matters between the Corporation and a relevant private sector body.
4—Commencement of authorisation
The authorisation under regulation 3 takes effect on 1 July 1998.
5—Effect of authorisation
A contract that is entered into by the Corporation in accordance with the authorisation provided by these regulations will remain in full force and effect as between the parties to the contract even if these regulations are varied or revoked, or the authorisation conferred by these regulations lapses, so that the contract would otherwise cease to be a contract that is authorised by these regulations.
Schedule
WORKCOVER CORPORATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
[SECOND PARTY]
ACN [ ]
CLAIMS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
WORKCOVER CORPORATION
of
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RECITALS
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1.
Definitions
1.2.
Interpretation Rules
1.3.
Entire Agreement
1.4.
Amendments
1.5.
Headings
1.6.
Schedules, Recitals and Annexures
2. STATEMENT OF INTENTIONS
2.1.
Intention
2.2.
Interpretation
3. TERM
3.1.
Initial Term
3.2.
Exercise of right of extension
3.3.
Terms applicable upon extension
4. CORPORATE REQUIREMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS
4.1.
Agent's Functions to be exclusive business of Agent
4.2.
Not to use name "WorkCover"
4.3.
Notification of change of directors
4.4.
Notification of change of control
4.5.
Interest in other Agents
4.6.
Annual statement of Agent's resources
4.7.
Access to Agent's Records
4.8.
Maintain viable operation
5. PROVISION OF THE AGENT'S FUNCTIONS
5.1.
Scope of Agent's Functions
5.2.
Extension for recovery functions
5.3.
Agent responsible for Resources
6. STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE OF THE AGENT'S FUNCTIONS
6.1.
Compliance with Relevant Law and this Agreement
6.2.
The Standards of Service
6.3.
The Code of Conduct
6.4.
Agent to perform Agent's Functions
6.5.
Prohibition against assignment
7. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
7.1.
Agent Performance Evaluation Program
7.2.
Cessation of Agent Performance Evaluation Program
7.3.
Additional performance reporting
7.4.
Internal Audit
7.5.
Audits instigated by the Corporation
8. ACCOUNTING AND OTHER INFORMATION
8.1.
Maintain adequate records
8.2.
Provision of returns/reports to Corporation
8.3.
Declarations of payments
8.4.
Information the property of the Corporation
8.5.
Access by the Corporation's auditors
8.6.
Basis of audit
8.7.
Terms of engagement of External Service Providers
8.8.
Access to Agent's reports
8.9.
Employee information
9. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
9.1.
Use of Agent's WorkCover sub-account
9.2.
Engaging of External Service Providers
9.3.
Unauthorised payments by the Agent
10. REMUNERATION
10.1.
Calculation of remuneration
10.2.
Adjustment of the Agent's remuneration upon extension of the Term by reference to CPI movements
10.3.
Adjustment of the Agent's Remuneration upon extension of the Term by negotiation
10.4.
Adjustment of the Agent's remuneration to reflect changed circumstances
10.5.
Determination of quantum of adjustment
10.6.
Amendment of Schedule D
11. COMPUTER SYSTEMS
12. SECURITY
12.1.
Provision of appropriate security system
12.2.
Pre-commencement procedure
12.3.
Comply with Section 112 of the WRCA
12.4.
Information relevant to the administration of the WorkCover Scheme
12.5.
Indemnity
13. TRANSITIONAL AND OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
13.1.
Accreditation of staff
13.2.
Provision of certificate of readiness
14. DELEGATIONS
15. CONSULTATION
15.1.
Consultation as to policy and procedure
15.2.
Example of Consultative Process
16. NO GOODWILL
16.1.
No goodwill in Agent's Functions or Nominated Employers
16.2.
No right of renewal or extension
16.3.
Corporation may enter into further Claims Management Agreements
17. CO-OPERATION
18. BROKERS
18.1.
Definition of "Broker"
18.2.
Certain payments to Brokers prohibited
18.3.
Payments to Brokers not basis for adjustment of remuneration
19. TERMINATION PRIOR TO EXPIRY OF TERM
19.1.
Termination on Failure of Authorisation
19.2.
Termination on Bankruptcy
19.3.
Force Majeure
19.4.
Interaction with Schedule G
20. DEFAULT PROCEDURES
21. STEP-IN RIGHTS
21.1.
Step-in Rights
21.2.
Permitted Steps
21.3.
Assistance
21.4.
Costs
21.5.
Suspension of Obligations
22. WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
22.1.
Warranty as to Capacity
22.2.
Warranty as to Staff
22.3.
Warranty as to Year 2000 compliance
23. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
23.1.
Waiver
23.2.
Law
23.3.
Costs
23.4.
Further acts
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE A—AGENT'S FUNCTIONS
SCHEDULE B—CODE OF CONDUCT
SCHEDULE C—PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
SCHEDULE D—REMUNERATION
SCHEDULE E—STAFF ACCREDITATION AND EMPLOYER SELECTION OF AGENT
SCHEDULE F—COMPUTER SYSTEMS
SCHEDULE G—CANCELLATION/SUSPENSION/SURRENDER OF AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE H—CERTIFICATE OF READINESS
SCHEDULE I—DELEGATED POWERS
SCHEDULE J—EXTERNAL SERVICE PROVIDERS CONDITIONS
CLAIMS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made 1998
BETWEEN:
WORKCOVER CORPORATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA a statutory corporation continued in existence under the WorkCover Corporation Act 1994 ("the Corporation"),
AND
[NAME OF SECOND PARTY] [ACN ], of [address of second party] ("the Agent").
RECITALS
AThe Corporation is responsible for:
(i)the administration of the WRCA particularly so as to achieve the objectives set out in section 2(1) of the WRCA; and
(ii)ensuring the efficient and economic operation of the workers rehabilitation and compensation scheme under the WRCA pursuant to Section 13(1)(e) of the WCA.
BThe Corporation has determined to discharge that responsibility, in part, by entering into contracts with private sector bodies to manage and determine claims pursuant to contracts which have been authorised by regulation pursuant to Section 14(4) of the WCA.
COn day of 1997 the Corporation issued an invitation to bid for the provision of services relevant to the management and determination of claims.
DThe Agent responded to the invitation to bid and, after negotiation, was determined to be a successful bidder.
EThis Agreement records the terms upon which the Agent has agreed to provide services relevant to the management and determination of claims.
THE PARTIES AGREE as follows:
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1.Definitions
In this Agreement:
"the Agents" means the aggregate (including where the context requires or admits the Agent) of the private sector bodies from whom the Corporation is, at the relevant time, receiving services relevant to the management and determination of claims.
"Agent's Functions" has the meaning given to that term in Clause 5.
"this Agreement" or "the Agreement" means the aggregate of the Claims Management Agreement and the Schedules and any amendment or addition thereto contemplated by such documents.
"Claim" means any form of assertion by a person to an entitlement to receive:
(a)money from a Nominated Employer which, if payable by that Nominated Employer, would be a liability which is insured by the Corporation pursuant to Section 105(1) of the WRCA; or
(b)compensation from the Corporation arising out of or in respect of employment of a person by a Nominated Employer,
and includes:
(c)such an assertion even if it is not successful;
(d)anything which is consequential upon such an assertion being successful;
(e)the entire amount that the person is or may become entitled to receive from the Nominated Employer or the Corporation whether or not a separate or further assertion of an entitlement to receive the same is made by the person.
"CPI" means the Consumer Price Index (All Groups) for Adelaide published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and if it ceases to be so published for any reason it shall be replaced by any replacement index which is still published and which most closely approximates the function of such Consumer Price Index.
"Code of Conduct" means the code of conduct to be followed by the Agent in performing its functions under this Agreement as initially detailed in Schedule B but also including any amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
"Commencement Date" means the [ ] day of [ ] 19[ ].
"Delegated Powers" means such of the functions or powers of the Corporation as are delegated to the Agent (subject to such conditions and limitations as may be determined by the Corporation) as initially detailed in Schedule I but also including any amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
"Employer" means an employer who is entitled to be insured by the Corporation against Claims under Section 105(1) of the WRCA other than an exempt employer or group of exempt employers or at the discretion of the Corporation an employer designated by the Corporation as a "self-managed employer" or a designation having the same or a similar purpose.
"Evaluation" (or "performance evaluation" or "self-evaluation") means the methodology and standards against which the Agent's compliance with the Relevant Law, this Agreement and any procedures, manuals or guidelines issued by the Corporation in the manner contemplated by this Agreement can be assessed and determined as initially detailed in Schedule C but also including any amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated in this Agreement.
"Event of Insolvency" in relation to an Agent means any of the following events, unless occurring solely for the purposes of reconstruction or reorganisation of the Agent with the prior approval of the Corporation (not to be unreasonably withheld):
(a)a liquidator, provisional liquidator, trustee, administrator, manager, receiver, receiver and manager or similar officer is appointed in respect of the Agent or any of its assets;
(b)an uncontested application is made to a court for an order, an order is made or a resolution is passed for the purpose of appointing an officer referred to in paragraph (a) or for winding up, or otherwise dissolving, the Agent or for implementing a scheme of arrangement for the Agent or for placing it under official management;
(c)a moratorium of any debts of the Agent or an official assignment or a composition or an arrangement, formal or informal, with its creditors or any similar proceeding or arrangement by which its assets are submitted to the control of its creditors is entered into, resolved to be entered into, ordered or declared;
(d)the Agent becomes, is declared or is deemed insolvent within the meaning of any law of any applicable jurisdiction or is unable to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they fall due;
(e)a notice is issued in respect of the Agent pursuant to Section 218 of the Income Tax Assessment Act, 1936 (Commonwealth);
(f)any distress, execution, attachment or other process affecting the Agent's assets to a material extent is made or levied against any asset of the Agent; or
(g)anything having a substantially similar effect to any of the events specified above happens under any law of any applicable jurisdiction.
"External Service Provider" means any person from whom the Agent obtains any services where, either:
(a)the Agent pays for those services by drawing a cheque on the WorkCover sub-account referred to in clause 9; or
(b)the Agent pays for those services and is reimbursed by the Corporation.
"External Service Providers Conditions" means the requirements of the Corporation as to the terms of engagement and use by the Agent of External Service Providers as initially detailed in Schedule J but also including any amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
"IDEAS" means the Corporation's computer system for claims management and includes any re-designation of that system or any system introduced as a supplement to or replacement of the system existing as at the commencement of this Agreement and includes DESKTOP.
"Nominated Employer" means an Employer who has selected or been allocated to the Agent in the manner determined by the Corporation as initially detailed in Schedule E but also including any amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
"Relevant Law" means:
(a)the WRCA and the WCA;
(b)any statutory instrument (within the meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1915) made under either the WRCA or the WCA;
(c)any Act or statutory instrument which is a "substitute" Act or statutory instrument (within the meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1915), of the foregoing Acts or statutory instruments;
(d)any other law (including the common law) capable of application to a Claim;
(e)any determination of the Corporation exercising a statutory power or discretion under the WRCA or the WCA; and
(f)the interpretation of any of the foregoing by a review authority or by a court;
as applicable in South Australia from time to time.
"Standards of Service" means the standards to be applied by the Agent when carrying out the Agent's Functions as initially detailed in Schedule A but also including any amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
"Term" means the term of this Agreement as specified in clause 3.1 and includes any extension of the term pursuant to clause 3.2.
"Worker" means a worker who is or was in a contract of service with a Nominated Employer.
"WRCA" means the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 as amended.
"WCA" means the WorkCover Corporation Act 1994 as amended.
Any word or term that has a defined meaning in the WRCA or the WCA shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the same meaning in this Agreement.
1.2.Interpretation Rules
In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears:
1.2.1.a reference to this Agreement is a reference to this Agreement as amended, varied, novated, supplemented or replaced from time to time;
1.2.2.a reference to any legislation or any provision of any legislation includes:
(a)all regulations, orders or instruments issued under the legislation or provision;
(b)any modification, consolidation, amendment, re-enactment, replacement or codification of such legislation or provision; and
(c)any substituted legislation or substituted provision within the meaning of Section 24 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1915 as amended.
1.2.3.words or expressions:
(a)importing the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
(b)importing a gender includes the other genders;
(c)denoting individuals include corporations, firms, unincorporated bodies, authorities and instrumentalities;
(d)given meaning in the body of this Agreement have the same meaning in the recitals.
1.2.4.a reference to a party to this Agreement or any other instrument includes that party's successors and permitted assigns;
1.2.5.where a word or phrase is defined or given meaning, any other part of speech or grammatical form has a corresponding meaning;
1.2.6.a reference to a clause number, schedule letter or annexure number is a reference to a clause, schedule or annexure of this Agreement;
1.2.7.a reference to $ or dollars is a reference to Australian dollars;
1.2.8.a reference to bankruptcy or winding up includes bankruptcy, winding up, liquidation, dissolution, becoming an insolvent under administration (as defined in section 9 of the Corporations Law), the appointment of an administrator and the occurrence of anything analogous or having a substantially similar effect to any of those conditions or matters under the law of any applicable jurisdiction/any applicable law.
1.3.Entire Agreement
This Agreement is the entire agreement between the parties as to its subject matter. It supersedes all prior agreements, representations, conduct and understandings. The parties acknowledge that they have not relied on any representation or conduct in deciding whether to enter into this Agreement, other than as expressly provided for in this Agreement, and that no right, interest or expectation shall arise other than that expressly provided for herein.
1.4.Amendments
No amendment of, nor addition to, this Agreement is binding unless it is in writing and executed by the parties to this Agreement or is given effect to under clause 1.6.
1.5.Headings
Any heading, index, table of contents or marginal note is for convenience only and does not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
1.6.Schedules, Recitals and Annexures
The Schedules, Recitals and Annexures to this Agreement form part of the Agreement and have effect as if set out in full in this Agreement. The Corporation may, subject to any operation of Clause 15, modify, amend or add to any of the Schedules or Annexures to this Agreement and any such modification, amendment or addition shall be subject to the operation of this clause 1.6.
STATEMENT OF INTENTIONS
2.1.Intention
The parties acknowledge that it is their express intention in entering into this Agreement to act consistently with:
(a)the Corporation's objects detailed in Section 12 of the WCA; and
(b)the objects of the WRCA detailed in Section 2(1) of the WRCA
by adopting an approach which is focussed on the fair and efficient performance of the Corporation's responsibilities. The Corporation and the Agent have agreed and will conduct themselves in the course of this Agreement consistently with those objects.
2.2.Interpretation
To the extent that the terms of this Agreement do not address a particular circumstance or are otherwise unclear or ambiguous in application in a particular case, those terms are to be interpreted and construed (so far as is consistent with the Relevant Law) by reference to the intention of the parties as described in this clause.
TERM
3.1.Initial Term
Subject to an earlier termination of this Agreement, the Agent has the right and the obligation to provide the Agent's Functions on the terms and conditions described in this Agreement for a period of [ ] years commencing on the Commencement Date and ending on the [ ] day of [ ] [ ].
3.2.Exercise of right of extension
Not earlier than twelve (12) months and not later than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Term the Corporation may extend the Term for a further period nominated for that purpose by the Corporation (but not exceeding three (3) years) by giving a notice to the Agent to that effect and which shall also nominate whether the remuneration payable to the Agent during the period of the extension is to be determined pursuant to clause 10.2 or 10.3 in which latter case the extension is subject to clause 10.3.
3.3.Terms applicable upon extension
Upon exercise by the Corporation of its right to extend the Term this Agreement will be deemed to be amended by amending clause 3.1 by deleting the date nominated as the date on which the Agreement ends and inserting in lieu the date falling at the expiration of the period referred to in the Corporation's notice given under clause 3.2 but in all other respects this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
CORPORATE REQUIREMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS
4.1.Agent's Functions to be exclusive business of Agent
The Agent shall not carry on any business other than as constituted by the provision of the Agent's Functions pursuant to this Agreement.
4.2.Not to use name "WorkCover"
The Agent cannot, under any circumstances, utilise the name "WorkCover" in either its legal or trading name or in any other manner that contravenes Section 26 of the WCA.
4.3.Notification of change of directors
The Agent shall promptly advise the Corporation in writing of any change to the composition of the Board of Directors of either the Agent or its immediate or ultimate holding company.
4.4.Notification of change of control
The Agent will notify the Corporation of:
(a)a change in the effective control of the Agent and its immediate or ultimate holding company; or
(b)a change in the direct or indirect ownership of the Agent; or
(c)a change exceeding 20% of the shareholding in any period of twelve months in the Agent's holding company.
For the purposes of this Agreement, a change in effective control means a change in the shareholding of the Agent, or its immediate or ultimate holding company, whereby the voting rights attaching to the shares the subject of that change is sufficient to alter the degree of control exercised in the Agent or its immediate or ultimate holding company by the owners of those shares.
4.5.Interest in other Agents
No person or entity having a direct or indirect interest in the Agent or any person or entity in a position to control, whether directly or indirectly, the Agent or its immediate or ultimate holding company shall without the approval of the Corporation have any interest, directly or indirectly or be in a position to control, whether directly or indirectly any of the other Agents.
4.6.Annual statement of Agent's resources
The Agent shall, at the commencement of this Agreement and thereafter annually, provide a statement to the Corporation of:
(a)the resources of the Agent which are applied in the performance of the Agent's Functions;
(b)a statement of what resources are provided by any other organisation or entity to the Agent in or in connection with the performance of the Agent's Functions; and
(c)a statement of the commercial arrangements for the supply of the resources referred to in (b) including details of any charges which the Agent is obliged to pay in respect of the supply of those resources.
4.7.Access to Agent's Records
The Agent agrees to provide the Corporation with full and unrestricted access to the Agent's accounts to the extent that the same describe the costs to the Agent of the performance of the Agent's Functions.
4.8.Maintain viable operation
The Agent must, when required by the Corporation, demonstrate to the Corporation's satisfaction a capacity to maintain at least such market share that is consistent with the ability of the Agent to meet the requirements of this Agreement and for the Corporation to efficiently and economically supervise the same. If the levies (excluding the effect of supplementary levies or remissions of levies) payable by the Nominated Employers in any three (3) consecutive months is less than One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) then (but without limitation) it is agreed that the Agent's market share contravenes this clause.
PROVISION OF THE AGENT'S FUNCTIONS
5.1.Scope of Agent's Functions
From the Commencement Date and during the Term, the Agent shall provide to the Corporation the services, functions and responsibilities to be performed and assumed by the Agent as described in this Agreement including any modification, alteration or deletion to the Schedules that may be made from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement ("the Agent's Functions").
5.2.Extension for recovery functions
The Corporation may prior to or on any anniversary of the Commencement Date elect to include within the Agent's Functions the functions contained in Annexure 2 to Schedule A in which event the following provisions shall apply:
(a)Schedule A shall be read as if Annexure 2 formed part of Part 3;
(b)Schedule I shall be read as if paragraph 7 of the Annexure to Schedule I was deleted;
(c)Schedule D shall be read as if the value to be attributed to C in the formula was the value relevant to the "Higher Rate"
to the intent that unless and until the Corporation so elects;
(d)Annexure 2 to Schedule A is to have no force or effect;
(e)Paragraph 5 of the Annexure to Schedule I is given full force and effect; and
(f)Schedule D shall be applied on the basis that the value to be attributed to C in the formula is the value relevant to the "Lower Rate".
5.3.Agent responsible for Resources
Except as to use of External Service Providers in the manner authorised by this Agreement, the Agent shall be responsible for providing, at its own expense, all personnel, goods, services, plant, equipment and other resources required by it in the performance of the Agent's Functions.
STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE OF THE AGENT'S FUNCTIONS
6.1.Compliance with Relevant Law and this Agreement
In providing the Agent's Functions the Agent shall:
(a)act in a manner consistent with the Relevant Law, including acting in a manner that ensures that the management and determination of the Claims against the Nominated Employers by the Agent on behalf of the Corporation discharges the Corporation's obligations in respect of those Claims under the Relevant Law without breach of the same; and
(b)comply with any guidelines, directions, procedural manuals and any modifications, additions or amendments to any of the Schedules to this Agreement issued by the Corporation from time to time for the purpose of executing its functions specified in Section 13 of the WCA.
6.2.The Standards of Service
The Agent shall ensure that the Agent's Functions are carried out to the highest possible standard and, at least, to the Standards of Service. The Standards of Service outline a minimum level of service that must be met by the Agent. The Standards of Service are not a limitation upon the level of service otherwise required in order for the Agent to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.
6.3.The Code of Conduct
The Agent shall observe the Code of Conduct.
6.4.Agent to perform Agent's Functions
While the Agent may allow a Nominated Employer to participate in managing Claims in respect of that Nominated Employer (subject to any relevant guidelines issued by the Corporation), the Agent may not sub-contract, assign or delegate any of its responsibilities for any of the Agent's Functions other than is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
6.5.Prohibition against assignment
It is expressly agreed that this Agreement is personal as between the Corporation and the Agent and is not capable of being assigned or transferred by the Agent or the Corporation unless, in the case of the Corporation, to the Crown in right of the State of South Australia or to any Minister, instrumentality, or agency of, the Crown in right of the State of South Australia.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
7.1.Agent Performance Evaluation Program
The performance of the Agent will be measured using procedures and guidelines published by the Corporation as the Agent Performance Evaluation Program.
7.2.Cessation of Agent Performance Evaluation Program
The Corporation reserves the right to amend or discontinue the Agent Performance Evaluation Program ("APEP") referred to in clause 7.1 in which event the Agent may be required by the Corporation to instigate a self-evaluation programme that establishes that the Agent satisfies the Standards of Service at the Agent's expense. The Corporation shall give the Agent at least three months' notice of a decision requiring the Agent to instigate such a self-evaluation programme.
7.3.Additional performance reporting
The Agent shall, at its own cost and in addition to its obligations under APEP, provide a report to the Corporation by its auditors on matters notified in writing by the Corporation from time to time.
7.4.Internal Audit
The Agent will be required to develop and implement an internal audit and quality assurance programme in a manner which, firstly, establishes that it satisfies the requirements of the Standards of Service and, secondly, complements the audit reports provided by the Agent's external auditors. The Agent must supply a report in accordance with the schedule established under APEP from time to time which identifies both the extent that the Agent has achieved the Standards of Service and highlights any failure to do the same.
7.5.Audits instigated by the Corporation
The Corporation shall be entitled to undertake a selective audit of the Agent to assess compliance with this Agreement using a risk based approach or (either as an alternative or in addition to such assessment) using an analysis of the information provided to the Corporation by the Agent as compared with the centralised database for all Agents or any other comparable or otherwise relevant information.
ACCOUNTING AND OTHER INFORMATION
8.1.Maintain adequate records
The Agent shall keep such accounting records as correctly record and explain the transactions concerning the financial position of the Claims which are the subject of the Agent's Function and maintain such records in accordance with the requirements of the Schedules and otherwise in accordance with the relevant accounting standards.
8.2.Provision of returns/reports to Corporation
The Corporation may require the Agent to supply a report (either on a regular or specific/individual basis) as to any matter relevant to the undertaking of the Agent's Functions. The Agent shall ensure the accounting returns and any information, data or reports required by the Corporation are accurate and are lodged with the Corporation within the times specified by the Corporation. Any such return or report may (but need not) be used or relied upon by the Corporation for the purpose of the evaluation of the Agent's performance of the Agent's Functions or as a basis for undertaking any further form of analysis, audit, review or evaluation of the Agent's performance of the Agent's Functions.
8.3.Declarations of payments
The Agent shall, at its own cost and at such intervals as the Corporation or a Nominated Employer determines, disclose by declaration to the Corporation or that Nominated Employer, the nature and amount of any payments made to the following classes of persons in respect of Claims in respect of that Nominated Employer (or generally in the case of the Corporation):
(a)workers;
(b)External Service Providers.
8.4.Information the property of the Corporation
The Agent agrees that all information that it receives from the Corporation, the Nominated Employers or workers or which it receives or creates in or in the course of providing the Agent's Functions shall be and remain the property of the Corporation. The Agent further agrees that:
(a)the Corporation shall be entitled, upon the giving of reasonable notice and subject to such conditions or requirements as may be necessary to preserve the continuity of the performance of the Agent's Functions and the ability of the Agent to comply with this Agreement, to enter upon the premises of the Agent and inspect and review the same including the taking of copies and other extracts of such documents or to require specific elements (including files) to be forwarded to the Corporation or to provide access to a nominated third party;
(b)the Corporation shall be entitled to have possession and control of the same at the expiration or sooner termination of this Agreement; and
(c)all information concerning completed or finalised Claims shall be delivered to the Corporation when so required by the Corporation.
8.5.Access by the Corporation's auditors
The Agent shall provide to the Corporation and its auditors (including the Auditor-General and the Corporation's internal audit staff) (collectively, "auditor representatives") access, at all reasonable times and after reasonable notice, to:
(a)the facilities from which the Agent is providing the Agent's Functions;
(b)the Agent's personnel providing the Agent's Functions and the External Service Providers; and
(c)data, records and systems relevant to the performance of its obligations relating to the Agent's Functions and the calculation and/or allocation of costs related thereto that are paid or reimbursed by the Corporation
for the purpose of:
(d)performing audits and inspections of the Corporation and its business;
(e)verifying the integrity of information stored or generated by the Corporation in respect of its statutory functions;
(f)examining systems that generate, modify and store such information;
(g)auditing the remuneration and other expenses charged to the Corporation under or as contemplated by this Agreement.
The foregoing audit rights shall include, to the extent applicable to the Agent's Functions and to charges therefor, technical reviews and audits of (i) practices and procedures, (ii) systems, (iii) information and data generated by the Agent and (iv) general controls and security practices and procedures, as well as any audits necessary to enable the Corporation to meet applicable regulatory requirements. The Agent shall give the Corporation's audit representatives such reasonable assistance as they require to perform the functions referred to in this paragraph. The Agent shall co-operate with the Corporation or its designees in connection with audit functions and with regard to examinations by regulatory authorities. The Corporation's audit representatives shall comply with the Agent's reasonable security and confidentiality requirements.
8.6.Basis of audit
The Corporation's rights under this clause to audit the remuneration payable to the Agent and the calculation and/or allocation of costs related to the costs and expenses incurred by the Agents in the performance of the Agent's Functions are limited (unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) to the extent necessary to verify that the remuneration and costs and expenses reimbursable by the Corporation and other amounts payable by the Corporation have been properly calculated and are properly chargeable to the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement.
8.7.Terms of engagement of External Service Providers
If the Agent engages an External Service Provider then the Agent shall ensure that its contract or arrangements with the External Service Provider gives the Corporation the same rights with respect to the conduct of audits of the External Service Provider's practices and procedures, systems, facilities, data and records as the Agent has agreed to give the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement.
8.8.Access to Agent's reports
(a)The Agent shall promptly make available to the Corporation relevant extracts of any review or audit conducted by the Agent or its holding company (including internal and external auditors), relating to any actual or suspected breach of this Agreement by the Agent or any actual or suspected overcharging or other material error in relation to any amounts payable by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement.
(b)If any audit or examination reveals that any amount included in or the total of any invoice as payable by the Corporation or paid by the Agent by drawing on the Agent's WorkCover sub-account referred to in Clause 9 is overstated by an amount in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) the Agent shall, in addition to refunding the excess, pay or reimburse the Corporation for the cost to the Corporation and/or the Corporation's auditor of the audit or examination. The Corporation may offset any amount owing or repayable by the Agent to the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement from any amount which is owing or payable by the Corporation to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
(c)Any restrictions on the rights of the Corporation with respect to audit and inspection set out in this clause are subject to, and do not limit, the rights and powers of the Auditor-General pursuant to any law.
8.9.Employee information
(a)At the Commencement Date and at the expiration of each subsequent period of six (6) months during the Term the Agent shall provide to the Corporation the following detail in respect of each employee of the Agent concerned with the performance of the Agent's Functions:
(i)surname, first and second names;
(ii)residential address;
(iii)residential telephone number; and
(iv)date of birth.
(b)The Corporation may only use the information provided under paragraph (a) for purposes associated with the prevention and detection of fraud against the Corporation.
(c)The Corporation shall restrict access to the information provided under paragraph (a) to personnel concerned with fraud prevention and detection.
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND EXPENSES
9.1.Use of Agent's WorkCover sub-account
The Agent shall pay monies lawfully due and payable in respect of the Claims or expenses incurred in the performance of the Agent's Functions in accordance with this Agreement by drawing cheques from a nominated WorkCover sub-account which is specific to the Agent in accordance with the Corporation's written procedures for the same (as reviewed from time to time) and providing them to their proper payees. It is further agreed that:
(a)information for drawing cheques to pay Claims or other authorised amounts shall be accurately entered into the Corporation's computer system either on line or batch with sufficient detail to identify each underlying cost item on a line by line basis;
(b)the Corporation will generate such cheques in a form incorporating the Agent's name or other designation and debit the Agent's sub-account directly.
9.2.Engaging of External Service Providers
The Agent shall comply with the External Service Providers Conditions when engaging and using External Service Providers.
9.3.Unauthorised payments by the Agent
(a)For the purposes of this clause a payment made by the Agent and reimbursed by the Corporation or made by the Corporation as a result of the Agent accessing the Agent's WorkCover sub-account will be regarded as an "unauthorised payment" if any one or more of the following qualifications are met:
(i)the payment is made without deduction from or set-off of any amount which the Corporation is legally obliged to deduct or set-off and where the fact of such legal obligation is or ought reasonably to have been known to the Agent;
(ii)the payment is made in excess of a quantum which is prescribed by the Relevant Law or any exercise by the Corporation of its rights under Schedule J;
(iii)the payment is one which the Agent knows or ought reasonably to have known that the Corporation is not legally obliged to make (including without limitation the payment of any accounts more than once);
(iv)the payment is made by the Agent in breach of this Agreement including without limitation a payment made unnecessarily, without authorisation or contrary to the direction of the Corporation.
(b)An Agent will, for the purposes of this clause, be taken to know a particular matter if it is known by an employee, officer or solicitor of the Agent or evidence or material of the same is contained within any documentary or electronic material or information held by or available to the Agent or any instructions of any form provided to the Agent. An Agent will be taken as being ought reasonably to know a particular matter if (but without limitation) an alert or like device on any computer system available to the Agent draws attention to that matter whether in a specific or general form.
(c)The Agent must notify the Corporation if an unauthorised payment has occurred within such periods or intervals as the Corporation determines.
(d)The Agent must, unless a contrary agreement is made between the Corporation and the Agent, pay to the Corporation an amount equivalent to the unauthorised payment. If the Agent's payment to the Corporation is made later than thirty (30) days after the unauthorised payment was expended by the Corporation then the Agent shall, unless a contrary agreement is made between the Corporation and the Agent, pay interest at the prescribed rate for the purposes of Section 71(i)(a) of the WRCA from the expiration of the thirty (30) day period until the date of payment to the Corporation.
(e)If and only if the Agent makes the payment referred to in paragraph (d) then:
(i)the Agent may exercise its rights of recovery of the unauthorised payment from any relevant third party; and
(ii)the Corporation shall pay to the Agent any amount that it receives by way of repayment of the unauthorised payment (other than the payment made by the Agent under paragraph (d)).
(f)The Agent shall report to the Corporation the amount of any recovery from a third party of an unauthorised payment.
(g)Notwithstanding anything else contained in this clause 9 the Agent shall pay to the Corporation any amount received by way of a recovery or reimbursement of an unauthorised payment if the Agent has not paid to the Corporation an amount equal to the full amount of the unauthorised payment.
10.REMUNERATION
10.1.Calculation of remuneration
Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, in consideration of the performance during the Term of the Agent's Functions by the Agent, the Corporation shall pay to the Agent the remuneration calculated in the manner specified in Schedule D.
10.2.Adjustment of the Agent's remuneration upon extension of the Term by reference to CPI movements
If the Corporation exercises a right under clause 3.2 to extend the Term and nominates that the remuneration payable to the Agent during the period of that extension is to be determined in accordance with clause 10.2 then the remuneration payable in respect of the period of that extension shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:
Where:
A is the monthly fee payable to the Agent during the period of the extension;
B is the amount that would have been payable to the Agent under Schedule D in respect of the relevant month but for the operation of this clause 10.2;
C is the latest published CPI for a full calendar quarter preceding the expiration of the month for which the Agent's remuneration is being determined;
D is the CPI for the full calendar quarter ending on or immediately preceding the midpoint of the initial period of the Term or, if clause 10.3 has applied to any extension of the Term, the period of the last of any such extension.
10.3.Adjustment of the Agent's Remuneration upon extension of the Term by negotiation
If the Corporation exercises a right under clause 3.2 to extend the Term and nominates that the remuneration payable to the Agent during the period of such extension is to be determined in accordance with clause 10.3 then, not later than 6 months prior to the date upon which it is intended that the period of extension should commence, the Corporation and the Agent shall agree what adjustment, if any, to the Agent's remuneration should apply for the period of such extension. It is expressly agreed that the process by which the Corporation and the Agent attempt to agree such remuneration may include the Agent participating in a bidding process with other Agents (or some of them) or third parties which are not Agents. If there shall be no binding and enforceable agreement between the Agent and the Corporation by that time as to the remuneration to be payable to the Agent then, notwithstanding the operation of clause 3.2 and the notice given by the Corporation, there shall be no period of extension of this Agreement and the Agreement shall come to an end as if the Corporation had not issued the relevant notice under clause 3.2.
10.4.Adjustment of the Agent's remuneration to reflect changed circumstances
In the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) either the Agent or the Corporation or in the circumstance referred to in paragraph (c) the Corporation may require an adjustment of the Agent's remuneration (each such circumstance being an "Adjustment Event"):
(a)a change to the Relevant Law which substantially increases or decreases the net overall cost to the Agent of performing the Agent's Functions (assuming for that purpose that the Agent will use available best practice to reduce the cost of providing the Agent's Functions);
(b)an amendment by the Corporation of a Schedule to this Agreement which has the effect of substantially increasing or decreasing the net overall cost to the Agent of performing the Agent's Functions (assuming for that purpose that the Agent will use available best practice to reduce the cost of providing the Agent's Functions) other than any amendment which is designed to and substantially has the effect of redressing or ameliorating the consequences of a failure by the Agent to perform the Agent's Functions in a manner or to an extent which satisfies the requirements of this Agreement;
(c)the use by the Agent of External Service Providers to an extent or in a manner that replaces or duplicates work within the scope of the Agent's obligation to perform the Agent's Functions and so increases the net overall cost to the Corporation of the Agent's performance of the Agent's Functions; or
(d)a change to the basis of the calculation of levies payable by employers which substantially affects the calculation of the Agent's remuneration.
10.5.Determination of quantum of adjustment
In the event that either party requires an adjustment of the Agent's remuneration because of the occurrence of an Adjustment Event the Agent and the Corporation shall negotiate in good faith with a view to agreeing an adjustment to the Agent's remuneration. If the parties are unable to agree as to the entitlement to or quantum of the adjustment then the entitlement to (if in dispute) and quantification (in either case) of the adjustment of the Agent's remuneration ("the Dispute") shall be determined by the Minister of the Crown to whom has been committed the administration of the WRCA ("Minister") conducted in accordance with the following procedures:
(a)Either the Agent or the Corporation may refer the Dispute to the Minister under this clause provided that no referral to the Minister may be undertaken within 12 months of the last to occur of any of the following:
(i)the commencement of this Agreement;
(ii)the commencement of the last extension of the term of this Agreement where the remuneration payable to the Agent during the period of that extension has been determined in accordance with Clause 10.3;
(iii)the date of the last preceding referral of any other matter for determination by the Minister under this clause; or
(iv)the date of the last agreement, if any, by the Agent and the Corporation to adjust the Agent's remuneration because of the occurrence of an Adjustment Event.
(b)Within thirty (30) days of a Dispute being referred to the Minister for arbitration under this clause the Agent and the Corporation must each submit to the Minister its proposal for the adjustment of the Agent's remuneration. The proposal must be in a form which indicates the precise extent of the proposed uniform adjustment to both elements of variable C in the formula specified in Schedule D and the Minister may require a party to clarify a proposal if it does not do so. If a party fails to submit to the Minister a proposal that complies with this clause then the Minister must give a notice to that party requiring that party to submit a complying proposal to the Minister within a further seven (7) days. If only one party submits a complying proposal within the further time so allowed then the Minister shall determine the dispute in accordance with the proposal that has been submitted by the other party. If neither party has submitted a complying proposal within the time required then the Minister shall determine the dispute on the basis that there is no adjustment of the Agent's remuneration. Where there is a dispute as to the entitlement of a party to require an adjustment of the Agent's remuneration, the submission of a proposal by the other party shall not prejudice that party's ability to argue that the other party is not entitled to require an adjustment to the Agent's remuneration.
(c)If the Minister receives complying proposals from both parties then the Minister shall disclose each party's proposal to the other and, unless the Corporation and the Agent jointly instruct the Minister to the contrary, the Minister shall appoint a mediator who shall facilitate negotiations between the Corporation and the Agent to agree an adjustment to the Agent's remuneration. The determination by the Minister shall not proceed unless either the parties jointly instruct the Minister to proceed or the mediator provides a certificate to the Minister to the effect that the mediator is satisfied that no further useful purpose would be served by continuing negotiations for the adjustment of the Agent's remuneration. The costs of the mediator shall be borne equally by the Agent and the Corporation.
(d)The Corporation and the Agent may each, within seven (7) days of either instructing the Minister to proceed or the mediator providing a certificate to the Minister that no further useful purpose would be served in continuing negotiations, give a notice to the Minister nominating that it is their intention to amend their proposal. If, within the seven day period the Minister receives such notices from the Corporation and the Agent, the Minister shall notify both parties accordingly and both parties shall be entitled within a further period of seven (7) days after such notification to provide an amended proposal which shall then become their proposal for the purposes of the determination by the Minister. If the Minister has only received one such notice during the initial seven day period then the Minister shall notify both parties accordingly and:
(i)the party who gave the notice shall be entitled within a further period of seven (7) days after notification from the Minister to submit an amended proposal to the Minister which shall then become its proposal for the purposes of the arbitration; and
(ii)if the party who gave the notice submits an amended proposal to the Minister the Minister shall provide a copy of the same to the other party and that other party shall be entitled within a further period of seven (7) days after receiving the copy of the amended proposal to amend its proposal and that proposal shall become its proposal for the purposes of the arbitration.
Any amended proposal must:
(iii)be a proposal that complies with paragraph (c) and, if not, shall be treated as not amending the initial proposal;
(iv)in the case of the Corporation be a proposal to increase the Agent's remuneration from that proposed in the Corporation's initial proposal and, in the case of the Agent, be a proposal to decrease the Agent's remuneration from that proposed in the Agent's initial proposal; and
(v)be submitted to the Minister within the time required and be provided by the Minister to the other party so that, as at the commencement of the arbitration, both parties are in receipt of a copy of the other party's final proposal.
(e)A decision of the Minister under this clause will be final and binding upon the Corporation and the Agent as to the determination of the Dispute and will not be subject to challenge or appeal in Court or otherwise.
(f)The Corporation and the Agent must continue to perform their obligations under this Agreement in a timely fashion notwithstanding that they have been unable to agree as to the adjustment to the Agent's remuneration or that the same is subject to determination by the Minister.
(g)The Minister shall apply the following criteria in determining the relevant adjustment:
(i)the Minister may only select as the outcome of the determination, a final proposal put by either of the Corporation or the Agent;
(ii)the Minister must select whichever proposal more closely accords with the Minister's assessment of the adjustment of the Agent's remuneration which satisfies the requirements of this Agreement ("the Nominal Outcome");
(iii)the Nominal Outcome must be one which adjusts, if at all, the remuneration payable to the Agent taking into account all the Adjustment Events relied on by the parties to the dispute and which have occurred after the last of the dates referred to in paragraph (a) above and before the referral of the dispute to the Minister;
(iv)the Nominal Outcome shall not reassess or re-value the Agent's remuneration to the extent that the same reflects remuneration agreed between the Agent and the Corporation for the performance of the Agent's Functions other than to have regard to any circumstances expressly permitted by clause 10.4.
(v)no increase or decrease shall be determined or allowed if, by virtue of the operation of Schedule D, a sufficient allowance has been made for the Adjustment Event or, if an allowance in part, then the Nominal Outcome shall be adjusted to allow for the extent to which the operation of Schedule D has allowed for the Adjustment Event.
10.6.Amendment of Schedule D
Schedule D shall be deemed to be amended so as to give effect to any adjustment of the Agent's remuneration:
(a)agreed by the Agent and the Corporation; or
(b)determined by the Minister
with effect as and from the date so agreed or determined for that purpose.
11.COMPUTER SYSTEMS
The Agent will comply with the Corporation's requirements as are initially specified in Schedule F and any modifications, amendments or additions to the same that may be made by the Corporation from time to time in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
12.SECURITY
12.1.Provision of appropriate security system
The Agent is to ensure that it has in place at all times during the period of this Agreement an appropriate security system which ensures the confidentiality of all information in its custody and possession obtained by it in the performance of the Agent's Functions including without limitation any information provided by the Corporation which is designated confidential and any person's Tax File Number.
12.2.Pre-commencement procedure
The Agent must, when required, satisfy the Corporation that its security system meets the requirements of clause 12.1 before the commencement of the operation of this Agreement.
12.3.Comply with Section 112 of the WRCA
The Agent agrees that it shall comply and cause or procure its employees, External Service Providers and agents to comply with the provisions of Section 112(1) of the WRCA and shall not divulge information in a manner which is not authorised by Section 112(2) of the WRCA and shall only disclose information of the type authorised by Section 112(2) with the express written permission of the Corporation.
12.4.Information relevant to the administration of the WorkCover Scheme
If an Agent:
(a)has information which in the opinion of the Agent, may be relevant to the administration of the WRCA; or
(b)believes that the Corporation or another of the Agents has or may have information relevant to the performance of the Agent's Functions
the Agent shall advise the Corporation and the Corporation shall take such steps to deal with or obtain such information as it considers appropriate.
12.5.Indemnity
The Agent indemnifies the Corporation against any claims, suits, proceedings, damages or losses arising from, or as a result of, any breach by the Agent of this clause 12.
13.TRANSITIONAL AND OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
13.1.Accreditation of staff
Staff of the Agent carrying out functions associated with the delivery of the Agent's Functions must, as at the commencement of this Agreement, hold the relevant accreditation determined for that purpose by the Corporation or operate under such transitional arrangements that are approved for that purpose by the Corporation. Accredited staff of the Agent shall be permitted or directed by the Agent to be engaged or employed in any duties or functions not concerned with the performance of the Agent's Functions without the consent of the Corporation.
13.2.Provision of certificate of readiness
The Agent cannot commence to perform any function under this Agreement until a 'Certificate of Readiness' as detailed in Schedule H has been completed.
14.DELEGATIONS
The Corporation delegates the Delegated Powers to the Agent to exercise during the Term subject to the provisions of the WCA and the WRCA and the exceptions and conditions determined from time to time by the Corporation as initially referred to in Schedule I on the basis that the making of this delegation shall not exclude or limit the Corporation's power to exercise any power or function so delegated.
15.CONSULTATION
15.1.Consultation as to policy and procedure
The Corporation and the Agent agree that they will engage in consultative processes which are to be used in instances where the Corporation is developing policy and procedures which are to be implemented pursuant to this Agreement and to provide mechanisms for early intervention and quick resolution of any matters of concern.
15.2.Example of Consultative Process
As an example of the process referred to in clause 15.1, the Corporation and the Agent agree that the process by which the Corporation develops its position as to the application of this Agreement in respect of the nature, extent and quality of the Agent's Functions will include consultation between the Corporation and the Agent.
16.NO GOODWILL
16.1.No goodwill in Agent's Functions or Nominated Employers
The Agent acknowledges that it will neither create nor acquire any goodwill in the undertaking of the Agent's Functions or in respect of the Nominated Employers.
16.2.No right of renewal or extension
The Agent has no right, claim or entitlement to a renewal or extension of this Agreement (whether or not the Corporation exercises a right to extend the term of any of the agreements it has with other Agents).
16.3.Corporation may enter into further Claims Management Agreements
The Corporation retains the right to enter into further agreements from time to time with respect to the receipt of services relevant to the management and determination of Claims.
17.CO-OPERATION
Without diminishing the obligations of the parties elsewhere under this Agreement:
(a)each party shall co-operate with the other to achieve the objectives of this Agreement and the due performance by each of the parties of their respective obligations under this Agreement; and
(b)each party shall participate fully in the activities of the various committees and working groups formed for the purposes of the activities contemplated by this Agreement, and shall provide all necessary and reasonable assistance, support and reserves to such committees and groups as to facilitate the discharge of their functions and duties in accordance with the spirit of this Agreement.
18.BROKERS
18.1.Definition of "Broker"
A person acting as an Agent or intermediary as between the Agent and an Employer shall, in this clause, be called a "Broker".
18.2.Certain payments to Brokers prohibited
An Agent may not make a payment to a Broker to do anything in or in connection with the Agent's Functions.
18.3.Payments to Brokers not basis for adjustment of remuneration
Nothing paid by an Agent to a Broker under any circumstances will be treated as expenses of the Agent which are relevant to any consideration as to whether there should be an adjustment of the remuneration payable to the Agent in the manner referred to in clause 10 of this Agreement.
19.TERMINATION PRIOR TO EXPIRY OF TERM
19.1.Termination on Failure of Authorisation
This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without either party having any claim or entitlement against the other party (other than may have already accrued), if this agreement ceases to be authorised in the manner required by Section 14(3) of the WCA.
19.2.Termination on Bankruptcy
If an Event of Insolvency occurs the Corporation may terminate this Agreement forthwith by a notice in writing to that effect to the Agent.
19.3.Force Majeure
If for any reason:
(a)the Corporation ceases to substantially perform the functions under the WCA and the WRCA which it performs at the commencement of this Agreement; or
(b)the Commonwealth of Australia or any statutory body established by the Commonwealth of Australia offers a form of workers compensation indemnity to entities to which it does not currently offer the same so as to materially affect the extent of the application of the WorkCover Scheme in South Australia; or
(c)there is any other like adverse change to the circumstances currently applicable to the WorkCover Scheme in South Australia which is beyond the control of either the Agent or the Corporation
then the Corporation may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than three (3) months' notice in writing of its intention so to do to the Agent in which event neither the Corporation nor the Agent shall have a claim against the other in respect of any matter other than an entitlement that arose prior to the effective date of such termination.
19.4.Interaction with Schedule G
Nothing contained in this clause 19 limits or otherwise affects the operation of Schedule G.
20.DEFAULT PROCEDURES
The Corporation and the Agent agree to comply with the procedures contained in Schedule G.
21.STEP-IN RIGHTS
21.1.Step-in Rights
The Corporation may, at any time after giving notice to the Agent of its intention and grounds to do so, exercise Step-in Rights as described in clause 21.2, if and to the extent the Corporation considers in its sole discretion necessary (having regard to any other courses of action available to it pursuant to this Agreement):
(a)to deal with any circumstance which in the opinion of the Corporation is best dealt with by the Corporation directly rather than by the Agent on its behalf;
(b)to remedy, mitigate or avoid any adverse effects of a material breach by the Agent of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
21.2.Permitted Steps
Each of the following constitute Step-in Rights exercisable by the Corporation, either by itself or through its nominee of whom it has given notice to the Agent, in accordance with this clause:
(a)full-time or part-time management, or carrying out, of the management and determination of a Claim, an element of a Claim or Claims of a particular class;
(b)total or partial performance of the Agent's Functions;
(c)directing the Agent to take such steps as the Corporation considers necessary or desirable in relation to a Claim or Claims of a particular class or the provision of the Agent's Functions (in which case the Agent shall comply with each such direction);
(d)such other steps as the Corporation considers, in its absolute discretion, necessary or desirable in the circumstances; and
(e)ceasing to exercise any of the foregoing steps.
21.3.Assistance
The Agent shall assist the Corporation or its nominee to the extent that the Agent is reasonably able in the exercise of Step-in Rights including, without limitation, by allowing the Corporation or its nominee to use any or all of the Agent's files relevant to the claims, systems and procedure and equipment and by making the Agent's personnel available to provide assistance as requested by the Corporation.
21.4.Costs
(a)If the Corporation exercises Step-in Rights as a result of any material breach by the Agent of its obligations under this Agreement:
(i)the Agent shall reimburse the Corporation for any costs or expenses reasonably incurred by the Corporation in exercising those rights (either itself or through its nominee);
(ii)the Agent shall be responsible for any costs incurred by the Agent in consequence of the exercise of those rights by the Corporation, including the cost of providing assistance pursuant to clause 21.3; and
(iii)to the extent that the Agent is relieved of its obligation to perform certain of the Agent's Functions pursuant to clause 21.5, the Corporation shall be entitled to deduct from the remuneration otherwise payable to the Agent such amount as the Corporation reasonably determines is fairly attributable to such of the Agent's Functions as the Agent is relieved from performing.
(b)If the Corporation exercises Step-in Rights for any other reason, the Corporation shall reimburse the Agent its direct costs incurred in providing assistance to the Corporation or its nominee in accordance with clause 21.3.
21.5.Suspension of Obligations
If the Corporation exercises Step-in Rights, the Agent is relieved of its obligations under this Agreement during the period in which the Corporation continues to exercise Step-in Rights to the extent that performance of the same would conflict with or is otherwise precluded by anything done by the Corporation in the exercise of such Step-in Rights but otherwise the obligations of the Agent under this Agreement shall be unaffected. The exercise by the Corporation of its Step-in Rights shall:
(a)not constitute a waiver by it of any rights against the Agent; or
(b)operate to relieve the Agent from liability for any act or omission prior to the exercise by the Corporation of such rights.
22.WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
22.1.Warranty as to Capacity
The Agent warrants that it has the skill, facilities, capacity and staff necessary to perform the Agent's Functions effectively, efficiently and economically and so as to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement;
22.2.Warranty as to Staff
The Agent warrants that subject to Schedule E it will ensure that:
(a)only staff that have the appropriate accreditation will have charge of, and maintain close supervision of, each Claim which is the subject of the Agent's Functions; and
(b)such staff in aggregate are able and are available to perform all of the functions to be performed by the Agent under this Agreement in compliance with the terms of the same.
22.3.Warranty as to Year 2000 compliance
The Agent warrants that all of its systems and services used in the performance of the Agent's Functions are and will be unaffected by the occurrence of the year 2000.
23.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
23.1.Waiver
A party's failure or delay to exercise a power or right is not a waiver of that right, and the exercise of a power or right does not preclude the future exercise of that or any other power or right. No waiver or concession as to the application or effect of this Agreement or anything contemplated to be done pursuant to this Agreement shall have any force or effect if not in writing.
23.2.Law
The law of this Agreement is the law of the State of South Australia, and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of South Australia.
23.3.Costs
Each party will bear its own costs in relation to the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement. However, except as expressly provided by this Agreement, the cost of performing an obligation is to be borne by the party concerned.
23.4.Further acts
The parties will do all things and execute all documents required to permit or facilitate the performance of the activities contemplated by this Agreement.
EXECUTION
EXECUTED by the parties as an Agreement.
THE COMMON SEAL of WORKCOVER CORPORATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA was affixed in accordance with a decision of the board of management:
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THE COMMON SEAL of
was affixed in accordance with its articles of association:
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SCHEDULE A-AGENT'S FUNCTIONS
Part 1—Structure and Effect of this Schedule
This Schedule is divided into Parts 1 to 5 which, when read together in accordance with Part 1, describe the totality of the functions which must be performed by the Agent pursuant to the Agreement ("the Agent's Functions").
1.1.Interaction of the Parts of this Schedule
The Parts of this Schedule are to be read and will operate in the following manner:
Part 1—describes the interaction of the Parts of the Schedule.
Part 2—describes in general terms the functions to be performed by the Agent.
Part 3—describes in detail nominated functions to be performed by the Agent which:
•are agreed to fall within the general description contained in Part 2 but are not an exhaustive description of all the functions that fall within Part 2;
•are not to be read as limiting the scope of the description of the functions contained in Part 2; and
•if in conflict with the general description contained in Part 2, override the general description to the extent of such conflict.
Part 4—describes in general terms the service standards to be observed by the Agent when performing the Agent's Functions under this Agreement on the basis that:
•if the detailed standards of service referred to in Part 5 do not apply, the general principles must be applied to determine the required standard of service;
•Parts 4 and 5 shall be read together so as to give an overall statement of the required standards of service of the Agent when performing the Agent's Functions.
Part 5—describes in detail nominated standards of service to be observed by the Agent which:
•are agreed to fall within the general description of the service standards contained in Part 4 but are not an exhaustive description of all of the requirements of the standards of service described in Part 4;
•are not to be read as limiting the scope of the description of the service standards contained in Part 4;
•if in conflict with the general service standards contained in Part 4, override the general service standards to the extent of such conflict;
•are intended to correlate to the nominated functions contained in Part 3 on the basis that they will establish the measurement criteria by which the Corporation will assess the extent to which those nominated services have been provided to the nominated required standard.
1.2.Interaction of this Schedule with the balance of the Agreement
This Schedule will also be read as subject to the operation of the balance of the Agreement on the basis that:
•the Agent shall, in addition to fulfilling the requirements of this Schedule, do such other things as may be required to satisfy the balance of the Agreement insofar as it may apply to the Agent's Functions and standards of service;
•if the balance of the Agreement is in conflict with this Schedule (in that compliance with one requires a breach of the other) this Schedule will override the balance of the Agreement to the extent of such conflict.
Part 2—General Description of the Agent's Functions
2.1.Overall Description of Claims Functions
The Agent must carry out the entirety of the functions which are necessary for or incidental to the receipt, assessment, determination, payment, administration, review, finalisation and recording of a Claim on the basis that the same includes, subject to any contrary provision of this Agreement:
•all the things that the Corporation has done, prior to entering into agreements authorised under Section 14(4) of the WCA in respect of the receipt, assessment, determination, payment, administration, review, finalisation and recording of a Claim;
•all the things that are necessary for or incidental to the efficient and economic administration of the Relevant Law with respect to a Claim;
•all the things which might become necessary for or incidental to the receipt, assessment, determination, payment, administration, review, finalisation and recording of a Claim by reason of any change in the Relevant Law;
•all the things specified in or contemplated by the description of the service standards contained in Parts 4 and 5 of this Schedule;
•the giving of effect to such procedures, measures and actions as the Corporation reasonably considers necessary in order to investigate, determine, restrict and prevent fraud or excessive or dishonest Claims or to take such other actions, for or in relation to Claims or payments of compensation pursuant to the WRCA and to obtain information, particulars and statistics from such sources as the Corporation may consider necessary or desirable.
Subject to the operation of Clause 5.2 the Agent's Functions do not include the recovery of moneys due or claimable by the Corporation under the provisions referred to in paragraph 5 of the Annexure to Schedule I except to the extent that the Corporation may authorise the Agent to use those powers generally or in respect of any particular case.
2.2.Overall description of Claims Recording and Reporting Functions
The Agent must record and retain all material data concerning any Claim which is the subject of the Agent's Functions and submit reports and provide access to that data in such manner as the Corporation may reasonably require from time to time including:
•the provision of monthly budget forecasts for all Claims the subject of the Agent's Functions including a commentary supporting variations to the forecasts;
•the entry of all Claims the subject of the Agent's Functions on IDEAS;
•the processing via IDEAS of approved payments of Claims;
•an ongoing analysis of Claims by payment type sufficient to monitor relevant trends;
•a daily update in the general ledger;
•quarterly performance reports;
•any information required to be supplied in order to meet the Board's or the Corporation's reporting requirements;
•any information that may be required by the Statutory Advisory Committee; and
•any information required to be supplied to the Minister, a House of Parliament or any committee of the Parliament or to respond to any question concerning the operation of the Corporation which has been asked in Parliament.
2.3.Overall description of Claims Analysis Functions
The Agent must prepare such qualitative or quantitative analysis of the data required to be recorded and retained by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement as the Corporation may reasonably require from time to time.
2.4.Overall description of Risk Management Functions
The Agent must satisfy the Corporation's minimum requirements for injury prevention, risk management and other occupational health and safety services, principally:
•Promote Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) to employers and workers;
•Work with employers to increase their awareness of their Claims experience (including Claim costs and causes);
•Reporting to the Corporation serious occupational, health and safety issues, practices and breaches of the Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act or the regulations made thereunder that have come to the attention of the Agent.
The Performance Standards are not all encompassing and are there to provide the Agent with some focus when testing for compliance. The Agent must comply with all aspects of the Relevant Law and this Agreement, the Corporation's policies, procedures, guidelines, manuals and directives.
A claim/case being tested must satisfy ALL aspects of compliance (ie Relevant Law, this Agreement etc) before that claim/case is considered to have "passed" the test for compliance.
2.PERFORMANCE STANDARDS—LEVELS
The performance that is required to be achieved by the Agent to meet the relevant standard or to achieve a nominated level is as specified in the Performance Standards.
3.COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION (ATTACHMENT 1)
For the purpose of clause 2.2 of Schedule C, Compliance Certifications must be provided by the Agent in respect of performance evaluations conducted. This certification is to be made on or in accordance with the form at Attachment 1.
4.SAMPLING METHODOLOGY (ATTACHMENTS 2, 3 AND 4)
The sampling methodology the Agent must use is detailed in the tables at Attachments 2 and 3. These tables specify:
•the minimum sample size to be tested for various population ranges (Attachment 2);
•minimum success rates for evaluation (Attachment 3).
Attachment 4 specifies the maximum number of claims/cases in the sample permitted to "fail" the validation test when the Corporation is validating the levels of achievement under the Performance Standards certified by the Agent based upon:
•a one-sided 95% confidence interval;
•the principle that sample sizes will be calculated separately for each measure, in accordance with the following algorithm, where e1 is the smallest proportion required by any element of the standard and N is the population size:
If N<20, then Sample Size = N Otherwise,
(rounded up)
To illustrate the results of this formula, the following sample sizes would apply to a measure for which the smallest element is 80%;
Pop. Size
Sample Size
19
19
45
36
60
45
160
84
240
101
320
113
400
121
1030
149
Max.
174
Where the particular requirements of a performance measure makes the modification of the sampling methodology necessary, the Agent and the Corporation may agree on such modifications from time to time. A more comprehensive set of sample tables can be found at Attachment 2.
Use of the one-sided confidence interval requires set minimum success rates The minimum success rate required in the sample to pass each element will be calculated in accordance with the following algorithm, where ek is the success rate required by the measure for the kth element, and e1 is the smallest success rate required by the measure for any of the k elements:
If N < 20, then Minimum Success Rate = ek Otherwise,
Minimum success rates are tabulated in Attachment 3.
Where the Corporation carries out a follow-up evaluation to validate the results certified by the Agent in respect of its self-evaluation, the Corporation may use one or more of the following approaches:
(a)Take a sample of the files used by the Agent in its self-evaluation, divide that sample into groups and carry out the validation using a 'stop-start' approach as described at Attachment 4;
(b)Review the entire sample used by the Agent;
(c)Take a fresh sample which may, at the Corporation's discretion, exclude those claims already evaluated by the Agent.
Where, in the validation of the Agent's certified performance under any standard the Corporation takes a fresh sample under (c) above, the results of the fresh sample establish with at least 95% confidence that the Agent has not achieved the level stated on the Agent's compliance certificate and:
(a)the results of the Corporation's fresh evaluation are statistically significantly different to those stated on the Agent's compliance certificate at a 99% confidence level (irrespective of whether the Corporation has exercised its discretion to exclude claims already evaluated by the Agent)—the Agent's findings under the first sample will be discarded and the Corporation's findings on the second sample will be the recorded level of the Agent's performance in respect of that standard; or
(b)the results of the Corporation's fresh evaluation are not statistically significantly different to the results of the Agent's evaluation at a 99% confidence level (irrespective of whether the Corporation has exercised its discretion to exclude claims already evaluated by the Agent)—the results of both samples shall be combined and the combined results will be the recorded level of the Agent's performance in respect of that standard.
5.DETERMINING POPULATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
When selecting the sample to be used for evaluation, the Corporation, if it is providing the samples from the Corporation's central database, or the Agent, if the Agent is selecting the sample, must ensure that the population from which the sample is to be selected represents the relevant population for the objectives of the evaluation.
For example:
•for the element of the Performance Standards dealing with the determination of claims within 10 days, the population should be all claims received during the period under review;
•for the element of the Performance Standards dealing with the payment of entitlements to workers (refer paragraphs 8 and 9), the population should encompass major categories—eg Weekly Payments, Lump Sum payments etc—and the sample sizes selected must be calculated in accordance with paragraph 4 above.
Where it is not providing the sample lists, the Corporation will provide advice should the Agent be uncertain of the appropriate population for any evaluation. Where the Agent has used an inappropriate population definition for an evaluation, the Corporation can require the evaluation to be reperformed.
6.RANDOM SAMPLING
In all evaluation, unless otherwise directed by the Corporation, the Agent must use a random sampling approach. Random sampling is defined as follows:
"Random selection is the selection of a sample in such a way that, for a given sample size, every possible combination of sampling units (claims, payments, employers, etc.) in that population has an equal chance of being selected. Random selection eliminates subjective factors from the selection, including any conscious or unconscious bias that might affect the likelihood of certain sampling units not being selected.
There are several ways to select random samples, including:
•random selection software routines;
•random number tables;
•computerised random number generators.
Random selection methods do not include the haphazard selection of files manually from filing cabinets or manually selecting every "nth" file from a filing system". Where samples are provided by the Corporation, they will be selected using random selection software routines.
7.PERFORMANCE EVALUATION DOCUMENTATION
The Agent will maintain appropriate documentation to provide a clear trail detailing the evaluation work performed. The documentation should be adequate to enable the Corporation to reperform any of the evaluation work performed by the Agent's auditors. The documentation will also comply with the standards set by the Corporation in line with normal claims management practices.
ATTACHMENT 1
CERTIFICATION
ATTACHMENT 2
SAMPLE TABLES
ATTACHMENT 3
MINIMUM SUCCESS RATES
Success Rate Required to Pass Element
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
Smallest Element = 80%
75.00%
80.54%
86.25%
92.28%
100.00%
Smallest Element = 85%
n.a.
80.00%
85.80%
91.95%
100.00%
Smallest Element = 90%
n.a.
n.a.
85.00%
91.37%
100.00%
Smallest Element = 95%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
90.00%
100.00%
ATTACHMENT 4
VALIDATION SAMPLING METHODOLOGY
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ERRORS ALLOWED
Number of files subject to validation
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
175–200
40
65
90
110
130
145
160
175
190
135–174
40
65
85
105
120
135
150
160
95–134
40
60
80
95
110
120
55–94
35
55
70
80
35–54
30
40
FULLY ENUMERATE
30–34
25
<30
NB:
This table only shows the minimum number of claims which must pass the validation test before the Agent's certificate of compliance is validated. The Corporation reserves the right to evaluate a greater number of claims up to and including full enumeration of the original sample.
SCHEDULE D
REMUNERATION
The Agent's remuneration will be determined as follows:
Annual Fee
1.1The Annual Fee (before adjustment in accordance with this Agreement) for each twelve (12) month period of this Agreement commencing on the Commencement Date or any anniversary thereof shall be the determined in accordance with the following formula:
where:
"A" is the Agent's monthly instalment of the Annual Fee;
"B" is the aggregate of all levies payable by the Nominated Employers (whilst so remaining Nominated Employers in respect of the Agent) in respect of that twelve (12) month period (or in that twelve (12) month period if not in respect of a period falling within the twelve (12) month period) calculated by:
(i)disregarding the effect of any remission or supplementary levy determined under section 67 of the WRCA or any fine imposed under section 70 of the WRCA; and
(ii)assuming that the Nominated Employer was required to pay a levy which was determined without the effect of section 66(7) of the WRCA as calculated and advised by the Corporation to the Agents from time to time;
"C" is:
(i)if the Lower Rate applies [ ];
(ii)if the Higher Rate applies [ ].
1.2The Annual Fee payable in respect of a period less than the twelve (12) month period referred to above or any monthly instalment in respect of a period less than one (1) month shall be determined on the basis that the levy payable by the Nominated Employers over a longer period is allocated on a pro-rata basis.
1.3The Corporation shall make an estimate of the Annual Fee earned by the Agent in each month of the relevant twelve (12) month period at the end of that month or so soon thereafter as is practicable and, on the basis of that estimate, make payment of the same as an instalment of the Annual Fee. Subject to the provisions of clause 2 of this Schedule, within six (6) months of the end of the relevant twelve (12) month period (or sooner if the Corporation is in a position to effect an earlier revision of the estimate), the Corporation will make a recalculation of the Annual Fee payable to the Agent on the basis of the application of the abovementioned formula to the actual amount of the relevant criteria referred to above and an appropriate adjustment will either be paid to or be payable by the Agent as the case may be.
1.4If the Agent is commencing operations for the first time at the Commencement Date and, after the expiration of three (3) calendar months from the operative date of the selection of the Agent by an employer, the Agent is not providing the Agent's Functions in respect of all existing and new Claims against that Nominated Employer then the Annual Fee payable to the Agent until that situation comes to an end shall be seventy five per cent (75%) of the fee that would otherwise have been payable to the Agent.
Performance Adjustments to the Annual Fee
2.1At or about the time the Corporation makes the recalculation of the Agent's Annual Fee pursuant to clause 1.3 of this Schedule a performance adjustment shall be made taking into account the Agent's performance standard results achieved during the twelve (12) months in respect of which the Annual Fee has been so calculated. The adjustment shall be made as follows:
2.1.1If the Agent's performance results in the twelve (12) month period (including the cumulative results under both Category A and B performance standards) equals or exceeds 100%—the Agent receives 100% of the Annual Fee;
2.1.2If the Agent has not reached the specified maximum compliance with all category B performance standards in the twelve (12) month period—the Agent's Annual Fee shall be reduced by the total of the deductive value of the performance standards (or elements thereof) which were not achieved (as detailed in Part 5 of Schedule A of this Agreement) less any applicable increases for which the Agent is eligible in respect of performance achieved under the Category A standards in the twelve (12) month period. Such a reduction shall not be greater than 110% of the Agent's Annual Fee.
2.2Where the Agent's Annual Fee is reduced under clause 2.1.2 above, any moneys owing to the Corporation must be paid in full by the Agent within sixty (60) days of the Corporation notifying the Agent in writing of the amount owing or through such other arrangements as the Corporation may determine from time to time.
2.3If this Agreement terminates for any reason other than on an anniversary of the Commencement Date then the performance adjustment shall be made for the period since the last such anniversary on the same basis as that specified above.
Savings Bonus Scheme
The Corporation may implement an additional element of the Agent's remuneration by way of a bonus arrangement. This additional element will, at the Corporation's sole discretion, be made available by the provision of a scheme outside the normal fee structure, and be based upon parameters specified by the Corporation. Examples of the basis for such schemes might be:
•distribution of a proportion of the amount by an overall reduction of Scheme liability which is attributable to the Agent, as determined by the Board of the Corporation acting upon advice from the Corporation's actuaries;
•distribution of a proportion of direct dollar savings conferred by the Agent's response to a particular initiative established by the Corporation.
The Corporation may develop such bonus schemes and implement them on a needs basis, but there is no obligation on the Corporation to establish a bonus scheme in any particular year.
SCHEDULE E
STAFF ACCREDITATION AND EMPLOYER SELECTION OF AGENT
Accreditation of claims administration staff
Accreditation process
1.1At the commencement of this Agreement the Agent shall have all claims administration staff accredited by the Corporation, or have a process approved by the Corporation in place to ensure that staff will be accredited in order to meet the requirements under Schedule A.
All staff who have responsibility for making decisions on claims are deemed to be claims administration staff for the purposes of this Agreement.
1.2The Corporation in conjunction with the Agents will develop training and assessment processes which will constitute Corporation accreditation under this Agreement.
1.3The Corporation will accredit claims administration staff who successfully complete an agreed training and assessment process.
Competencies required for accreditation
1.8The Corporation in conjunction with Agents will determine and review from time to time the competencies required for accreditation in claims administration.
Employer selection of Agent
2.1Employers will nominate which Agent will manage their claims through a process determined and undertaken by the Corporation. An Employer making such a nomination in favour of the Agent will become a Nominated Employer.
2.2An Employer will be able to elect to change to another of the Agents via a structured process determined by the Corporation that will occur no more frequently than annually.
2.3Any structured process determined under clause 2.2 may, without limitation, include a process for transferring or retaining Claims as between the affected Agents.
SCHEDULE F
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
PROCESSING OPTIONS AND TERM
1.1Agents who have previously contracted with the Corporation for claims management may continue to use the Corporation's systems for claims management as constituted from time to time for the term of this contract. All other Agents may elect to use the Corporation's systems for claims management for the term of this Agreement. An Agent may only use the Corporation's computer systems for the provision of the Agent's Functions unless the Corporation otherwise agrees.
1.2Agents wishing to use their own processing systems must comply with the Corporation's interfacing requirements for Agents. This includes (but is not limited to) Year 2000 compliance. Any Agent wishing to use their own processing system must also comply with the implementation schedule to be provided by the Corporation.
1.3Any and all costs of the Corporation associated with any activities required or requested by the Agent (including, without limitation, moving to the Agent's own processing system) will be borne by the Agent.
1.4Upon request, the Corporation will consult as necessary with Agents to assist them with their decision regarding their ongoing processing.
1.5An Agent which wishes to discontinue processing on the Corporation's system must notify the Corporation in writing of their intentions after the Commencement Date and at least ten (10) calendar months prior to the proposed date of the change to the Agent's system.
STANDARDS
The Agent will comply with the Corporation's standards as advised from time to time as regards data quality, coding and processing procedures.
COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
3.1The Agent must comply with the copyright requirements and limitations of all the Corporation's products (software and documentation) as well as the copyright requirements of any third party software which is used in conjunction with the Corporation's systems. Further, the Agent will indemnify the Corporation against any breach by them of copyright limitations.
3.2The Agent must comply with the Corporation's Intellectual Property ownership rights and entitlements attaching to all software developed by the Corporation which is provided for use by the Agents.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY
4.1The Agent will comply with the Corporation's Information Systems Security Policy and Procedures as it relates to its use of the Corporation's information processing systems and any other relevant legislation and statutory requirements.
4.2The Agent is subject to the confidentiality conditions contained in this Agreement. Those obligations apply to data obtained in the course of the Agent's Functions or provided by the Corporation to the Agent.
STAFF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Staff of the Agent using the Corporation's information processing systems must be fully trained in all appropriate aspects of the same.
SERVICE LEVELS
The Agent will be provided with the following:
6.1access to the Corporation's information processing systems between the hours of 7.30 am and 6.30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays) and between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm each second and fourth Saturday of each month, such hours to be subject to review and amendment by agreement between the Corporation and the Agent from time to time;
6.2access at times outside the above may be available in special circumstances and by prior arrangement with the Corporation;
6.3availability of the Corporation's information processing systems during the times above, subject to any force majeure event, to be maintained at a level of 90% continuous availability or better, provided that if the Corporation does not, for a period of one (1) week or longer, maintain that level of availability and such unavailability adversely impacts upon the performance of the Agent's Functions, then the Agent shall be entitled to be relieved from the obligation to provide the Agent's Functions to the extent that the same are unable to be provided consistently with this Agreement but shall provide the same as soon as the availability of the Corporation's information processing systems so allows and the Agent shall have no other claim against the Corporation in respect of a failure to maintain the specified level of continuous availability.
CHARGING
7.1Charging to the Agent will be on the following basis:
(a)Where the Agent is commencing operations for the first time, network equipment required to be installed at the Agent will be paid for by the Agent at the cost to the Corporation, plus sales tax including the cost of installation. This equipment will become the property of the Agent.
(b)The Agent may nominate to enter into a lease arrangement directly with the vendor of the relevant equipment.
(c)Rental costs for communication lines between the Corporation and the Agent will be the responsibility of the Agent.
(d)An amount per network device per annum will be payable by the Agent to the Corporation. The amount will be reviewed annually.
(e)The above amount will be due and payable as at 1 July each year.
(f)The Agent may not require the installation of equipment to an extent which, relative to the comparable work and usage ratios previously experienced by the Corporation, is substantially in excess of the Agent's requirements.
7.2All other computing services as described in the Service Level Agreement will be provided by the Corporation at no charge to the Agent during the period 1 August 1997 to 31 July 1999.
EQUIPMENT
8.1Upon request, the Corporation will provide appropriate equipment for use by the Agent's staff at the Agent's premise This equipment will be configured by the Corporation to suit their system and network requirements, and this configuration cannot be amended by the Agent in any way. Customisation can be negotiated with the Corporation.
8.2All equipment installed at the Agent's (other than network equipment paid for by the Agent) will remain the property of the Corporation.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
All support and equipment to be sourced, installed and supported by the Corporation is on the basis of the Agent location being within the Adelaide CBD. If an Agent has a requirement outside the Adelaide CBD, this must be negotiated with the Corporation.
FORCE MAJEURE
The Corporation shall have no liabilities with the Agent in respect of any failure to observe or comply with the terms of this Schedule F to the extent that the same arises directly or indirectly as a result of the act or omission of a third party or the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event where, in either case, the same was outside of the reasonable control of the Corporation.
SCHEDULE G
CANCELLATION/SUSPENSION/SURRENDER OF AGREEMENT
A breach of the Agreement shall entitle the Corporation to issue to the Agent a warning, suspension or cancellation notice. The Corporation in its sole and unfettered discretion will determine whether or not the seriousness of the breach warrants a warning, suspension or cancellation notice. In making its decision, the Corporation may take into account:
(a)any previous breaches by the Agent in respect of which a warning or suspension notice was issued;
(b)any other deficiencies in the Agent's operations identified through the operation of this Agreement.
Where the Corporation issues a warning notice to the Agent, such notice shall:
(a)be clearly headed "WARNING NOTICE";
(b)be addressed to and delivered by certified mail to the Chief Executive or equivalent officer of the Agent;
(c)state the reasons for the warning; and
(d)give the Agent thirty (30) days from the date of the notice in which to make representations on the matter to the Corporation.
Where the Corporation issues a suspension notice to the Agent the notice shall:
(a)be clearly titled "NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF AGREEMENT";
(b)be addressed to and delivered by certified mail to the Chief Executive or equivalent officer of the Agent;
(c)state the period of suspension of the Agreement; and
(d)give the Agent fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice in which to make representations on the matter to the Corporation.
Where this Agreement is suspended in the manner contemplated in clause 3 of this Schedule the rights, entitlements and obligations of the Corporation and the Agent shall remain the same save that the Agent shall not thereafter be entitled to receive any amount by way of remuneration during the period of the suspension until the Agent has:
(a)disclosed all the circumstances surrounding the breach of the Agreement and remedied the same to the Corporation's requirements; and
(b)made good any loss or damage that may have been suffered by the Corporation or any worker or Nominated Employer as a result of such breach.
Where the Corporation issues a cancellation notice to the Agent the notice shall:
(a)be clearly titled "NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF AGREEMENT";
(b)be addressed to and delivered by certified mail to the Chief Executive or equivalent officer of the Agent;
(c)state the effective date of cancellation of this Agreement; and
(d)give the Agent fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice in which to make representation in the matter to the Corporation.
If the Corporation issues a notice under this Schedule the Corporation may in its sole and unfettered discretion, after reviewing representations made by the Agent in accordance with this Schedule and having regard to the conduct of the Agent subsequent to the giving of the notice:
(a)rescind the notice;
(b)replace the notice with another under this Schedule.
The Agent may surrender this Agreement after giving 30 days notice in writing to the Chief Executive or equivalent of the Corporation and after obtaining the written approval of the Corporation. The surrender will take effect if and when the Corporation approves of the surrender.
Where this Agreement is either surrendered by the Agent or cancelled by the Corporation in accordance with this Schedule G then the Agent shall pay to the Corporation, by way of compensation for the costs incurred or to be incurred by the Corporation in transferring the Claims Management Function of that Agent to another of the Agents, an amount equal to the amount of the remuneration previously paid to that Agent by way of the annual service fee in the preceding two (2) quarters in respect of which payment has been made under this Agreement or, if two (2) quarters have not yet expired, an amount equal to two times the one quarterly annual service fee paid or payable to the Agent.
SCHEDULE H
CERTIFICATE OF READINESS
The Corporation will require a certificate of readiness as a condition of the Claims Management Agreement in which the Agent expressly certifies that as at the date of the certificate it has satisfied the requirements in the following areas:
ACCOMMODATION
Documentation of the Agent's proposed accommodation which must cover, as a minimum:
•Location (centralised/branch offices), signage
•Accessibility (employers/workers/pedestrian/vehicular/disabled persons)
•Customer service facilities
•Standard, presentation, office layout, furniture
•Security/Confidentiality
•Integration/Segregation of other functions
STRUCTURE
The Agent's internal structure which must address at least the following:
•Manager (name, employment status)
•Functional separation of Claims Management
•Specialist operations of multiskilling within either Claims Management or other operations
•Documented delegated authority levels and how this will operate
•Preparation for post 1 July 1998 staff numbers
•Interaction with other Agents
PERSONNEL
The Agent must supply the Corporation with details of:
•Staff numbers, relevant experience for claims etc
•Staff to client/claims ratio
•Training, future training programmes
WORK PRACTICES
The Agent's Claims Management practices across areas such as:
•Monitoring of Agreement obligations, Performance Standards etc
•Internal performance monitoring
•Knowledge of WorkCover scheme, legislation etc
•Knowledge of all of the Corporation's information processing systems, including training in IDEAS and the relevant application and supporting software
•Rehabilitation programme services proposals
•Banking arrangements
•Record storage
•Value added services
•Confidentiality/Freedom of Information
SCHEDULE I
DELEGATED POWERS
Grant of Delegation
Pursuant to Section 17 of the WorkCover Corporation Act 1994 the Corporation delegates to the Agent all of the powers of the Corporation as may be necessary for or incidental to the performance of the Agent's Functions:
(a)save and except the powers and functions referred to in the Annexure to this Schedule; and
(b)subject to the conditions and limitations specified in:
(i)the Annexure to this Schedule;
(ii)any policies enunciated by the Corporation and communicated to the Agent in writing; and
(iii)any directions given by the Corporation to the Agent under its common seal or through an authorised officer.
Revocation and Variation
The Corporation may revoke the delegation of all or any of the Delegated Powers of the Agent at any time by an instrument in writing either in whole or in part and in particular, and without limiting the foregoing, by addition of any exception, condition or limitation contained in the Annexure to this Schedule.
Compliance with Directions
The Agent shall in the exercise of the Delegated Powers comply with conditions of the delegation and with directions of the Corporation given from time to time in accordance with the Relevant Law and this Agreement.
Policies of Corporation
The Delegated Powers shall be exercised by the Agent in accordance with any policies enunciated by the Corporation and advised to the Agent by notice in writing by an authorised officer.
No Sub-Delegation
The Agent may not sub-delegate or otherwise assign any of the Delegated Powers.
Further Delegation
The Corporation may delegate to the Agent further powers of the Corporation as it considers necessary for or incidental to the performance of the Agent's Functions in which event the Corporation shall forward to the Agent a further written instrument of delegation which further delegation shall be subject to the operation of this Agreement.
ANNEXURE TO SCHEDULE I
EXCEPTIONS, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS
1.Reservation of Definitions
The Agent shall not make any determination for or in relation to the following definitions contained in Section 3(1) of the WRCA, that is:
(a)the approval of an apprentice training scheme for the purposes of the definition "apprentice";
(b)the approval of an educational or training institution for the purpose of "educational institution";
(c)the authorisation of a person to exercise the powers of an "authorised officer" under the WRCA;
and shall refer the matter or issue relating to the above definitions to the Corporation for determination.
2.Determination of Claims Function
If a Claim has not been determined within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the Claim by a Nominated Employer then the Agent must record that fact and the reasons for the claim remaining undetermined on the Corporation's computer system and the Corporation may determine the Claim.
3.Appeal and Judicial Process Function
If, in the course of the Agent's Functions any legal process occurs as a result of which the relevant Claim or any matter incidental thereto is to be determined by any appeal or other judicial process (excluding any determination by a Review Officer or Arbitrator) then:
(a)the Agent shall inform the Corporation promptly as to that matter and the legal process concerned;
(b)the Corporation may give an instruction to the Agent as to the conduct of that appeal or other judicial process which shall be binding upon the Agent; and
(c)the Corporation may take over and have the conduct of the appeal or other judicial process.
4.Regulation Functions
The Agent shall not without the consent in writing of the Corporation exercise any of the following powers, that are:
(a)the power to recommend or approve the making of regulations pursuant to Section 31 of the WRCA provided that the Corporation shall give to the Agent particulars of recommendations for and approvals of regulations pursuant to Section 31 of the WRCA;
(b)the power to recommend or approve the making of regulations pursuant to Section 43 of the WRCA provided that the Corporation shall give to the Agent particulars of recommendations for and approvals of regulations pursuant to Section 43 of the WRCA.
5.Medical and Rehabilitation Expenses (Section 32 of the WRCA)
(a)Only the Corporation may determine limits in respect of the payment of medical and allied health services in respect of particular categories of medical services.
(b)Payments of medical and allied health accounts may be limited to accounts by a recognised medical expert or a medical expert or other person or facility if the service in respect of which the account is rendered was performed on a reference from a recognised medical expert or if the account is approved by a recognised medical expert as approved under Section 32(2)(i) by the Corporation.
(c)Only the Corporation may determine limits in respect of the payment of accounts for approved rehabilitation services.
6.Employer Functions
The Agent shall not without the consent in writing of the Corporation fix the amount payable by an Employer to the Corporation pursuant to Section 49 of the WRCA.
7.Recovery Functions
The Agent shall not, without the consent in writing of the Corporation, recover liabilities or otherwise exercise the powers provided in the following provisions of the WRCA, namely:
Section 32
Section 33
Section 36(5), (6) and (7)
Section 37(5)
Section 42B(10)
Section 46(7) and (8)
Section 48(2)
Section 54(5), (6) and (7)
Section 55
Section 92A
Section 106
Section 113
Section 120
First Schedule.8.Exempt Employer
The Agent shall not without the consent in writing of the Corporation exercise any of the powers of the Corporation pursuant to Division II of Part V of the WRCA.
9.Miscellaneous Exceptions and Limitations
The Agent shall not, without the consent in writing of the Corporation, which may be given either generally or specifically, exercise the powers provided in the following provisions of the WRCA:
Section 27(3)(c)
Section 105
Section 110
Section 115
Section 119
Section 120
Section 122
SCHEDULE J
EXTERNAL SERVICE PROVIDERS CONDITIONS
General requirements
The Agent shall only be entitled to engage and use the services of an External Service Provider for a particular activity:
(a)which can only lawfully be done by the External Service Provider (examples of which are services which can only be provided by a legally qualified legal practitioner or a legally qualified medical practitioner);
(b)which falls outside the capacity of the Agent (determined so as to include any capacity claimed in any statements or assertions made by the Agent in or in connection with its bid referred to in Recital D to this Agreement and/or implicit from its acceptance of the obligation to satisfy the terms of this Agreement); or
(c)in respect of which the Corporation has provided a prior consent to the Agent that it is entitled to use the services of an External Service Provider.
The Agent shall comply with any directions issued by the Corporation with respect to the selection or identity of particular types or classes of External Service Providers including, without limitation, the maximum fees payable to External Service Providers.
Method of Engagement of External Service Provider
The Agent shall engage an External Service Provider on terms and conditions which are appropriate having regard to the service which is required from that External Service Provider but which, in any event, shall, subject to any contrary notification, include the following:
(a)the External Service Provider acknowledges that the Agent contracts with the External Service Provider as the disclosed Agent of the Corporation so as to create a contractual relationship between the Corporation and the External Service Provider in respect of the provision of the relevant service by the External Service Provider;
(b)unless and until contrary notification from the Corporation the Agent is authorised by the Corporation to exercise its rights and entitlements under its contract with the External Service Provider;
(c)the External Service Provider will supply a sufficiently detailed account for the services provided as will enable the Corporation to ascertain the nature of the service provided as well as ascertain whether anything done by the External Service Provider conflicts with the obligations of the Agent under this Agreement;
(d)(where required by the Corporation either specifically in relation to the Agent or in relation to a specific External Service Provider or a class of External Service Providers) requirement the External Service Provider provide a certificate addressed to the Corporation that nothing done by the External Service Provider replaced or duplicated the work which was or should have been done by the Agent in order to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement; and
(e)such other conditions that are consistent with directions issued by the Corporation from time to time with respect to the conditions of engagement of particular types or classes of External Service Providers.
Extent of Agent's authority to engage External Service Providers
Where the Agent engages an External Service Provider or, having engaged the External Services Provider, uses the External Service Provider in respect of a service which replaces or duplicates a service which the Agent did or should have performed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement the Agent agrees, in so doing:
(a)it has engaged or used the External Service Provider without the authority of the Corporation and not as its Agent; and
(b)accordingly it has engaged the External Service Provider on its own account and shall be exclusively responsible for the costs of the External Service Provider to that extent.
Verification of Accounts rendered by External Service Providers
Whenever the Agent wishes to pay an External Service Provider from the Agent's WorkCover sub-account referred to in Clause 9 or to be reimbursed the cost of the same by the Corporation, the Agent shall provide to the Corporation:
(a)a copy of the relevant account of the External Service Provider prepared in accordance with this Schedule;
(b)an endorsement on the account of the External Service Provider certifying that nothing done by the External Service Provider replaces or duplicates work which has or should have been done by the Agent in order to satisfy the terms of this Agreement; and
(c)such other information as the Corporation may require in order to satisfy itself as to the Agent's compliance with this Agreement.
Legislative history
Notes
•For further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or of regulations
The WorkCover Corporation (Claims Management—Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 1997 expired on 1.9.2008: see Subordinate Legislation Act 1978.
Principal regulations and variations
Year No Reference Commencement 1997 204 Gazette 11.9.1997 p708 20.3.1998: r 2 2003 147 Gazette 12.6.2003 p2500 12.6.2003: r 2 Provisions varied
Provision How varied Commencement Sch heading substituted by 147/2003 Sch 1 12.6.2003
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