EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
Issued by Comcare
Operational Standards: Variation of Operational Standards for Rehabilitation Program Providers
Comcare has developed a model of occupational rehabilitation to assist employers to meet their responsibilities under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (“SRC Act”).
Effective occupational rehabilitation is a managed process combining early intervention with appropriate, adequate and timely services based on the assessed needs of the individual.
In determining the operational standards to be complied with by all persons who are approved as rehabilitation program providers Comcare has established outcome and service standards pursuant to section 34E of the SRC Act.
These standards relate to the effectiveness, availability and cost measures that an approved rehabilitation program provider is required to meet. These standards are designed to balance a range of performance indicators, both qualitative and quantitative, that consider issues of efficiency, effectiveness and quality.
In accordance with section 34E of the SRC Act, Comcare is required to establish the operational standards by instrument in writing. The standards are a revised version of that determined on 8 October 2003 (Notice No 20 of 2003) and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 15 October 2003.
The standards will be effective on and from 1 July 2007, as prescribed in
the Legislative Instrument to which this statement relates.