State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) information

State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) information

I still find it hard to believe organisation do not take out workers compensation!  Please find the report from SIRA on the the key compliance and enforcement activity on Employers from 1 February through to May 2020 which makes for interesting /sad reading.

I have always prided the Australian society on having a no fault Workers Compensation system.  Granted a small amount of people take advantage of this but with robust systems and process it can be managed.

  • For this reporting period, 2,767 businesses purchased a workers compensation policy after SIRA commenced non-insurance investigations. This reflects $2.58 million in additional premium raised and 5,537 more employees now being covered by a workers compensation policy. This financial year, SIRA has generated $11.84 million in policy premiums and covered an additional 25,887 NSW workers by targeting uninsured businesses.
  • During this reporting period, $84,750 in penalty notices issued to businesses who were not insured.
  • During this reporting period, $62,320 was collected from businesses as a further penalty for failing to purchase a workers compensation policy.
  • 7 referrals were made to Revenue NSW to commence recovery action for $210,330 of avoided premiums under s156 of the Workers Compensation Act 1987.
  • 13 notices were issued to employers who had failed to establish a return to work program, failed to appoint a return to work coordinator, or not provided suitable work pursuant to the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998.
  • 231 visits were made by inspectors to employers with injured workers at risk of not returning to work (as identified through predictive modelling).
  • 35 complaints regarding employers not providing suitable work were referred for investigation.
  • In response to complaints about not providing suitable work, 5 businesses were issued notices to provide information.

For any assistance with your Workers Compensation processes, please contact info@safetyservices.net.au or +61 29634 5912