Victoria seeks feedback on draft Code of Claimants' Rights

Victoria is seeking feedback on a draft code developed following last year’s legislative amendments to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.

Responding to a key recommendation from the independent review into the administration and management of complex claims, the code is intended to provide clear expectations for the treatment of claimants and outline their key rights. These include: to have support persons, communication, information and fair treatment, among others.

Service standards and obligations for WorkSafe Victoria, its agents, providers and self-insurers will also be set out, as well as providing a complaints process and potential remedies for breaches of the code.

“We are committed to delivering a scheme that supports injured workers and ensures people are treated with dignity and respect at every stage of their claim. By formalising these rights, claimants can feel confident and empowered throughout the process,” WorkSafe Victoria Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson said.

“WorkSafe values the perspectives of those with lived experience and we encourage workers, employers and the community to have their say and help shape a code that will improve outcomes for all claimants.”

Representative bodies including Victorian Trades Hall Council and the legislated lived experience advisory body for workplace safety and compensation matters — Workplace Incidents Consultative Committee — have provided early feedback on protecting the needs of injured workers and the community.

Expected to commence by the end of the year, comment on the draft code is available here until Wednesday, 27 May, via the Engage Victoria website.

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