| Monash home | About Monash | Faculties | Campuses | Contact Monash |
| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
| Monash home | About Monash | Faculties | Campuses | Contact Monash |
| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
Workcover policy
Policy StatementMonash University has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for its staff, students and visitors at all campuses. In the event however, that a member of staff suffers a work related injury or illness, the university will financially compensate that worker for any loss incurred as a result of the injury or illness, rehabilitate that worker and provide opportunities for their return to work. Promotion of preventative approach to workplace injury and illness - reporting of hazards, incidents and AccidentsMonash University promotes a preventative approach to dealing with workplace injury and illness. It is important that all hazards, incidents or accidents are reported whether or not a claim for compensation is to be made. If you feel your health is being affected by your work, report the matter to your supervisor or your health and safety representative as soon as possible and/or seek medical attention. Early intervention can often prevent the onset of a more serious injury and allow your to remain at work, leading a productive and healthy life. Advice can also be sought from the Senior HR Advisor for Return to Work and Rehabilitation to determine an appropriate course of action.
What is WorkCover?WorkCover is Victoria's injured workers' compensation scheme, governed by the Accident Compensation Act 1985, and administered by the Victorian WorkCover Authority. Under the Act a worker who sustains an injury arising, out of or in the course of employment* and if the worker's employment was a significant contributing factor, shall be entitled to compensation. *Course of employment - This includes a staff member's normal place of employment or an alternative place of employment where a staff member has been authorised to attend. This also includes traveling for work between two places of work. Staff members are not covered under WorkCover whilst they are traveling to and from work. An injury arising from a motor vehicle during traveling to and from work would be covered under the Transport Accident Act. WorkCover:
WorkCover places great emphasis upon early intervention and rehabilitation of injured staff. Rehabilitation is the cornerstone of the WorkCover scheme and early return to work is an expected outcome. Monash University 's make-up pay provision (refer to 'Make-up Pay') ensures that full salary payments are made for a period of 52 aggregate weeks in cases where it is determined by a medical practitioner that there is no capacity for work. An 'Aggregate' refers to cumulative days lost resulting from a compensable claim. Days or hours that form a gradual return to work plan are not included in the aggregate amount. An injured staff member will be advised in writing prior to when their make-up pay ceases. They may have entitlement to a UniSuper benefit. If you are injured at the WorkplaceEmployee ObligationsA staff member who suffers an injury or illness because of their work must notify their supervisor/manager within 30 days of becoming aware of the injury. Supervisor/Manager ObligationsOn receiving notification of a work related injury/illness to a staff member, the supervisor/ manager must notify the Safety Officer immediately, who will proceed in line with the University's Policy on Incident Reporting, Investigation and Recording. The Hazard Incident Report form (PDF), obtainable from Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Department, Health and Safety Representatives or Safety Officers, must be completed and forwarded to OHS&E as soon as practicable. Refer to the Risk Management and Occupational Rehabilitation Program (MSword) for further information. University ObligationsMonash University is required to acknowledge the injury notification, received from an injured staff member, in writing (refer to 'Employee Obligations'). University Procedures for Submitting a WorkCover ClaimReporting the Accident or IllnessRefer to 'If you are injured at the workplace'. Lodging a WorkCover ClaimEmployee process To lodge a claim the staff member must complete a "Workers Claim for Compensation" form, ('Claim form') as soon as practicable after the injury. Forms are available from the WorkCover Unit, Human Resources, or any post office. If the claim involves absence from work, the Claim form must be accompanied by a valid WorkCover Certificate of Capacity (refer to 'WorkCover Certificate of Capacity') and an 'Application for Leave' form. Monash University policy requests that a certificate of capacity be also provided for claims relating only to medical expenses as well. Application For Leave Form An 'Application for Leave' form must be submitted by the WorkCover claimant for time lost claim. The dates on the leave form must correspond with the dates on the WorkCover Certificate of Capacity. The application for WorkCover leave is processed by Human Resources initially as sick leave. If liability for the claim is accepted the period of sick leave is credited and processed as WorkCover leave. Supervisors/managers process A supervisor/manager must immediately forward the Claim form, the WorkCover Certificate of Capacity together with an authorised leave form, and any accounts/receipts relating to the injury and a copy of the incident report to: Joanne Turner Human Resources process On receipt of a Claim form, both the claimant and their supervisor/manager are contacted by the Senior HR Advisor (Return to Work/Rehabilitation) or her representative where practicable. The following matters are discussed: Claimant
If claimant is not at work they may be contacted at home where practicable. Supervisor/Manager
Rehabilitation/Return to Work ProceduresRehabilitation /Return to Work Co-ordinatorThe nominated Rehabilitation /Return to Work Co-ordinator for Monash University is Joanne Turner. Ms Turner is located in the WorkCover Unit of Human Resources at Monash Business Park, 710 Blackburn Road, Clayton. Ms Turner can be contacted on 9905 6034. The Rehabilitation/Return to Work Co-ordinator is responsible for facilitating return to work for injured/ill employees. Rehabilitation ProviderAn external rehabilitation provider may be engaged to assist with rehabilitation of injured/ill staff members. The role of the Rehabilitation Provider is to:
Rehabilitation providers are used depending on the circumstances/seriousness of the injury. Monash has three external rehabilitation providers a claimant may choose from. The providers are approved by the Victorian WorkCover Authority. ProceduresAny staff member who sustains a work related injury/illness must notify their supervisor/manager as soon as practicable (refer to 'Employee Obligations') following injury or onset of illness. On receiving notification of an injury/illness the supervisor/manager must notify the Safety Officer who will proceed in line with the University's Policy on Incident Reporting, Investigation and Recording Procedures [PDF] . The supervisor/manager must notify the Rehabilitation/Return to Work Co-ordinator immediately if the injury is likely to result in time loss, rehabilitation intervention or work restrictions. On receiving notification of any injury or illness, the Rehabilitation/Return to Work Co-ordinator will make contact with the injured/ill staff member where practicable and their supervisor/manager immediately. If rehabilitation is required, the Rehabilitation/Return to Work Co-ordinator will facilitate a rehabilitation/return to work program in conjunction with key parties. The nature and type of rehabilitation will be made on the basis of:
If there are no suitable duties available within the job description, other duties will be assessed for suitability. Workplace agreement entitlements regarding return to an equivalent office shall be observed. In the event that suitable duties are only available in another area of the University, the staff member's pre-injury department remains responsible for salary costs unless permanent transfer, placement or other agreement occurs. Agreed rehabilitation/return to work details will be specified in writing. Suitable duties will be reviewed on a regular basis until the staff member returns to his/her pre-injury duties or is permanently placed in suitable employment if possible. Reviews will be documented. Copies of all documentation will be given to the injured/ill staff member, their supervisor/manager and the treating medical practitioner. If the staff member is assessed as being unfit for any duties, the Rehabilitation/Return to Work Co-ordinator and/or the university's nominated Rehabilitation Provider will maintain regular contact with the staff member, the treating doctor and the supervisor/ manager until capacity for suitable duties is identified. Any disagreement over rehabilitation/return to work plan will be negotiated by the Rehabilitation/Return to Work Co-ordinator, in consultation with the injured staff member, his/her supervisor/manager and if necessary the Head of Department. Personnel to Contact on WorkCover and Rehabilitation MattersThe personnel to contact for advice, information and/or assistance on any WorkCover related matters are: Joanne Turner - Senior HR Advisor - Return to Work & Rehabilitation Alison Laurence
- HR Advisor Kathleen Marazakis - HR Advisor Ms Turner, Ms Laurence and Ms Marazakis are located in Human Resources, Monash Business Park, 710 Blackburn Road, Clayton. Legislative Requirements/University Policies for Submitting a WorkCover ClaimClaimsUniversity staff members are entitled to lodge a claim for compensation for medical services and/or for absence from work due to a work related accident or illness (refer to 'Lodging a WorkCover Claim'). Documentation Required for Claim ValidityTime Lost Claims If a staff member loses time from work due to their work related injury/illness, they are required to lodge two documents:
If a Claim and/or certificate is not valid according to workcover guidelines, the WorkCover claim will be consequently deemed not to have been made. (Claim for medical and like services only) Under the legislation the only requirement for this type of claim is a fully completed "Workers Claim for Compensation" form. However, Monash University policy requires that a WorkCover Certificate of Capacity must be provided for "No Time Lost Claims". WorkCover Certificate of Capacity
Time Limits on Acceptance of ClaimsTime Lost Claims The university's insurer has 28 days, from the date of receipt of valid claim, to advise the claimant in writing whether their claim is accepted. Other Claims If the WorkCover claim is for medical and like services only, the university's insurer has 60 days, from the date of receipt to advise the claimant in writing whether their claim is accepted. Employer Liability ThresholdAn insurance excess applies to WorkCover claims. If a Workers Claim for Compensation is accepted, Monash University is required to pay the first 10 days time lost and $546.00 of reasonable (refer to 'Reimbursement of Reasonable Expenses') medical and like services related to the claim. (Note that the $546.00 is indexed each year on 1 July). The claimant's salary/wage payments for time off work is the responsibility of the department which employs the claimant. However, the costs for medical and like services (i.e. $546) are paid by Human Resources from a central WorkCover fund. Reimbursement of Reasonable ExpensesThe university will reimburse reasonable* medical and like service costs paid by the staff member with a valid and open WorkCover claim. If the university's threshold amount (refer to 'Employer Liability Threshold') is reached, Human Resources will forward any receipts or unpaid accounts to its insurer for payment. * Reasonable medical and like services include treatment which is deemed to be appropriate given the type of injury, by treating medical practitioners as well as independent specialists. Where treatment or cost is deemed to be inappropriate or unreasonable, claimant's may not be reimbursed. Reasonable costs include the maximum payment paid by WorkCover for various medical services. Some treating health practitioners charge above the maximum rate. For convenience purposes, the claimant should instruct their health practitioner(s) to send his/her service accounts directly to the university (WorkCover) for payment and/or for forwarding to the insurer. University Policies on Submitting a WorkCover ClaimMake-up PayWhere a claim involving absence from work is accepted or determined in favour of the claimant, all workplace agreement and allied entitlements in accordance with their pre-injury classification and hours of work will be accrued during a make-up pay period. The university's provision of Accident Make-Up Pay, is for a period of 52 aggregate weeks. No Time Lost ClaimsRefer to 'No Time Lost Claims' WorkCover InsuranceUnder the provision of the Accident Compensation Insurance Act, the University reviews its policy annually through a Victorian WorkCover Authority agent CGU Workers Insurance. |