Nabenet

The Victorian Parliament has passed the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill 2009.  The Bill contains reforms to the Accident Compensation Act 1985 and associated legislation.  There will be some major changes taking effect as of 5 April 2010 and 1 July 2010 that will impact you as an employer.  For more information please click here.

Nabenet is able to help you implement these changes within your organisation with the following training sessions:

• Andrew Douglas, Director of Douglas LPT and Andrew Paice, Director of Nabenet will be holding a training day on Monday 3 May 2010 in Melbourne.  By attending this training day, you will be equipped with the necessary resources to better manage Workers’ Compensation.  For more information please click here or contact Jessica Rose (03 9329 3898).

• Nabenet also provide Advanced RTW and Claims Management sessions that incorporate the legislative changes and how to implement these practical changes within your organisation.  The next session is scheduled in Geelong on 6/7 May 2010 and a Melbourne session is scheduled on 27/28 May 2010.  For more information or to book your place please contact Teresa Coffey (03 9329 3898).

This year Nabenet entered 5 teams in the BRW Triathlon, which was held at Elwood Beach Sunday 28th February 2010.  As part of Nabenet’s health and wellbeing program, team members participated in group training sessions which were held before and after work in the lead up to the event.  The training sessions were a great way for employees to enjoy a social activity whilst increasing their fitness.  This is a great example of how a focus on health in an organisation can boost staff morale, fitness and wellness.  Employees have continued to train together and will participate in similar events in the future.

If you would like to implement a similar health and wellbeing program in your organisation please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au) to discuss opportunities Nabenet can offer your business.

The Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (Australia and New Zealand) have endorsed the introduction of a Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers from 1st July 2010.

This framework will establish practice principals designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.

Benefits will be:

• increased uniformity of workplace rehabilitation service definitions and expectations of workplace rehabilitation providers.
• increased understanding of the expected standards of workplace rehabilitation provider performance for employers, workers and insurers.

For more information please click here.

Concerning data has been released by WorkHealth and published in the Herald Sun on Saturday 6 February 2010 in an article titled “Workplace check-up and survey program reveals…A health time bomb”.

The data collected from WorkHealth checks shows many Victorians are drinking too much, are overweight, have unhealthy diets and are at high risk of getting heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Nabenet Health is an Endorsed Service Provider for WorkHealth and has witnessed these alarming trends first hand as discussed in the article by Claire Nichol, Director Nabenet Health.  To view the article please click here.

If your organisation hasn’t had health checks and would like to participate in the WorkHealth initiative please contact Katie Riches (03 9819 2377 or katieriches@nabenet.com.au) for further information.

Return to Work Matters is a professional networking and resource site serving return to work professionals.  Nabenet have partnered with Return to Work Matters to offer you 3  months free access to the site. 

Please click here to find out more.

Nabenet and Nabenet Health have quality management systems (QMS) which follow the criteria and standards that were established by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).  We have subsequently recently received ISO 9000:2008 certification.  This certification demonstrates Nabenet’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement.  Our goal is to continue to be pioneers and the best within our industry. 

To view our ISO Certificate please click here.

This week at the 84th meeting of the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC), held in Melbourne,  Ministers across Australia finalised the harmonisation of model workplace health and safety laws.

This means that by 1 January 2012, all Australian businesses and workers will be subject to the same OHS Act and regulations.

Review the WRMC Communique by clicking here.

Last week the Accident Compensation Act Amendment Bill reached Victorian Parliament.  This bill has a number of changes to the current Act. 

Workers will receive 80% of their pre-injury wage after 13 weeks (up from 75%) and penalties and overtime count in the pre-injury wage for 52 weeks, not the current 26 weeks. 

Workers who receive weekly compensation for more than 52 weeks will also have superannuation paid at 9% after 52 weeks.

WorkSafe Inspectors will have wider powers in the area of return to work including the ability to issue improvement notices to employers who do not offer alternative employment for 52 weeks.

Workers may have their weekly payments suspended if they do not participate in the return to work process.  For the first time a worker must actively participate with occupational rehabilitation (OR) providers, while employers can be directed to use the services of OR providers if the Agent notifies them to do so.

There are a large number of other changes that will become more evident over time.

Nabenet believe that the changes above and other amendments to the Act make return to work the key to the Workers Compensation system for the first time.

The role of Nabenet as your OR provider can only assist Employers meet their increased obligations to the return to work process and assist workers to return to work when medically safe to do so.

Nabenet recently assisted the CFMEU with the development of a suitable jobs register as part of WorkSafe Victoria’s Return to Work Fund.  The suitable jobs register identifies 29 different jobs and return to work duties associated with the building and construction industry.  Nabenet provided expert assistance in this major initiative by undertaking the 29 job and task analysis, as well as providing a 3 stage return to work suggestion framework for each job.  To view the CFMEU launch article click here.

Andrew Paice, Director Nabenet, presented during Work Safe Week 2009 at the Victorian Trades Hall Health and Safety Representatives Conference.  Andrew delivered a presentation to members of various unions about occupational rehabilitation (OR).  Andrew explained what OR providers are, what they do, the benefits of having an OR provider involved in the return to work process and how to involve an OR provider.

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