The independent panel appointed to review the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) have submitted their final report to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. The final report is now available.
On this page:
Read the media release by the Hon Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations on the publication of the final report and next steps.
Overview
On 24 June 2024, the Australian Government appointed Ms Justine Ross as chair and Professor Robin Creyke AO and Mr Greg Isolani as panel members of the independent panel to undertake a comprehensive review of the SRC Act, the legislative framework that underpins the Comcare workers’ compensation scheme.
Final report
The final report was provided to the Australian Government on 25 September 2025.
The review made 124 recommendations, focussing on:
- Best practice in workers’ compensation
- Workers’ experience of the scheme
- Scheme coverage and entitlements
- Governance and administration
- Reducing disputes.
The government is committed to better supporting injured and ill workers to recover and return to work, while keeping the Comcare scheme sustainable and responsive to evolving workplace challenges. It is now considering the recommendations in the report and will consult with stakeholders on the findings.
The report can be found at Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Review – Final Report.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference for the review addressed all aspects of the scheme, including governance, usability and entitlements.
Stakeholder participation
The panel consulted with a tripartite reference group representing unions, employers and government during the review.
The panel also conducted public consultations and engaged with key stakeholders throughout the review.
Public submissions and issues paper
As a part of the consultation process, the panel sought submissions from the public to help better understand experiences of injured workers and other stakeholders with the Comcare scheme. The panel produced an issues paper that included questions to guide responses.
Submissions closed 20 December 2024.
The short survey closed on 31 January 2025.
Public submissions provided from organisations and a summary of the survey results can be found at Public consultation - independent review of the Safety, Rehabilitation & Compensation Act 1988.
Independent panel members
Ms Justine Ross (Panel Chair)
Ms Ross brought over 20 years’ experience in relevant areas of law to the review. Ms Ross was Chief Executive Officer of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency for 5 years from 2018 and has extensive public service legal and policy experience including in Work, Health and Safety (WHS), workers' compensation and industrial relations. Ms Ross is a former member of Safe Work Australia and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and was appointed as a general member of the Administrative Review Tribunal in December 2024.
Professor Robin Creyke AO
Professor Creyke is an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University and has extensive practical and academic experience in administrative law. Professor Creyke is a former Member of the Administrative Review Council of Australia and a former Senior Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and a member of the Expert Advisory Group to Guide Reform to Australia’s System of Administrative Review.
Mr Gregory Isolani
Mr Isolani has extensive experience as a legal representative in personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, including in representing claimants under the Comcare scheme. In 2001 Mr Isolani founded KCI Lawyers, who specialise in military and Commonwealth compensation matters. Mr Isolani has appeared before several Senate and Government committees on military and Commonwealth compensation issues.
More information
Questions about the review can be sent to srcactreview@dewr.gov.au.
The department procured expert advice to support the work of the panel, including:
- actuarial advice on potential reforms by Taylor Fry
- a Comcare user-experience research study by Monash University
- a literature review on Australian workers’ compensation by Monash University.
You can request a copy of a report by emailing srcactreview@dewr.gov.au.