An independent review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

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 Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) (SRC Act), the legislative framework that underpins the Comcare workers’ compensation scheme.

The review will make recommendations to the Australian Government to inform future legislative reform of the SRC Act. The panel brings a range of relevant expertise across workers’ compensation, legal frameworks, claimant experience and government policy.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is providing secretariat support to the independent review panel.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for the review addresses all aspects of the scheme, including governance, usability and entitlements.

Stakeholder participation

The terms of reference note the panel will consult with a tripartite reference group representing unions, employers and government during the review.

The panel will also conduct public consultations and engage with key stakeholders throughout the review.

Further information, including how to participate in the review process is available below.

User-experience research

As part of the consultation process for the review, the department has engaged Monash University to conduct research into the user-experience of the SRC Act. This research will assist the panel to better understand the experiences of injured workers and other stakeholders with the Comcare scheme. 

This research is being conducted independently by Monash University. It involves 45-60 minute interviews with injured workers and focus groups for claims managers, rehabilitation case managers and supervisors who support injured or ill workers making a workers’ compensation claim.

If you are interested in participating in this research, please contact the Monash University research team directly by either:

• Filling out an expression of interest form online, via the User Experiences project
• Calling (03) 9903 0525.
• Emailing Dr Caryn van Vreden at caryn.vanvreden@monash.edu with your name, email and/or phone number and nominating your preferred communication method. 

After receiving your reply, the Monash University research team will contact you to discuss the project and provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about the study. You can then decide if you consent to be part of it.

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 will remain open for responses until 31 January 2025. Please visit the Consultation Hub to participate.

The panel is seeking responses from:

• Injured workers or family members of injured workers who have lived experience of the Comcare scheme.
• Other participants directly involved in the workers’ compensation scheme, such as employers of an injured worker, claims managers, rehabilitation providers and health care providers.
• Peak representative bodies and organisations.
• Legal representatives, insurers, actuaries and academics with experience in workers’ compensation.

Independent panel members

Ms Justine Ross (Panel Chair)

Ms Ross brings 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 has recently been appointed as a general member of the Administrative Review Tribunal, commencing 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.

Final report

Recommendations from the panel are expected within 12 months of review commencement.

More information

Further information and updates on the review, including the consultation process will be made available on this page.

Questions about the review can be sent to srcactreview@dewr.gov.au

Announcements

Find more information about the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act review announcement.

Subscribe to our email

For further information on the Review of the Safety, Rehabilitations and Compensation Act 1988, please contact our team at srcactreview@dewr.gov.au.