During 2014 the Tasmanian Government requested that the WorkCover Board engage with scheme participants and stakeholders about opportunities to reduce ‘red tape’ in the Tasmanian Compensation Scheme.

A ‘Consultation Overview Paper’ has been released by WorkSafe Tasmania listing the potential amendments to the legislation. The amendments relevant to workers, rehabilitation providers and doctors include changes relating to accreditation of medical practitioners, workplace rehabilitation providers and providers of prescribed services as well as amendments relating to the requirements for injury management programs, RTW and injury management plans. There is also a potential amendment in relation to the requirement on doctors to give reasons if they issue a total incapacity certificate of more than 2 weeks’ duration and worker’s obligations if they change doctors i.e. their Primary Treating Medical Practitioner.

The consultation phase about these proposals is open until 30 September 2015.

See link below to:

ConsultationOverviewPaper-RedTapeReduction

It is worthwhile having a look through the paper.