Key outcomes from the 12 September 2019 Seacare Authority meeting (News)

The Seacare Authority met in Canberra on 12 September 2019. The key outcomes of the meeting are set out below.

Strategic risk management

The risk that the scheme may become unviable is a key strategic risk for the Seacare Authority and is currently considered and discussed at each of its regular meetings.

Members considered progress against actions to ensure the ongoing viability of the scheme, and, having considered historical data on exemptions granted under section 20A of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 (Seafarers Act), the Seacare Authority agreed to establish a working group to consider whether the Seacare Authority’s approach to exemptions, including the factors for exemptions, are appropriate.

The Seacare Authority also considered the outcomes of the biennial actuarial review, noting that the actuary supported the Seacare Authority’s recommendation of March 2019 to increase in the levy rate to $50.

Endorsement of a mental health strategy for the Seacare scheme

The Seacare Authority has noted previously that maritime industry workers are at risk of experiencing poor mental health due to nature of the industry-specific operating conditions, and that there is limited coordinated information for seafarers promoting good mental health. In response to this concern, the Seacare Authority endorsed the Seacare Authority Mental Health Strategy (Strategy) with the intention of promoting mental health information and encouraging a cohesive best-practice approach to mental health in the maritime industry.

The Strategy will be published on the Seacare website in the coming weeks, along with information on how this will be implemented over the longer term.

Seacare Authority Annual Report

The Seacare Authority endorsed its annual report for 2018–19. It will be published on the Seacare website during October.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Seacare Authority will be held in Melbourne on 28 November 2019.