Workplace rehabilitation providers
As a workplace rehabilitation provider, you play a vital role in the return to work process of an employee with a work-related injury or illness.
Role of rehabilitation providers
Any rehabilitation program conducted under the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 (Seafarers Act) must be undertaken by an approved rehabilitation provider.
Rehabilitation providers may be a person or an organisation. As a provider, your role is to deliver:
- rehabilitation program services and advice to employees with an injury or illness
- timely intervention and services based on the assessed need of the employee and their workplace.
As a provider, you may have employees, or use consultants, who must have appropriate qualifications, experience and expertise.
Approval of providers in the Seacare scheme
In order to deliver rehabilitation services in the Seacare scheme, workplace rehabilitation providers must first be approved.
The Seacare Authority uses Comcare as the approving agency, to determine who meets requirements and is approved to provide rehabilitation services. Once approved by Comcare, providers must be recognised by the Seacare Authority in order to operate in the Seacare scheme.
This accreditation ensures the provider’s service is of an acceptable standard and complies with accepted practices within the profession.
For more information about the approval process by Comcare, see:
For a list of approved rehabilitation providers in each state and territory, see the Comcare directory of approved rehabilitation providers.
Types of services provided
Workplace rehabilitation providers are organisations accredited to deliver workplace rehabilitation services to help injured or ill employees return to work.
Rehabilitation services provided by, or suggested by, an approved rehabilitation provider may include:
- initial workplace rehabilitation assessment
- assessment of the functional capacity of an employee
- creating and monitoring a rehabilitation program, which may include a return to work plan
- creating suitable duties plans
- job analysis
- rehabilitation counselling
- vocational assessment
- advice or assistance in job seeking
- advice or assistance in arranging vocational re-education or retraining.
Expert advice and services may be requested by the employee, their treating medical practitioner or their employer.
As a rehabilitation provider, a key focus of your work is the employee’s rehabilitation program, covering matters such as medical and support services, goals for recovery, recovery or return to work time frames, and expected and planned outcomes and costs. If key parties agree, a return to work plan may be developed and implemented.
The rehabilitation program should aim to return the employee with an injury or illness to work rather than just achieving fitness for work status.