WorkCover was the first government agency in Australia to integrate injury prevention, rehabilitation and compensation into a single body with a unified mission.
Established on 1 July 1989, WorkCover is now part of the Compensation Authorities Staff Division (CASD).
Legislation
WorkCover administers and provides advice on the:
Injury prevention
In 2009/10, WorkCover:
- conducted 660 free advisory visits in workplaces
- conducted 813 workshops, presentations, expos and events
- made 23,106 workplace inspections
- provided $4.07 million to industry groups to fund education, training and development projects in workplace safety and injury management
- made over 800 payments totalling $0.375 million through the Safety Solutions Program resulting in $1.24 million in safety improvements in NSW workplaces. Over 85 per cent of the rebate solutions went to priority risks
- made $5 million available in WorkCover Assist Grants to employer associations, trade unions and not for profit group training organisations
- sponsored 38 events in rural and remote communities under the Drought Assistance Recovery Program to de-stigmatise mental health.
In addition, the Mentoring Program facilitated relationships between small and large businesses to provide practical advice and assistance on workplace safety.
Workers compensation
The NSW Workers Compensation Scheme provides protection for over 266,000 employers and their employees.
Workers compensation insurance
Premium rates were reduced by up to 2.5 per cent from 30 June 2010 for 240 industry classes that showed a sustained improvement in work health and safety, injury prevention and management. This is the sixth premium rate cut since November 2005.
WorkCover received $2.6 billion in workers compensation premiums in 2009/2010.
Work related injuries and illnesses
Preliminary figures show that over 121,000 work related injuries and illnesses were reported to WorkCover in 2009/10. Sadly, 133 workers were fatally injured in the course of their employment in 2009/2010.
Customer service
Our information centre received over 200,000 calls and 10,000 emails and the Claims Assistance Service managed around 10,000 workers compensation related matters in 2009/10.
Over 200,000 licences, notifications, certificates and permits were issued in 2009/10.
Funds management
We are one of Australia’s largest insurance businesses, responsible for approximately $10.5 billion under funds management in June 2010 producing an average investment return of 5 per cent.
Safety prosecutions
In 2009/10, WorkCover concluded 103 successful occupational health and safety prosecutions involving 76 defendants in 44 matters. Total fines awarded by the courts were over $5.6 million.
Fraud
WorkCover received 354 referrals of alleged fraudulent activity of the workers compensation system in 2009/2010. Ten prosecutions resulted in convictions, 18 matters resulted in cautions in lieu of prosecution and 18 warnings were issued.
Further information
The WorkCover Annual Report provides information on our achievements in improving workplace safety, injury management and return to work outcomes and workers compensation provision in NSW.
The 2008/2009 WorkCover Statistical Bulletin provides information about the causes and effects of workers compensation claims to assist individuals and organisations in their endeavour to prevent workplace injury and disease and to minimise the social and economic cost of claims through injury management practices.
Call 13 10 50 for more facts and figures about WorkCover.