Have your say on the draft Code of Claimants’ Rights

Public comment has opened on the draft code, developed following legislative amendments to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act last year.

The code, which responds to a key recommendation from the independent review into the administration and management of complex claims, will provide clear expectations for the treatment of claimants and outline their key rights, which include to have support persons, communication, information and fair treatment, among others.

It will also set out service standards and obligations for WorkSafe, its agents, providers, and self-insurers, as well as provide a complaints process and potential remedies for breaches of the code.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson said the code would set clear expectations for how claimants should be treated and improve transparency and accountability across the system.

“We are committed to delivering a scheme that supports injured workers and ensures people are treated with dignity and respect at every stage of their claim. By formalising these rights, claimants can feel confident and empowered throughout the process,” she said.

“WorkSafe values the perspectives of those with lived experience and we encourage workers, employers and the community to have their say and help shape a code that will improve outcomes for all claimants.”

Representative bodies including Victorian Trades Hall Council and the Workplace Incidents Consultative Committee – the legislated lived experience advisory body for workplace safety and compensation matters – have provided early feedback on protecting the needs of injured workers and the community.

The draft code is now available for public comment until Wednesday 27 May, and is expected to commence by the end of the year.

To make a submission, visit the Engage Victoria website.