New arrangements for Occupational Rehabilitation services

WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe), along with other workers’ compensation jurisdictions, will adopt the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (NCF) from 1 July 2010.

Adoption of the NCF will coincide with a WorkSafe tender process for the delivery of Occupational Rehabilitation (OR) services within Victoria from 1 July 2010 onwards.

In order to provide OR services for WorkSafe from 1 July 2010, providers will need to meet the NCF requirements and be a successful respondent to WorkSafe’s tender process. The Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers is available at hwca.org.au.

Where to lodge an NCF application

Organisations wishing to provide OR services in Victoria only will need to make an NCF application to WorkSafe.

If your organisation also wishes to provide rehabilitation services in a workers’ compensation jurisdiction in addition to Victoria, please refer to sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.  This explains the process you will need to follow.

Application fees not required

WorkSafe will not require fees to be paid for NCF applications.

This includes applications lodged directly with WorkSafe as well as applications lodged with WorkSafe after an Instrument of Approval has been obtained from another workers’ compensation jurisdiction.

Making an NCF application
You can now make an NCF application by completing the Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider.

  • Applications must be submitted before 12.00 pm on 31 December 2009.
  • Four (4) hard copies of the Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider must be submitted to:
                            WorkSafe Victoria
                            Return to Work Support Branch
                            222 Exhibition Street
                            Melbourne VIC 3000
  • Receipt of completed applications will be acknowledged by email, and will include relevant information for the applicant.
  • For flexibility and ease of use, the application form is a non-protected Microsoft Word document. You must not delete, change, modify or move any text, other than that of your own answers, in the Application for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider. Doing so will risk the validity of your application.
  • The form mirrors the generic application form that has been available at hwca.org.au, however, it is branded for use in Victoria. The other participating workers’ compensation jurisdictions will use their own forms, which have been adapted for their particular use. 
  • The application form will be compatible with users of Microsoft Word 97 and above. Text can be copied and pasted directly into the relevant fields, so if you’ve started completing the application, answers can be easily transferred.
  • The form will allow any attachments to be inserted as separate pages within the application. Please be mindful that four (4) copies of the application will need to be printed, signed and submitted. This will allow any attachments you have to be manually inserted if that is preferable.
  • Any questions or issues regarding the completion of the form must be sent by email to orservicetender@worksafe.vic.gov.au .

Information about how NCF applications will be assessed by WorkSafe

  1. Applicants should ensure each copy of the application contains sufficient information and is accompanied by the necessary supporting documentation to demonstrate their capacity to satisfy the NCF requirements.
  2. If an application is successful then an Instrument of Approval relating to the NCF requirements will be issued. Meeting the requirements of the NCF is a pre-requisite to becoming a successful respondent to WorkSafe’s tender process.
  3. Organisations wishing to provide rehabilitation services across multiple jurisdictions can refer to sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers for instructions on what to do.
  4. Should an application not conform to the NCF requirements, the applicant will be given an opportunity to provide further information. Subsequent to this, if the applicant still does not conform, then the application is considered to be unsuccessful.
  5. If an application is unsuccessful, the applicant will be advised of the appeals process.
  6. An organisation that has been unsuccessful in their application will not be eligible to make a further application until they can demonstrate to WorkSafe that the reasons for not being successful have been remedied or no longer exist.
  7. The provision of false or misleading information is a serious offence and will nullify the application.
  8. When considering an application, WorkSafe may, at any time, request further information in writing from the applicant and may liaise with other workers’ compensation authorities where the organisation delivers workplace rehabilitation services to exchange information about the application and your organisation.
  9. For more detail about the application process, refer to the Guide: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers available at hwca.org.au.

NCF applications and the WorkSafe tender

WorkSafe will endeavour to assess NCF applications as soon as possible after a complete application is submitted. However, it is likely that some applications will not have received a response prior to the closing date for WorkSafe tender submissions. Tender submissions that have not yet received an NCF application response will not be disadvantaged. If you are successful in the tender process, your WorkSafe approval will be subject to you meeting the NCF requirements.   

WorkSafe tender process

The WorkSafe tender process will be open and publicly advertised. All occupational rehabilitation providers are encouraged to apply. There is no limit to the number of providers who can be appointed through the tender process.

WorkSafe will evaluate tenders against published criteria to identify providers that can deliver high quality services that achieve early, safe and durable return to work outcomes for injured workers.

Victorian Government Tenders Website

WorkSafe has placed an advance notice of our intention to tender for Occupational Rehabilitation (OR) services from 1 July 2010 on the Victorian Government Tenders website www.tenders.vic.gov.au.  WorkSafe will use this website throughout the tender process and you should register on that website to ensure you have access to all information relevant to the OR services tender.

The estimated release date for the WorkSafe Request for Tender is December 2009.

It is a requirement that organisations wishing to participate in the tender attend a mandatory briefing session (note there will be a limit of 2 representatives per organisation). This session will be held shortly after the Request for Tender is released.

The briefing session will explain the Request for Tender documentation and WorkSafe’s requirements for the delivery of occupational rehabilitation services.

Questions regarding the tender specifications can be answered after the mandatory briefing session is conducted.

WorkSafe induction training

WorkSafe will require all successful tenderers to participate in a two-day induction prior to 1 July 2010.

Contact for further information

Questions or requests for further information about the NCF application process or the WorkSafe OR services tender process must be emailed to orservicetender@worksafe.vic.gov.au 

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