Return To Work Co-ordinators

WorkSafe is committed to the early, successful and sustainable return to work of all injured workers. Helping injured workers return to work requires the support of employers and skilled return to work coordinators (RTW).

A RTW coordinator is the key person in assisting injured workers to remain at, or return to work as soon as possible after injury.

A RTW Coordinator is a person (normally an employee) nominated by the employer to act in this capacity. The nominated person will need the delegated authority and status within the workplace necessary to identify suitable employment opportunities, offer them to the injured worker, and to ensure that the legislative obligations outlined in the Accident Compensation Act 1985 have been met by the employer.

While there is no legislative requirement that a RTW Coordinator undergo certain training, we highly recommend that the nominated person(s) complete the two day RTW Coordinator training course, developed and endorsed by WorkSafe.

Select from the following list below to learn more:

• The RTW process
• When must an employer nominate a RTW coordinator
• The role of the coordinator
• About the coordinator training program
• How to register for the training program
• The return to work coordinator register
• How to join for the return to work coordinator register
• The return to work coordinator newsletter
• How to become a return to work coordinator training provider
• General enquiries and request for additional information

Further information:

• Training program for Victorian RTW coordinators to operate in NSW and QLD

 

The RTW process

The flow diagram below outlines the key steps involved in the return to work process. For more information please refer to the  Return to Work Guide for Victorian Employers.

 

 

When must an employer nominate a RTW coordinator

If your annual remuneration is less than $1 million, you must appoint a return to work coordinator at the outset of each claim and tell everyone involved who that person is.

Employers whose annual remuneration is greater than $1 million must have a return to work coordinator at all times.

The role of the coordinator

By law your return to work coordinator MUST:

• Assist your injured workers, where prudent and practicable, to remain at or return to work as soon as possible after injury;
• Liaise with any parties involved in the occupational rehabilitation of, or provision of medical or hospital services, to your injured worker;
• Monitor the progress of your injured worker's capacity to work;
• Ensure that, where reasonably necessary, your injured worker is given access to occupational rehabilitation services
• Take steps to (as far as is practicable) prevent recurrence or aggravation of the relevant injury upon your injured worker's return to work; and
• Assist in meeting the legal requirements regarding risk management, occupational rehabilitation and return to work.

About the coordinator training program

A two day RTW coordinator training program has been developed to ensure that RTW coordinators have the right skills and knowledge to perform their role effectively.

The program was developed in consultation with key employer associations, the Victorian Trades Hall Council and representatives from the Self Insurers Association of Victoria.

The program is endorsed by WorkSafe and conducted by training providers approved by WorkSafe.

The program covers:

• The functions and requirements of a RTW co-ordinator
• The development of the skills required to perform these functions
• How to co-ordinate the return to work of an injured worker
• How to complete meaningful return to work plans
• How to effectively monitor return to work to ensure the ongoing success and sustainability of that work
• How to communicate effectively with injured workers
• How to communicate with and utilise the support of others involved in the return to work process.
• Summary of training program content

While the training program is designed to enable and up-skill RTW coordinators, it may also be of value to those in associated roles such as line managers, supervisors and health and safety representatives.

On completion of the two day program, participants are eligible to receive a certificate acknowledging completion of the WorkSafe approved training.

For more information please refer to the  Return to Work Coordinator Training Factsheet.

How to register for the training program

Please click  here to register for the two day  RTW Coordinator Training  and to view dates locations, fees and providers who are offering the course. All providers offer the same Worksafe approved course over a two day program.

To ensure quality, the Role of a Return to Work Co-ordinator training is delivered by providers approved by WorkSafe.

Search the list of training providers

The Return to Work Coordinator register

The RTW Coordinator register stores the contact details of those who have a role in return to work at their workplace and you are encouraged to join our register if you would like to be kept up to date on RTW matters. Upon registering, RTW Coordinators will receive the following support tools from WorkSafe:

• The return to work coordinator newsletter – "Learn to Return" – which is full of information about RTW, relevant research findings and details of any upcoming Worksafe events related to RTW.
• details of WorkSafe approved RTW Coordinator training
• the opportunity to meet with other employer representatives to learn more about return to work through networking events
• return to work publications and tools

For more information please refer to the Return to Work Coordinator Register factsheet.

How to join the Return to Work Coordinator register

The Return to Work Coordinator register is open to anyone who has responsibility for return to work at their workplace, regardless of whether they have completed Return to Work Coordinator training program. Click here to join the Return to Work Coordinator register .

You can now update your own details on the WorkSafe Victoria RTW Coordinator Register by clicking here to access your details.

The Return to Work Coordinator Newsletter

The RTW Coordinator newsletter is sent out bi-monthly to members of the WorkSafe RTW Coordinator Register (formerly RTW Coordinator Database).

This newsletter is designed to provide members of the register with the latest news and developments in the world of RTW, along with great ideas and practical tips from RTW Coordinators.

Click here to join the RTW coordinator register. This will ensure that you receive future editions of the RTW coordinator newsletter.

We welcome your feedback and contributions, so please let us know what you think.

Recent editions of the RTW coordinator newsletter "Learn to Return"

• September 2008
• July 2008
• May 2008
• March 2008
• January 2008
• November 2007
• September 2007
• July 2007
• May 2007

 

How to become a Return to Work Coordinator training provider

To ensure quality and consistency, WorkSafe  has approved training providers to deliver the “Role of a RTW Coordinator” training. Click here to search the list of training providers

If you are interested in becoming an approved training provider, you must apply directly to WorkSafe. Applications are assessed periodically. For 2008, the cut-off dates for applications are:

• 1 July 2008
• 30 September 2008
• 20 January 2009

Suitable applications received during these periods are scheduled for approval from 1 August 2008, 1 November 2008 and 1 March 2009 respectively.

Prior to approval you must satisfy the following criteria:

• you and your trainers will be required to attend a Training Familiarisation session conducted by WorkSafe. This session will ensure that you are familiar with the content, messaging and recommended methods for delivery. For 2008, Trainer familiarisation sessions will be conducted on the following dates:

  - 17 July 08
  - 9 October 08
  - 5 Feb 09
  

   

• you must meet set conditions and agree to monitor these conditions on an on-going basis. For further information refer to the application form and conditions of approval

General enquiries and request for additional information

For general enquiries or requests for additional information please contact the Advisory Service on 1800 136 089 or email  info@worksafe.vic.gov.au for an enquiry.

Training program for Victorian RTW coordinators to operate in NSW and QLD

In consultation with WorkCover New South Wales, WorkCover Queensland and WorkSafe Victoria, a training program has been designed for Victorian RTW coordinators to learn about the return to work processes in NSW and/or QLD. 

The training program addresses the following points:

• key differences between legislation;
• legislative obligations of employers;
• role of the return to work coordinator in each state;
• basic information regarding worker entitlements;
• role of the agent/insurer in injury, claims and return to work management;
• issues in working with doctors, rehabilitation and treatment providers;
• dispute prevention and resolution strategies; and
• sources of further information regarding injury management and return to work.

On completion of the training program participants are eligible to receive a certificate acknowledging successful completion of the training by the relevant state Workcover Authority (Workcover NSW or Q-Comp).

The NSW and/or QLD modules are delivered by the following approved Victorian training providers:

• Allianz Australia Workers Compensation (Victoria) Ltd.
• Cambridge Integrated Services Victoria Pty Ltd
• CGU Workers Compensation (Vic) Limited
• Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd
• GIO Workers Compensation (Victoria) Limited
• QBE Workers Compensation  (VIC) Limited
• Australian Industry Group
• OccCorp Pty Ltd
• Recovre Pty Ltd
• Steps
• Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI)
• Woolworths Limited

Contact these providers directly for sessions dates, times and costs.