Policy and Advocacy Compensation Schemes update July

WorkCover Queensland has completed an annual update of the Allied Health Services Table of Costs for the 2024-2025 financial year. OTA provided feedback to inform the annual update, advocating for higher fees for OTs. The updated fees are effective from 1 July 2024. Existing fees were indexed by 4.03% and are now available on the Fees page of the WorkCover Queensland website (under Current allied health fees > Effective from 1 July 2024).   

WorkSafe Victoria has applied its annual indexation to allied health provider fees, effective from 1 July 2024. For the 2024/25 financial year, a 3.92% increase has been implemented. These fee schedules represent the maximum fees payable. For updated provider fee schedules, please visit the WorkSafe website.

OTA has received several inquiries about the recent guidelines developed by icare for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessments. Members have expressed concerns about the enforceability of these guidelines and their impact on OTs working under the NSW workers compensation scheme. OTA has met with icare and can offer the following assurances: 

• The guidelines have been designed to support consistent service delivery by workplace rehabilitation providers and to educate case managers on what to expect from the ADL assessment process for most injury types, however they are not enforceable

• Although a two-hour time limit for assessments is mentioned, it is not a strict requirement. For workers with serious injuries, assessments may need to be tailored to accommodate greater medical and psycho-social complexity. In these instances OTs would be expected to discuss with the case manager, their assessment requirements in accordance with the needs of the worker, based on the professional judgment of the OT provider.