If you are a medical practitioner who wishes to assess permanent impairment of an injured worker, you must be accredited by the WorkCover Board Tasmania.
When a worker is entitled to compensation for permanent impairment
A worker who suffers permanent impairment as a result of a work-related injury is entitled to be paid lump sum compensation.
This may only be awarded where the degree of whole person impairment is at least:
- 5% in the case of physical injury (other than an injury involving the loss of a finger or toe)
- 10% in the case of psychiatric impairment.
In the case of industrial deafness, lump sum compensation may only be awarded where the level of binaural hearing impairment exceeds 5%.
Common law damages
A worker cannot seek damages at common law where the degree of permanent impairment is less than 20%.
How to assess impairment
You must use the WorkCover Board Tasmania Guidelines for the Assessment of Permanent Impairment Version 3.
These guidelines came into effect on 1 October 2011 and apply to assessments performed on or after this date.
You must no longer use Versions 1 and 2 to assess permanent impairment (if you would like to reference Version 1 or Version 2 of the Guidelines, please contact us).
Guidelines for the assessment of permanent impairment: Version 3 (PDF, 463.7 KB)
Permanent Impairment Assessment report template (DOCX, 38.7 KB)
How to become an accredited medical practitioner
You must complete and submit to WorkCover Board Tasmania:
- Application for accreditation to assess the degree of a workers impairment (PDF, 200.9 KB)
- Tasmanian core module (permanent impairment assessment training package) (PDF, 350.0 KB)
An independent specialist will assess your application.
WorkCover will then notify you in writing if you are successful.
Accreditation is perpetual; there is no need to renew.
Specialty training modules
While the minimum requirement for accreditation is completing the Tasmanian core module listed above, we also recommend you complete other modules relating to your specialty or area of practice.
These specialty training modules outline the appropriate methodologies to use when assessing permanent impairment in a specific body system. They are:
- cardiovascular system
- digestive system
- ear, nose and throat (including hearing loss)
- endocrine system
- haematopoietic system
- lower extremities
- nervous system
- psychiatric and psychological disorders
- respiratory system
- skin
- spine
- upper extremities
- urinary and reproductive systems
- visual system.
These modules are completed by correspondence. Email workcover.tasmania@justice.tas.gov.au to get the training material. In your email, list the speciality modules you need from the above list of modules.
Training from other providers
WorkCover will recognise training you do with other providers if you provide:
- evidence from the training provider that specifies
- the module
- the AMA version
- the date completed.
A copy of a certificate or a statement from the training provider is sufficient.
Update your qualifications with us
Please update your training qualifications and contact details with us, so insurers and injured workers who use our database of accredited medical practitioners have access to the most current details.
Resources
Update your contact details/training qualifications
Guidelines for the assessment of permanent impairment: Version 3 (PDF, 463.7 KB)
Permanent Impairment Assessment report template (DOCX, 38.7 KB)
Application for accreditation to assess the degree of a workers impairment (PDF, 200.9 KB)
Tasmanian core module (permanent impairment assessment training package) (PDF, 350.0 KB)
Guide to workers rehabilitation and compensation in Tasmania (PDF, 615.3 KB)