Annual self-evaluations

Accredited workplace rehabilitation providers (WRPs) must undertake annual self-evaluations. HWCA's Evaluation Manual: For Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (external link) outlines this process.

If you are an accredited WRP operating in Tasmania and you meet the evaluation team criteria of the National Framework, you must complete and submit to WorkCover :

• Self-Evaluation Report, using the Evaluation tool (spreadsheet): HWCA (external link)
• a signed Declaration of Conformance, annually, using the Application Renewal for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider available at HWCA (external link)
• workers compensation policy for Tasmanian employees
• updated WRP Staff Details Sheet (DOCX, 34.9 KB)
• copies of relevant qualifications for any new staff.

Alternative to evaluation team criteria (for Tas operators only)

If you operate in Tasmania only and cannot meet the evaluation team criteria of the National Framework, there is an alternative process. You must complete and submit to WorkCover :

• Self Evaluation Plan (DOCX, 55.6 KB)
• Self Evaluation Report, using the Evaluation tool (spreadsheet): HWCA (external link)
• updated WRP Staff Details Sheet (DOCX, 34.9 KB)
• copies of relevant qualifications for any new staff
• any corrective action plans or evidence of progress towards compliance.

For more information about the criteria for evaluators, see Appendix 2 of the Guide: Nationally consistent approval framework for workplace rehabilitation providers: HWCA (external link).

Evaluation tools

The HWCA Evaluation Tool includes two main components:

• Conditions of Approval Evaluation Tool: Used to assess and rate each condition as either conforming or non-conforming to the Conditions of Approval
• Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation Evaluation Tool: An evaluation of a provider’s conformance with Condition 1: Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation, includes an assessment of the provider’s policy and procedures and then an assessment of the provider’s operational documents, case records or awareness interviews.

Determining level of conformance

WorkCover adheres to the scoring methodology stipulated in the Evaluation Manual: For Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.

Scoring the Conditions of Approval

• Scored as either complying or non-complying.
• All Conditions of Approval must be met to maintain accreditation.
• The Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation (Condition 1) are scored differently to the Conditions of Approval to allow room for continuous improvement.

Scoring the Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation

• Each principle and its indicators (45 in total) will be assessed as either complying or non-complying.
• Where a principle is assessed as non-complying, there is a need for corrective action.

Corrective actions for non-conformances against Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation

The number of non-conformances identified against the Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation determines the corrective action/s to be undertaken by the WRP.

Up to 2 non-conformances identified:

• submit to WorkCover a continuous improvement plan for each identified opportunity for improvement 30 days from the date the evaluation report is received.

Between 3 and 6 non-conformances identified:

• submit to WorkCover a corrective action plan for each non-conformance identified 30 days from the date the evaluation report is received
• submit to WorkCover evidence of progress towards identified non-conformances 3 months from the date the evaluation report is received.

7 or more non-conformances identified:

• submit to WorkCover a corrective action plan for each non-conformance identified 30 days from the date the evaluation report is received
• submit to WorkCover evidence of progress towards identified non-conformances 3 months from the date the evaluation report is received
• WorkCover may conduct an evaluation within 6 months from the date the evaluation report is received.

Corrective action plans

Corrective action plans must be done within 30 days from the date the evaluation report is received.

Evidence of progress towards conformity must be submitted three months from the date the report is received.

Resources

WorkSafe Tasmania resources

WRP staff details sheet (DOCX, 34.9 KB)

Self evaluation plan (DOCX, 55.6 KB)

Corrective action plan template (DOCX, 45.2 KB)

Other resources (external links)

Nationally consistent approval framework for workplace rehabilitation providers: Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities (external link)

Guide: Nationally consistent approval framework for workplace rehabilitation providers: HWCA (external link)

Evaluation Manual: For Approved Workplace Rehabilitation Providers: HWCA (external link)

Evaluation tool (spreadsheet): HWCA (external link)

Application Renewal for Approval as a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider: HWCA (external link)