Changes to the SIRA Training Requirement for Return to Work Coordinators
As you probably know the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) inherited the NSW workers compensation functions from WorkCover NSW. Those functions included approving Return to Work Coordinators and their training.
This article provides a short review of the current arrangements for SIRA approved training for RTW Coordinators and SIRA’s plan to introduce SIRA online learning for RTW Coordinators. The change in the delivery of the training is due to take effect on the 1st of June 2019.
Current Training Requirements
A category 1 employer (see definition next paragraph) must only employ a person or take on a contractor to perform the role and functions of a RTW Coordinator, who has the “relevant training, skills and experience” to perform the role and functions of a RTW Coordinator (see pages 7 and 8 in SIRA’s, Guidelines for Workplace Return to Work Programs May 2017). Employers must retain evidence of their Return to Work Coordinator’s relevant qualifications.
A category 1 employer is an employer who:
has a basic tariff premium over $50,00 a year, or
is self insured, or
is insured by a specialised insurer and has over 20 employees.
The training that SIRA recognises as “relevant training” is:
the SIRA or WorkCover NSW approved 2-day face-to-face Introduction to Return to Work Coordination course, or
a letter from WorkCover NSW exempting the applicant from doing the requirement to attend training.
SIRA has recently updated the course materials for the SIRA approved 2-day face-to-face course.
Future Online Learning for RTW Coordinators
SIRA is now working on developing online training modules that cover the competencies that Return to Work Coordinators must have.
Their timetable for the introduction of the online training is:
Delivery of the current SIRA approved 2-day face-to-face course will continue until the 31st of May 2019.
SIRA’s online training modules for RTW Coordinators will become available on the 1st of June 2019.
SIRA’s Current Training Requirement Continues Until 31st May 2019
Courtenell will continue to deliver the SIRA approved 2-day face-to-face Introduction to Return to Work Coordination course at public venues and onsite using our experienced SIRA approved trainers until the 31st of May 2019. DETAILS
References
For further reading on SIRA’s website see:
18th September 2018
