An audit of the national authority for work health and safety and workers’ compensation, Comcare has found that its administration of claims made under the Workers’ Compensation Scheme was effective.
The audit found Comcare’s business processes and systems were in place to support the effective management of claims; that it had external efficiency and effectiveness measures and had been meeting its targets.
“However, the target for the efficiency measure is not based on benchmarking, which means the efficiency of the claims management process is not clear,” the audit said.
Auditor-General, Grant Hehir made two recommendations related to reviewing the delegated claims management arrangements and improving Comcare’s corporate performance measures on claims management.
Comcare agreed to the recommendations.
Chief Executive of Comcare, Greg Vines said the audit was timely as Comcare continued an important program of improvement for claims management.
“Comcare pays around $200 million a year to assist injured Australian Government workers, and effective systems and practices are vital in delivering this support,” Mr Vines said.
“The report reflects ongoing work to strengthen our claims management services, including improving governance and assurance of processes.”
He said Comcare was committed to excellence in service provision and this audit highlighted the benefits of its initiatives to improve the claims management function.
The Auditor-General’s 53-page report can be accessed at this PS News link or online at this link.
The audit team was Renina Boyd, Ben Thomson, Anne Rainger, James Wright, Sean Brindle and Michelle Page.
