Compensation claims in Post
After a number of concerns from members the CWU National Office has raised with Post the issue of the length of time taken to process and determine compensation claims.
Currently there are no time periods specified within the SRC Act in regards to determining claims.
Comcare does have “Determining Authority Key Performance Indicators (DAPKIs) which they monitor for licensees. (Post is a self-insurer /licensee under the SRC Act.) One DAKPI is timeliness to determine new claims, with a target of 20 days for injuries and 60 days for diseases.
Post has advised that it aims to register claims within 10 days and determine claims once registered within 10 days. For claims where further information is required the claims delegates are expected to communicate the reason for the delay in writing and give a revised determination date.
The time period seems reasonable. But the process falls down where further information is required. It may be appropriate to seek further information but injured workers should not be directed unnecessarily to specialists when it is apparent that their injury is work-related.
We will continue to monitor directions to specialists. If you have concerns about a workers’ compensation matter contact your State CWU Branch.
