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Consultation - Standards and guidance notes

Self-insurance is a key element of the South Australian Return to Work scheme, granted to employers who meet legislative and regulatory requirements, including WHS and Injury Management performance standards and the Code of conduct for self-insured employers.- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site

ReturnToWorkSA considers criteria in section 129 of the Return to Work Act 2014 (the Act) and evaluates compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) and Injury Management (IM) standards.

Consultation - Work health & safety standards and guidance notes

Conformance to the work health and safety standards for self-insured employers (WHS standards) is one of the critical means of satisfying Section 129(11)(e) of the Act, the Board Policy on Self-Insurance, and the Code of Conduct for Self-insurers.

ReturnToWorkSA has completed a review of the WHS Standards and Guidelines. The aim of this review was to:

  • consider ReturnToWorkSA’s key WHS requirements and obligations within the scope of the Act.
  • simplify the standard, removing duplication and improving useability.
  • consider any critical gaps with reference to the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and contemporary standards.
  • create better alignment to international system standards to support national employers who are or will be transitioning to a new system.
Providing feedback:

ReturnToWorkSA has now completed the final version of the Self-Insured WHS Standards and Guidance Notes.

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The WHS Consultation discussion paper - external site- external site    is still available for reference.

Transitional period

Employers will have until 31 July 2025 to update systems and implement changes. Future evaluations will have regard to the requirements applicable at that point in time.

We understand that training and implementation needs may vary, however we believe this is an appropriate time frame. Evaluators will consider reasonable submissions to seek an extension of the grace period for certain sub-elements where appropriate rationale is provided.

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Consultation - Injury management standards and guidance notes

The IM standards provide a framework for self-insured employer performance.
The last significant review was in 2016.

ReturnToWorkSA has completed a review of the IM standards and guidance notes, including the specific requirements aligned to the sub-elements. The intent of the review was to:

  • streamline the standards and reconfigure in a more logical format,
  • address gaps or emerging risks observed during oversight of registrations or past evaluations,
  • allow ReturnToWorkSA's Self-insured Evaluators to discuss current testing procedures for each sub-element, and agree and define a common approach, and
  • rewrite guidance notes to reduce ambiguity and support consistent interpretation of the IM standards.
Providing feedback:

The IM consultation discussion paper- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site is still available for reference.

We have updated the catalogue of changes- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site- external site which captures all of the amendments from the final draft, including the rationale. This will support implementation and serve as a reference for future evaluations.

Transitional period - has completed

Please note that the transitional period has ended, and Employers must have systems updated and changes implemented from 1 January 2025 onwards. Claims reviewed at evaluation will be assessed against the requirements applicable at that point in time although existing legislative requirements will not change.

We understand that training and implementation needs may vary, however we believe this is an appropriate time frame. Evaluators will consider reasonable submissions to seek an extension of the grace period for certain sub-elements where appropriate rationale is provided.

Further information:

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If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact

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