June Policy and Advocacy Compensation Schemes Update

Return to Work South Australia (RTWSA) has updated their fee schedule and policy. Effective 1 July 2024 occupational therapy fees, including mental health occupational therapy, will increase by 6%. The new fee for hourly rate services will be $217.70. Formal consultation with OTA occurred during February and March 2024. OTAs asks included a request to increase the amount of time providers can bill for preparing an Activities of Daily Living assessment and report to nine hours. Whilst this request was not granted, RTWSA informed OTA additional time can be approved by the claims manager on a case-by-case basis where exceptional circumstances arise. Members are strongly encouraged to not only bill for the time taken but also to request additional time where necessary. This will help validate whether the current fee is adequate, or otherwise, and will ensure occupational therapists are paid for their time. The 2024-25 fee schedules can be downloaded from www.rtwsa.com. If you have questions about the new fee schedule and policy, please contact Scheme Support on 8238 5757 or providers@rtwsa.com. 

Last year, the Queensland Government published the final report of an independent review of the state's workers' compensation scheme, a review that occurs every five years. OTA engaged heavily with the Queensland Government to inform the development of Governments response to the review. Based on recommendations from this review proposed legislative changes have now been tabled. Legislative changes of relevance to occupational therapists include:   

• Requiring insurers take all reasonable steps to minimise the chance of a worker developing a secondary psychological injury

• Empowering workers to actively participate in the rehabilitation process by allowing them to choose their workplace rehabilitation provider and treating doctors. 

You can read more about the Workers’ Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 and proposed changes here.

Opportunities for TAC Small Grants are now available. Applications for the TAC’s annual Small Grants Program will be open from 17 June to 26 July 2024. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to successful applicants. The TAC is looking for innovative community-based projects that will make a positive change in the lives of TAC clients and other Victorians with disability. Visit tac.vic.gov.au/small-grants for full details, including eligibility criteria and grant guidelines. You can also register for 30 minutes of pre-application support by emailing research@tac.vic.gov.au