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ARTICLE · 10 APRIL 2014

Federal Government expands access to Comcare scheme for workers compensation

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The Minister announced lifting the moratorium on private corporations becoming self-insurers under the Comcare scheme.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Marie Costa
Marie Costa
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On 2 December 2013, Employment Minister Senator Eric Abetz announced the lifting of a moratorium on private corporations becoming self-insurers under the Comcare scheme which had been put in place by the Rudd Labor Government in December 2007.

This was followed, on 19 March 2014, by the introduction into federal Parliament of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (Bill). The main purpose of the Bill is to enable employers who operate in two or more States or Territories to apply for a licence to self-insure under Comcare. Employers which obtain such a licence will also be covered by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act 2011). This would ensure that licence-holders operated under an integrated workers' compensation and work health and safety regime.

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