A comprehensive review into the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 has commenced.
On this page:
On 24 June 2024, the Australian Government appointed Ms Justine Ross as chair and Professor Robin Creyke AO and Mr Greg Isolani as panel members of the independent panel to undertake a comprehensive review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) (SRC Act), the legislative framework that underpins the Comcare workers’ compensation scheme.
The review will make recommendations to the Australian Government to inform future legislative reform of the SRC Act. The panel brings a range of relevant expertise across workers’ compensation, legal frameworks, claimant experience and government policy.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is providing secretariat support to the independent review panel.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference for the review addresses all aspects of the scheme, including governance, usability and entitlements.
Stakeholder participation
The terms of reference note the panel will consult with a tripartite reference group representing unions, employers and government during the review.
The panel will also conduct public consultations and engage with key stakeholders throughout the review.
Issues Paper
As a part of the consultation process, the panel sought submissions from the public to help better understand experiences of injured workers and other stakeholders with the Comcare scheme. The panel produced an issues paper that included questions to guide responses.
Submissions closed 20 December 2024.
The short survey closed on 31 January 2025.
Submissions will be made available on this website unless respondents have requested confidentiality or to protect the privacy of those identified.
Independent panel members
Ms Justine Ross (Panel Chair)
Ms Ross brings over 20 years’ experience in relevant areas of law to the review. Ms Ross was Chief Executive Officer of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency for 5 years from 2018 and has extensive public service legal and policy experience including in Work, Health and Safety (WHS), workers' compensation and industrial relations. Ms Ross is a former member of Safe Work Australia and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and was appointed as a general member of the Administrative Review Tribunal in December 2024.
Professor Robin Creyke AO
Professor Creyke is an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University and has extensive practical and academic experience in administrative law. Professor Creyke is a former Member of the Administrative Review Council of Australia and a former Senior Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and a member of the Expert Advisory Group to Guide Reform to Australia’s System of Administrative Review.
Mr Gregory Isolani
Mr Isolani has extensive experience as a legal representative in personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, including in representing claimants under the Comcare scheme. In 2001 Mr Isolani founded KCI Lawyers, who specialise in military and Commonwealth compensation matters. Mr Isolani has appeared before several Senate and Government committees on military and Commonwealth compensation issues.
Final report
Recommendations from the panel and a final report are due to government in 2025.
More information
Further information and updates on the review, including the consultation process will be made available on this page.
Questions about the review can be sent to srcactreview@dewr.gov.au.
Announcements
Find more information about the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act review announcement.
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For further information on the Review of the Safety, Rehabilitations and Compensation Act 1988, please contact our team at srcactreview@dewr.gov.au.