493Functions of the Authority

493 Functions of the Authority

(1) The functions of the Authority are to—

(a) receive and assess and accept or reject claims for compensation; and

(b) pay compensation to persons entitled to compensation under this Act or the Accident Compensation Act 1985; and

S. 493(1)(ba) inserted by No. 5/2021 s. 26.

(ba) pay provisional payments to persons entitled to provisional payments under Division 10 of Part 5 of this Act or Division 2BA of Part IV of the Accident Compensation Act 1985.

(c) assist employers and workers in achieving healthy and safe working environments; and

(d) promote the effective occupational rehabilitation of injured workers and their early return to work; and

(e) encourage the provision of suitable employment opportunities to workers who have been injured; and

(f) provide insurance in accordance with this Act and to determine, collect and recover premiums in accordance with this Act; and

(g) ensure that the accident compensation scheme is competitive and fully-funded; and

(h) regulate and make recommendations to the Minister in relation to self-insurers; and

(i) continue to fund a WorkCover Advisory Service; and

(j) administer the WorkCover Authority Fund; and

(k) implement measures to deter and detect fraudulent workers compensation claims; and

(l) conduct or defend proceedings before a court or tribunal; and

(m) defend actions against employers under this Act or the Accident Compensation Act 1985 and at common law; and

(n) arrange or facilitate the provision of interpreter services to assist injured workers; and

(o) monitor the operation of occupational health and safety, rehabilitation and accident compensation arrangements; and

(p) identify (and as far as practicable minimise or remove) disincentives for injured workers to return to work or for employers to employ injured workers; and

(q) develop and implement programs to provide incentives to employers and to assist employers in implementing measures to prevent injuries and diseases at workplaces and to improve occupational health and safety and return to work results; and

(r) provide assistance in relation to the establishment and operation of occupational rehabilitation programs of employers and to facilitate the development of rehabilitation plans and facilities to assist injured workers; and

(s) encourage liaison between employers, occupational rehabilitation service providers, medical practitioners and other health professionals in the interests of early and effective rehabilitation of injured workers; and