5.9.5.4 Agent responsibilities for WISE
The Agent should ensure the prospective WISE The WorkSafe Incentive Scheme for Employers (WISE) aims to secure full or part-time, durable work for workers who cannot RTW with their injury employer by placing them with a new employer. The new employer is paid a wage subsidy for taking on the worker. employer:
- is offering full-time Full-time worker means a worker who is employed for at least the normal number of hours fixed in any industrial award applicable to the worker or if there is no applicable award the prescribed number of hours, part-time or casual employment that is likely to continue after the six month WISE period; and
- has WorkCover insurance; and
- understands how to claim WISE payments; and
- understands they have access to WorkCover insurance against the costs of a new or recurring injury during the WISE placement, unless they are a self-insurer, or interstate or Commonwealth Government employer; and
- is an employer who can access WISE; and
- is an employer with current workers’ compensation insurance policy In this Act — workers compensation cover means insurance or registration required under a law of another State or of a Territory in respect of liability for statutory workers compensation under that law appropriate for the State or jurisdiction in which the worker will be employed.
WorkSafe Agents must pre-approve WISE placements before the worker reaches the minimum 8 hours per week to qualify for WISE commencement. WISE approval and therefore payments cannot be backdated.
The Agent should promptly consider any workplace modification recommendation included in a RC810 Workplace Report. The Agent must also:
- monitor and support the worker during the WISE placement and consider whether OR Occupational Rehabilitation provider services may be needed to help them remain at work; and
- make payments to the WISE employer and OR provider promptly on receiving a WISE payment form or invoice using the correct WISE payment codes and service item codes.
See: Workplace equipment or modifications
Agent discretion
The Agent may:
- pay the WISE employer a Week 1 payment and part of the Week 13 payment if the WISE placement fails within the first 13 weeks for reasons other than the employer withdrawing the employment; and/or
- approve up to five concurrent or consecutive WISE placements, where a previous WISE placement failed for reasons other than worker non-participation.