Apply for a policy/premium review - step-by-step

Q-COMP independently reviews WorkCover Queensland’s decisions about:

• the assessment or reassessment of premium or

• waiving or reducing a penalty or additional premium for workers, claimants and employers

Q-COMP’s review service is free, but you will need to pay for any solicitor or another person who helps prepare your application—for information contact the Queensland Law Society.

Step 1: Apply for a review of WorkCover Queensland’s decision within three months of receiving WorkCover Queensland’s premium decision notice.

Download Form 542.3 Application for review (PDF 152.0 kb) or call us on 1300 739 021 and we’ll post one out.

Step 2: Detail why you are unhappy with WorkCover Queensland’s decision (i.e. the grounds for the review)

Keep it brief but make sure you state at least one area of dispute. WorkCover Queensland's reasons should help you to do this. Attach any documents or other information you want considered with your review application and send it by email, fax or post to:

Email: reviewunit@qcomp.com.au

Fax: 07 3020 6375

Post:
Q-COMP
PO Box 10119
Adelaide Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000

Step 3: Q-COMP writes back to confirm we have received your application

We allocate your application to a review officer to review the insurer’s decision. They will consider information from:

• the insurer's file

• right of appearance

• any other relevant information.

The review officer will contact you to discuss your application and ask you if you’d like to talk with them further in person or over the phone (known as your ‘right of appearance’)

Step 4: Attend your ‘right of appearance’ (optional)

Whether you take it up will not affect our review of WorkCover Queensland's decision. It helps to resolve the matter in a non-threatening, non-legal way. This is an opportunity for you to give us any additional information, or point out particular issues or knowledge you have about your case. You can bring your legal or non-legal representatives, or if you are a worker, a relative or friend for support

Step 5: Q-COMP decides the review within 25 business days unless we've agreed to an extension of time and you and the other party will each receive our written decision and reasons within 10 business days after the decision is made .

The review officer will either:

• confirm the original decision

• vary the original decision

• set aside the original decision and substitute another decision or

• set aside the original decision and return it to WorkCover Queensland with directions.

The 25 business day decision period can be extended only if you:

• agree to allow Q-COMP to obtain more information or

• apply for an extension to supply more information supporting your application.

If we don’t decide the review within 25 business days, or the agreed extended timeframe, you can:

• appeal to an Industrial Magistrate or the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission or

• wait for the review decision to be made.

Step 6: Appealing the review decision

If you (or the other party) are unhappy with our review decision, you (or the other party) can appeal to an Industrial Magistrate within 20 business days of receiving the review decision. Pay your WorkCover Queensland premium before you appeal a premium decision. You must explain why you are dissatisfied with the premium decision—the appeal will be limited to those reasons (‘grounds’).

Privacy, confidentiality and natural justice - the fine print

Q-COMP collects information to review a workers’ compensation insurer’s decision. As part of deciding the review, the rules of natural justice require that we disclose important information, including personal information, to others for their response—for example, to the worker, the insurer, the employer and any other person whose interests might be affected by our decision.

If you believe that information you provide to Q-COMP is covered by a genuine legal obligation of confidence, tell us in writing. We may still have to reveal the substance (but not the detail) of the confidential information to another if that is what natural justice requires.

For more information about the review process, call Q-COMP on 1300 739 021.