IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Effective 1 November 2010
If you are lodging an appeal against a review decision on a claims
matter your application must be lodged with the Queensland
Industrial Relations Commission (the Industrial Magistrates Court
will only accept appeal applications against review decisions on
premium matters). Non-reviewable decisions must be appealed to the
Industrial Magistrates Court against the Insurer (not Q-COMP)
Appeal a review decision - an
employer's step-by-step guide
Workers and employers who are dissatisfied with a Q-COMP claim
review decision can appeal to the Queensland Industrial Relations
Commission (QIRC) within 20 business days of receiving the
decision.
Q-COMP defends its review decisions in the Commission. The
parties to an appeal may be:
- the appellant-the person or organisation who files the
appeal
- the respondent-Q-COMP.
On receipt of the Appeal a Q-COMP appeals officer is allocated
to manage the case. You can contact the appeals officer at
anytime to ask questions or discuss the case with them.
Step 1: Prepare your written
Notice of Appeal
When filing in the QIRC, use the form located on their
website (under Forms - Appeals against Q-COMP
Review
Decisions).
While not compulsory, you should also provide grounds if you are
unhappy with a statutory claim decision. This will assist in
the appeal process.
Step 2: File your appeal within 20
business days of receiving the review decision
File your written Notice of Appeal in person, by post or by fax*
with:
Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
13th Floor
Central Plaza 2
66 Eagle Street
BRISBANE QLD 4000
*post the original if faxing
Step 3: Send a copy of the Notice
of Appeal to Q-COMP within 10
business days of filing in the Commission.
Send to:
Q-COMP Appeals Unit
PO Box 10119
Adelaide Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Step 4: Appear at the
Commission 'callover'
After you've filed your Notice of Appeal, the Commission
allocates a callover date and sends you a notice to appear in
person-the appeal is not determined at this time. We suggest that
you seek legal advice before your callover. You can also
discuss the matter with an appeals officer.
At callover, the Commission will need to know:
-
whether you are ready to proceed with the hearing
-
the number of witnesses you intend to call to give evidence to
prove your case and their availability
-
how long the hearing is likely to take.
They will then set a hearing date.
The QIRC may require you to conference with Q-COMP (or you may
choose to) and they will contact you to arrange a time. A
Commissioner attends the conference, assisting the parties to
discuss the issues and attempt to resolve the appeal without a
hearing. If the appeal is not resolved, the Commissioner will order
the matter be listed for a callover and a hearing date set (s.
552A, Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act
2003).
If you are not ready to go to a hearing, your matter may be
given a 'mention' date where the parties must again let the
Commission know if they are ready to proceed.
Note: the Commission will issue a Directions Order with orders
to be completed by the parties before the hearing.
Step 5: Attend the
hearing
You must prove your case 'on the balance of probabilities' and
you will need to call witnesses to give evidence to support your
appeal. You arrange for your witnesses, including doctors, to give
evidence, and pay any costs involved.
The parties must exchange copies of any relevant document/s that
you may rely on before the hearing at least ten days prior,
although this may occur at any time prior.
There is no jury. The Commissioner will hear both sides of the
appeal and give their decision (either on the day or at a later
date) based on the facts and evidence.
Step 6: Pay any appeal
costs
You may have to pay appeal costs if:
-
you engage a solicitor or a third party to assist you in the
appeal
-
your appeal is unsuccessful and the Commission orders appeal
costs against you. The successful party may seek an order from the
Commission that the other party pay their appeal costs. Q-COMP's
costs may include fees for barristers and witnesses.
Any costs awarded by the Commission will be paid according to
Schedule 3 scale "E" Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999
and will not cover your entire costs.
Step 7: Appeal to the Industrial
Court within 21 days
You can appeal to the Industrial Court if you are not happy with
the Commission decision-it must be filed within 21 days of the
decision using the form from the Industrial Court of Queensland
website www.qirc.qld.gov.au.
The decision of the Industrial Court is
final.