I-Care and Work Cover under review by SIRA to improve workers' insurance

After member feedback on the issue, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority instigated a formal compliance and performance review of NSW workers compensation Nominal Insurer's agents, Allianz, EML and GIO.

Manager of Riverina Murray Business Chambers, Andrew Cottrill, said the overarching feeling of Wagga's businesses was frustration.

"We've been hearing from our members in the Riverina Murray and also right across the state about issues with the work cover system and the challenges with things like poor case management, delayed return to work and escalating premiums," he said.

"What we heard today was impassioned local businesses who are frustrated with the system."

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Mr Cottrill said the issues associated with poor work cover was detrimental to the wider society as well as just the business involved.

"[Businesses] want to get their people back to work. They have a vested interest to get a good outcome with someone who has been injured," he said.

"Bills aren't being paid, local businesses are having to pay their own medico bills because the claims aren't being processed fast enough, so there is huge frustration around workers being capable and wanting to come back to work but the system just isn't letting them."

With about 20 businesses from across the region in attendance, Mr Cottrill said feedback was the key to getting results.

"Employees are the key in all this, they want their staff to be as productive as possible, they want employees back to work as soon as they can, and they want good outcomes for themselves and the injured worker," he said.

"The system clearly isn't working for businesses at the moment so we are hoping this forum will come up with some solutions to get the system where it needs to be."

Janet Dore is the private review consultant of the I-Care and Work Cover system.

"It's a very complex system, you have the worker, the employer, the insurer, the regulator who sets the rules, but when you're actively managing a claim, the focus is obviously on the injured worker and employers want to assist," she said.

"Any system needs, and can benefit from, improvement and a different perspective informed by listening to people who have real experience on the ground is the key to that.

Ms Dore said from here, the next step is pinpointing the issue and making educated choices.

"There will be a lot of data analysis, and I'm encouraging people to submit their individual experiences for discussion to support any conclusions and recommendations made," she said.

Businesses and employees are being called on to provide suggestions and feedback via the SIRA website.