Safety and Rehabilitation Policy

The Directorate of Safety & Rehabilitation Policy (DSRP) is responsible for the related functions of safety, rehabilitation and compensation policy within the Work Health and Safety Branch, People Strategies and Policy Group.

The Directorate manages the development, promulgation and review of Defence WHS and Rehabilitation policy for Services and Groups within the Department, to assist them in meeting legislative requirements and achieving Defence WHS Strategy objectives.

Primary responsibilities undertaken by this Directorate include:

• Manage and develop WHS, rehabilitation, return to work and compensation policy,
• Development of absence management and injury prevention strategies and associated guidance material for APS personnel,
• Manage the business relationship with Comcare - includes workers’ compensation premium management and WHS regulatory arrangements,
• Preparation and coordination of Ministerial representations and briefs on military and civilian rehabilitation and compensation scheme arrangements,
• Secretariat support to Defence’s senior representatives on the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

Safety

Commonwealth Work Health and Safety legislation provides a framework for health and safety management in Defence workplaces and flexibility in the management of hazards.

The primary source for strategic safety policy in the Defence organisation is the Defence Safety Manual, which provides relevant instructions, guidance and safety management procedures to support the implementation of Defence wide safety management systems.

Rehabilitation - APS

The Defence Civilian Injury/Illness Prevention and Management System (DCIPMS) is a framework for Services and Groups to assist in achieving improvement in Defence’s injury prevention, absence management and return to work outcomes. 

For information on absence management arrangements, Defence managers and supervisors can contact their local rehabilitation case manager through the Defence Service Centre on: 1800 333 362  

Defence APS employees who are injured or ill and require assistance to return to the workplace are advised to contact their manager or supervisor or alternatively the Defence Service Centre (1800 333 362) to be put in contact with a local rehabilitation case manager.

Programs and Resources aligned with DCIPMS:

• Defence Physical Injury Prevention Awareness Program.
• Civilian Absence Management in Defence – Education and Awareness Resource Kit.
• Defence APS Psychological Health Awareness Program.

Rehabilitation & Compensation - ADF

Australian Defence Force Rehabilitation Program (ADFRP)

Defence is responsible for the ‘in-service’ rehabilitation of its ADF members.  The ADFRP involves early identification, treatment and management of injury or illness through a coordinated response involving relevant parties.

The ADFRP sits within the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group (VCDF), Joint Health Command. 

Department of Veteran's Affairs

ADF members who require information relating to their military rehabilitation and compensation entitlements are advised to contact the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA).  The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA) benefits, administered by DVA, provides rehabilitation, treatment and compensation for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, including Reservists and cadets who suffer psychological or physical injury or contract a disease as a result of service.

Note: Rehabilitation is provided by DVA only where liability has been accepted for a claim for compensation in respect to a service related injury or illness.

Further information associated with the MRCA can be found on the DVA website.

For more information on Defence safety and rehabilitation policy, .

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