Impact of WorkCover WA Travel Fee Changes on Occupational Therapy Service Delivery

Introduction:

Members may be aware, Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) has been advocating to WorkCover WA regarding the occupational therapy fee structure under the WA Workers Compensation Scheme.

We are pleased to share that following our submission and sustained engagement, WorkCover WA has agreed to introduce a new item for comprehensive reports for occupational therapists, effective from 1 November 2025. The fee will be in line with physiotherapists where a rate of $231.25 per hour currently applies (indexed annually). Occupational therapists will be subject to the same controls that apply to physios, such as requirements for prior discussion with the insurer.

We are now turning our attention to another critical gap in the fee schedule: the lack of a dedicated worksite/home visit item for occupational therapists. Unlike physiotherapists, occupational therapists currently do not have access to a separate fee item for these visits - even though such visits are core to occupational therapy practice, particularly in the context of return-to-work planning, environmental assessments, and functional rehabilitation.

To support our next stage of advocacy, we are seeking your feedback on how the reduced travel rate (introduced on 1 July 2024) has affected your practice, and whether a worksite/home visit item would better reflect the realities of your work.

A reminder that previously travel was billed at $219/hr. Since 1 Nov 2024, travel is billed at $185.15/hr.

This short survey should take less than five minutes. Your input will directly inform OTA’s advocacy to WorkCover WA as we continue working to ensure fair, sustainable and fit-for-purpose remuneration for OT services.

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* 1. Are you an occupational therapist currently providing services under the WA Workers Compensation Scheme?

Yes

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* 2. Do you conduct worksite or home visits as part of your practice under this scheme?

Yes – frequently

Yes – occasionally

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* 3. Has the reduction in travel fees, implemented on 1 July 2024 (from $219/hr to $185.15/hr) impacted your willingness to travel for worksite/home visits?

Yes – significantly

Yes – somewhat

No impact

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* 4. If yes, how has your service delivery changed as a result? (tick all that apply)

I no longer accept clients who live beyond a certain distance

I avoid taking referrals that require travel

I am absorbing the financial loss

I am reconsidering my participation in the scheme

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Do you practice in a regional, rural or remote area?

Yes

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* 6. OTA is proposing to advocate for OTs to have a worksite/home visit item that would align with the current physiotherapy worksite visit item, which means the item would:

· Be billed at the same rate as the physio item (currently $231.25 per hour);

· Exclude associated report writing and travel;

· Have a suggested maximum duration of two hours; and

· Require prior approval from the insurer.

Do you support this advocacy?

Yes

Not sure

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* 7. Do you believe that the introduction of a dedicated ‘worksite/home visit’ item would better reflect the nature and cost of OT services?

Yes

Not Sure

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* 8. Optional: Please provide any additional comments. (open text)

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* 9. Are you happy for OTA to contact you about your responses if needed?

Yes

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* 10. `If you answered 'Yes' to Q9, please provide your name, phone number, and email address in the box below

Name

Email Address

Phone Number