Chapter 2: The Seacare Authority - performance of its statutory functions
Chapter 2: The Seacare Authority — Performance of its statutory functions
- 2.1 Seacare Authority accountability framework
- 2.2 The Outcome and Output for 2002–03
- 2.3 Strategic directions
- 2.4 Seacare Authority Strategic Plan 2002–03 to 2003–04
- 2.5 Seacare Business Plan 2002–03
- 2.6 Relationships with national OHS and workers' compensation bodies
Table 2 below provides a schematic picture of the Seacare Accountability Framework, and provides an overview of the matters covered in this chapter.
2.1 The Seacare Authority Accountability Framework
Table2: Seacare Accountability Framework 2002–03
| Element | Role | Result |
| Minister | Agrees to the Outcome and Output/s, and Parliament appropriates financial resources to enable the Authority to deliver the expected Output/s | Seacare and Comcare advise the Minister in establishing the Outcome and Output/s |
| Outcome | Captured in the Portfolio Budget Statement (PBS). It specifies what the Government is expecting from its annual budget appropriation to the function — "higher productivity, higher pay workplaces" | |
| Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority (Seacare Authority) | Responsible for helping the Government achieve the Outcome by implementing the Output within its legislative responsibilities | Advises the Minister on the performance of its functions as specified in the legislation it administers – to support the Government's specified Outcome |
| Output | Captured in the PBS. It contains performance measures which are reported in the Seacare Authority Annual Report | |
| Seacare Authority Strategic Plan 2002-03 to 2003-04 | Authority develops a Strategic Plan to plan and prioritise initiatives and actions, and to measure implementation progress in working towards delivery of the Output | The Strategic Plan is overlayed by a Mission, which is: "To take a leading role in minimising the human and financial costs of workplace injury in the Australian maritime industry" |
| Element | Role | Result |
| Seacare Management Group (SMG) | Staff in the Seacare Management Group are responsible for supporting the Authority and carrying out its strategic plan, supported by an annual Business Plan | Comcare provides staff which form the Seacare Management Group. Comcare also provides secretarial assistance and enabling services to the SMG eg computer support, financial management support, human resource support, accommodation |
| Seacare Management Group Business Plan 2002-03 | SMG sets detailed priorities and a program of work through an annual Business Plan, signed off by the Authority | The Business Plan identifies the specific actions and activities which the SMG is required to deliver in the financial year |
| Annual Report to Parliament | Seacare Authority reports to Parliament on the operation of the Authority and on scheme performance — how has it delivered the Output and contributed to the Outcome | Performance is reported in the annual report |
2.2 The Outcome and Output for 2002–03
During 2002–03 the Authority contributed towards the Government's Outcome higher productivity, higher pay workplaces. The Output expected of the Seacare Authority in assisting meet this Government Outcome was to administer the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 (and other scheme legislation).
The performance measures for this Output are: (i) the level of satisfaction of the Minister with policy advice on the seafarers workers' compensation arrangements; and (ii) the level of satisfaction of stakeholders (Seacare Authority, insurers, relevant maritime industry parties and employers) with the administration of the Seafarers workers' compensation arrangements.
DEWR advised the Seacare Authority that on a scale of one to five (five being the highest), the Minister's satisfaction with the Seacare Authority's performance was rated as three. A stakeholder satisfaction survey conducted independently by the Authority found a level of satisfaction of 79%, or 4.2 on a five point rating scale.
2.3 Strategic directions
The Seacare scheme is one of ten rehabilitation and workers' compensation schemes in Australia and one of two such schemes operating under Commonwealth legislation (Comcare being the other). It is one of eleven OHS schemes and one of three operating under Commonwealth legislation (Comcare and the offshore oil and gas sector, regulated by the OHS schedule to the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 being the others). As a Commonwealth statutory authority the Seacare Authority is guided by Commonwealth Government policy.
2.4 Seacare Authority Strategic Plan 2002–03to 2003–04
The Authority adopted a two year Strategic Plan (2002–03 to 2003–04)in August 2002. The Strategic Plan was established around the Authority's mission to take a leading role in minimising the human and financial costs of workplace injury in the Australian maritime industry.
Having regard to the Output specified in the Portfolio Budget Statements, the Authority's Strategic Plan is built around its responsibility to administer scheme legislation. In relation to administration of the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993, the Authority's objective is: to secure the health, safety and welfare at work of maritime industry employees; in relation to administration of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992, the Authority's objective is:
to promote an efficient and effective scheme of rehabilitation, return to work and compensation for maritime industry employees; and in relation to the administration of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Act 1992 and Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Collection Act 1992 the Authority's objective is: to efficiently administer the Seafarers Safety Net Fund and supporting levy collection arrangements.
Within this framework the Strategic Plan places a high priority on policy development and practical initiatives aimed at:
- monitoring the operation of the Seafarers Act;
- ensuring that the obligations imposed by the OHS(MI) Act and regulations are complied with;
- promoting high operational standards of claims management and effective rehabilitation procedures by employers;
- cooperating with other bodies or persons with the aim of reducing the incidence of injuries to employees;
- publishing material relating to the operation of the Act, to claims management and rehabilitation and relating to the incidence of injuries;
- formulating policies and strategies relating to the occupational health and safety of employees;
- advising operators, employees
- or contractors on OHS matters;
- collecting, interpreting and reporting information relating to OHS;
- liaising with other bodies concerned with OHS;
- accrediting OHS representatives training courses;
- advising the Minister on rehabilitation, compensation and in relation to OHS, on the most effective means of giving effect to the objects of the OHS(MI) Act, on the making of OHS regulations and on approval of codes of practice; and
- monitoring the operation of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Act 1992and Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Collection Act 1992 and regulations.