The vast majority of workers' compensation claims progress to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Disputes can occur at any stage of a claim and arise over a broad range of matters, including the liability to pay compensation, the amount of weekly benefit to be paid, medical and related expenses, and return to work programs.

Occasionally parties need assistance to resolve disputes, so WorkCover WA provides Conciliation and Arbitration Services (CAS).

About the Conciliation and Arbitration Services

The CAS were established on 1 December 2011 as a result of an extensive legislative reform program and the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Act 2011.

The CAS provide an independent and transparent system for the fair, timely and cost-effective resolution of workers' compensation disputes in Western Australia.

The objectives of the CAS are:

• to provide timely resolution of disputes
• to be accessible, approachable and professional in all matters
• to minimise costs to parties in disputes
• in the case of conciliation, to lead to final and appropriate agreements
• in the case of arbitration, to enable disputes not resolved by conciliation to be determined according to their substantial merits with as little formality and technicality as practicable.

Steps to resolve a dispute

1. Before you lodge an application with WorkCover WA, you must have made reasonable attempts to resolve the dispute by negotiation with the other party. For advice to help you resolve the dispute before making a formal application to WorkCover WA, phone WorkCover WA's Advisory Service on 1300 794 744.
2. If the dispute is not resolved by negotiation, you can make an application to WorkCover WA's Conciliation Service.
3. If there are matters remaining in dispute at the conclusion of conciliation, an application can be made to WorkCover WA's Arbitration Service.

For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Conciliation and Arbitration Process