Part of WorkCover WA’s role in ensuring the State’s workers’ compensation and injury management scheme operates effectively includes providing a dispute resolution service to resolve disputed workers’ compensation matters.

Disputes can arise between different people or parties involved in a workers’ compensation claim. In these cases, WorkCover WA's independent Dispute Resolution Directorate - the DRD – is the sole legal jurisdiction for resolving or settling disputed compensation claims. A ‘resolution’ means ending a problem or having a decision made formally, and the aim of the DRD is to help workers and employers resolve disputes fairly and promptly. The DRD is headed by a Commissioner who is also a District Court Judge.

Resolving a dispute can be an involved process. There are forms and applications to be completed, documents to be gathered and filed, and conferences and hearings to be held. While the DRD is commited to dealing with disputes promptly, delays can eventuate where parties to a dispute fail to follow the application and lodgement process.

This section of the website provides you with information about the workers’ compensation dispute resolution process in Western Australia.

You may find the following links of interest:

• How does the Dispute Resolution Directorate operate?
• Information on the Dispute Resolution Directorate Director and Arbitrators 
• Contact the Dispute Resolution Directorate
• DVD on dispute resolution
• DRD E-Link