NSW state insurer icare says Customer Advocate Darrin Wright will lead a review of its Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) personal injury business, which provides workers’ compensation cover for government agencies.

In recent months Mr Wright has also overseen reviews of the Home Building Compensation Fund and the Nominal Insurer scheme.

“We’re aiming to build on these learnings from icare’s related schemes and ask our customer advocate to undertake a review of the experience our customers are having in the TMF fund,” CEO John Nagle said.

Insurance for NSW supports 202 public sector agencies, providing cover for 329,000 workers and 82,000 volunteers across the state.

The review will start late this year, with a final report to be published by the end of June next year.

The insurer also says the continuing impact of COVID-19 is placing pressure on return-to-work rates.

The 26-week measure, used as a key benchmark, has improved over the past year and reached 82% in March and April.

But since March there has been a reduction in suitable duties available to previously injured workers, while the number of new claims has declined as many workers face reduced hours or were stood down.

“Despite this, we remain focused on doing everything we can to support workers and employers in the current environment, and keeping return-to-work rates as stable as possible,” Group Executive Personal Injury Elizabeth Uehling said.