Victoria has set up an arbitration service to resolve workers’ compensation disputes, commencing on September 1.

The arbitration service will operate within the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service (ACCS), which will be known as the Workplace Injury Commission from September.

Under the new service, injured workers can choose to have their matter arbitrated by the Workplace Injury Commission if it is not resolved at conciliation.

The Workplace Injury Commission will have powers to make binding determinations on disputes, including compensation for weekly earnings, medical expenses, superannuation payments or interest payable.

ACCS says the changes are in line with the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Arbitration) Act 2021 to provide greater certainty for injured Victorian workers.

“The changes will expand our dispute resolution services to include arbitration that will complement our existing conciliation service,” ACCS says.

The ACCS facilitates the resolution of disputes by involving all parties – workers, employers, Victorian WorkCover Authority agents or self-insurers – in a process that is fair, economical, informal and quick.