NSW’s State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) is seeking industry feedback after identifying a trend of deteriorating rates of return to work in the state last year.

The return-to-work rate under the nominal insurer fell to 74% in the latest study, from above 90% in prior results since 2014. SIRA says it is investigating the causes and providing direction to insurers regarding data quality and performance.

SIRA has published a survey aimed at helping it strengthen its measurement of “return to work” across the schemes it regulates. Submissions will be accepted until March 2.

“We're seeking stakeholder feedback to help inform the way return to work rates are measured in the NSW workers’ compensation and motor accidents CTP (Compulsory Third Party) schemes,” SIRA says.

Recent research shows both key return-to-work benchmarks in NSW, the returned to work rate and the current return to work rate, were in many cases significantly lower compared to previous years.

The impact of delays on injured people is a serious concern, SIRA says, citing evidence that the longer an injured worker is away from work, the less likely they are to ever return.

Click here to participate in the consultation.