WorkCover WA will no longer supply workers’ compensation claims histories to employers and prospective employers.

In the past the agency has provided the information on request and with the consent of the person involved, but says it has received legal advice that it should discontinue the practice.

An employer or employee can still apply for information regarding individual claims and policies “through the processes set out in the Freedom of Information Act 1992”.

“This formalises the process previously employed by WorkCover WA whereby information was released, with the permission of the injured worker involved,” an agency spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

A WorkSafe Victoria spokesman says it does not provide a worker’s compensation claims history to employers or prospective employers.

And WorkCover NSW says it has never provided information on individual claims histories due to “privacy restrictions”.