Inside Comcare: Your 60-Second Guide to a Government Career 🚀
Ever wondered what it’s like to work at Comcare? We’ve pored over their latest annual report so you don’t have to! In this bite-sized overview, discover everything you need about Comcare—from its major functions and finances to the skills they look for in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or an eager school leaver, this guide will help you take the next step toward an Australian Public Service career.
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: Comcare
Location: Offices across Australia (Head Office in Canberra, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, and Launceston)
CEO: Mr. Greg Vines
Total Revenue:
Total income (2023–24): Approx. $339 million
Consisting mainly of workers’ compensation premiums ($213.1 million), other cost-recovery revenue ($40.0 million), interest and other revenue ($30.0 million), and revenue from government ($55.9 million)
Comcare recorded an operating deficit of $5.5 million in 2023–24
Note: These figures are derived from Table 10 in the annual report (Comcare financial operating result)
Total Number of Employees: 722 as of 30 June 2024
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO COMCARE
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited
Bachelor of Business / Commerce
How it helps: Focuses on financial stewardship, corporate governance, and strategic thinking—vital for premium setting and ensuring Comcare’s strong financial viability.
Bachelor of Law (LLB/JD)
How it helps: Comcare’s legislative framework (the WHS Act, SRC Act, etc.) requires legal experts who can draft policies, oversee investigations, and ensure compliance.
Health Sciences / Allied Health (e.g., Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy)
How it helps: Essential for understanding injury management, prevention strategies, and Return to Work (RTW) initiatives.
Bachelor of Psychology / Social Sciences
How it helps: Psychological injury prevention and RTW support are significant areas, especially given rising psychosocial hazards at work.
IT / Data Analytics (Certificate IV, Diploma, or Bachelor)
How it helps: Comcare invests in data-driven strategies, analytics, and digital service transformations—IT roles underpin these improvements.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited
Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
How it helps: Equips you to perform compliance checks, identify hazards, and champion safe workplaces.
Project Management Professional (PMP) / PRINCE2
How it helps: Managing large-scale initiatives like improving claims systems or deploying new regulatory programs.
Certificate in Government (Investigations)
How it helps: Enables thorough, compliant investigations into potential WHS breaches under the WHS Act.
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)
How it helps: Facilitates Comcare’s engagement and education programs for employees and licensees.
Lean Six Sigma / Business Process Improvement
How it helps: Assists with ongoing process enhancements, which is crucial for meeting RTW and operational targets.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited
Health and Rehabilitation Professionals (Allied Health, Nursing)
How it helps: Offers expert input for supporting injured workers and developing innovative early intervention strategies.
Legal Professionals (Solicitors, Barristers)
How it helps: Manages legislation, undertakes enforcement, and delivers advice for Comcare’s multiple functions.
Policy / Program Officers (Government / Public Administration)
How it helps: Develops legislative guidance, manages stakeholder relationships, and drives public-sector projects.
IT Professionals (Data Analysts, System Architects, Cybersecurity Specialists)
How it helps: Powers the digital transformation and ensures secure data handling for claims and financial management.
Work Health and Safety Advisers / Inspectors
How it helps: Conducts site visits, incident investigations, and ensures compliance with the WHS Act.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited
Policy Analysis and Development
Why it matters: Comcare designs and refines the national workers’ compensation and WHS frameworks.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Why it matters: Promotes best-practice WHS, fosters trust, and manages complex multi-party cases.
Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Why it matters: Critical for refining claims processing, evaluating RTW outcomes, and improving data-driven decision-making.
Emotional Intelligence and Client Service
Why it matters: Claims can involve sensitive or lengthy recovery journeys—empathy builds rapport and trust.
Project and Change Management
Why it matters: Ensures smooth delivery of new services (like the RTW Brokerage Program) and adapts to evolving legislative requirements.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited
Public Sector / APS Experience
Why it matters: Familiarity with policy-making and government processes helps you navigate Comcare’s statutory framework.
Insurance / Claims Management Background
Why it matters: Comcare manages complex claims, so prior experience can streamline case handling and outcomes.
Regulatory or Compliance Roles
Why it matters: Enforcement of the WHS Act requires in-depth knowledge of compliance principles and regulatory best practice.
Customer Service / Client-Facing Roles
Why it matters: People-focused roles build the communication skills needed for working with injured employees or workplaces.
Project Delivery / Continuous Improvement
Why it matters: Many Comcare projects revolve around process enhancements, from IT transformations to new initiatives for psychological health.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Comcare
Name of CEO: Greg Vines
Location: Australia-wide coverage under the WHS Act and the SRC Act
Year Founded: 1988 (under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988)
Main Mission and Purpose:
To promote and enable safe and healthy work across the Australian Public Service and self-insured licensees.
Example: A new proactive Incident Management Systems inspection program helps agencies prevent or mitigate workplace incidents before they escalate.
Main Duties of the Department:
WHS Regulator: Enforces the WHS Act for Australian Government agencies and certain self-insured licensees.
Insurer: Sets and collects workers’ compensation premiums to meet liabilities and operating costs.
Claims Manager: Oversees claims for Australian Government employees under the SRC Act, including psychological and physical injuries.
Scheme Manager: Guides policy and compliance for both premium-paying agencies and self-insured licensees.
Example: Return to Work Brokerage Service (now the Career Transition Program) has improved RTW outcomes by over 200% for some participants.
Key Projects, Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives:
Psychosocial Hazard Prevention: Targeted inspections focusing on mental health, aligning with updated psychosocial regulations.
Data-Driven Insights 📊: Emphasis on analytics to refine claim management, reduce premiums, and enhance injury prevention strategies.
Digital Transformation: Large-scale, system-wide improvements (STEP initiative) for faster claims processing and better customer experience.
Major Infrastructure Projects Oversight: Comcare’s dedicated regulatory teams ensure safe working conditions on large construction projects.
Did You Know?
Comcare’s average Commonwealth premium rate is 0.84%—well below the 1% target.
It maintains a funding ratio of 112%, indicating strong financial sustainability.
Over 472,000 FTE employees are covered under the SRC Act, and 441,000 FTE employees under the WHS Act.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 722 (as of 30 June 2024)
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
~614 Ongoing Employees
~108 Non-ongoing
Ranging from APS 1–6 to Executive Levels (EL1–EL2) and Senior Executive Service (SES)
Salary Bands:
APS Level 1: ~AU$50k–$60k
APS Level 6: up to ~AU$100k
Executive Level (EL 1–2): ~AU$110k–$145k
Senior Executive Service (SES): ~AU$170k+
(Based on APS frameworks and Comcare enterprise arrangements)
Average Salary in the Department:
Not explicitly stated. However, typical APS mid-range salaries often fall between AU$90k and AU$110k.
Total Revenue:
Derived from workers’ compensation premiums, cost-recovery, interest, and government funding—totaling around $339 million
Operating Deficit of $5.5 million in 2023–24
Average Revenue per Employee:
Specific figure is not provided. Comcare’s strong premium collection and cost controls keep it financially stable.
GETTING A JOB AT COMCARE
Which Academic Subjects?
Comcare welcomes a broad range of certifications and qualifications, from Certificate I to PhDs.
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Subjects: WHS, HR, Government Investigations, IT Support
Why Valuable: Perfect for roles in incident response, call centres, or administrative support in claims processing.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Subjects: Law, Business, Commerce, Psychology, Data Science, Communications
Why Valuable: In-demand roles in legal, data analysis, education, and policy.
PhDs:
Subjects: Public Policy, Organisational Psychology, Advanced Data Analytics
Why Valuable: Great for research-intensive positions, strategic policy advisory, or highly specialised analytics.
Which Trades and Professions?
Allied Health Practitioners, Policy Officers, IT Specialists, Legal Officers, WHS Inspectors
Why Valuable: Comcare’s multifaceted roles—from legal advisories to frontline inspections—require professionals from various backgrounds.
Which Work Experiences?
Government Administration, Claims Management, Compliance/Audit, Project Delivery, Customer Service
Why Valuable: Having experience with multi-stakeholder environments, case management, or large-scale project implementation can help you contribute effectively.
Which Skills?
Soft Skills:
Communication, Empathy, Adaptability, Collaboration
Why Valuable: Managing sensitive claims and working with broad stakeholder groups.
Technical Skills:
WHS Audit Techniques, Data Analytics, Legal Research, Policy Drafting
Why Valuable: Enables strong evidence-based interventions and ensures legislative compliance.
General Skills:
Report Writing, Customer Service, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution
Why Valuable: Core to drafting thorough claims assessments and maintaining productive relationships with claimants or licensees.
Which Hobbies and Interests?
Community Volunteering (e.g., mental health advocacy, local council committees)
Demonstrates empathy and civic-mindedness—key traits for Comcare’s public-facing roles.
Safety-Focused Activities (e.g., volunteer firefighting, first aid, life saving)
Reflects a passion for health and wellbeing.
Tech and Innovation (e.g., coding clubs, hackathons)
Contributes to Comcare’s push toward data-driven, digitally enhanced workflows.
Health and Fitness
Aligns with Comcare’s overarching mission of fostering healthy workplaces.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Contact the Department:
Address: GPO Box 9905, Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: 1300 366 979
Email: cso@comcare.gov.au
Website: www.comcare.gov.au
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