This article is the third in a series comparing jurisdictional websites. Showdown numero uno saw a face-off between NSW, WA and SA, and numero dos saw VIC, TAS and NT try and run each other out of town. Here, we round up the stragglers: Comcare, the ACT and Qld.

COMCARE

Claims forms and processes
Comcare has a very thorough online resource of forms. Not only is there a workers' comp claim form, there are also claim forms for the gym and / or household services, and a series of RTW forms, including one that assists with the identification of suitable duties and another that lays out a RTW plan. Just in case you were feeling overwhelmed by all this potential paperwork, the claims tab provides an excellent Q&A style guide to making a claim.   

Practical RTW / injury management info
We were very impressed with the information about early intervention provided on the Comcare site, and the section on RTW planning contains useful info too. 

Links to relevant legislation
The laws and regulations tab has got the nuts and bolts of workers' comp / RTW covered.

Up-to-date information
The Comcare homepage has up-to-date news and features, including information about a research project into the expectations, experience and outcomes of injured workers. We'll be keeping an eye on the results...

Positive partnership messages
It's good to see that when outlining RTW roles and responsibilities, Comcare stresses the importance of senior management and supervisor involvement, as well as encouraging the injured worker to be an active participant. However, there is no clear statement that working together ensures the best results.

  Focus on workplace health
We couldn't find anything on the Comcare site about workplace health and wellbeing.

 Annual report
Comcare annual reports from 01/02 to 08/09 are accessible here.

Appearance / Ease of navigation
The Comcare site is easy to get around and easy enough on the eye--nothing spectacular, just well organised functionality.

WORKCOVER ACT

Claims forms and processes
ACT WorkCover's sections on workers and employers explains the relevant processes but we couldn't actually find a claim forms on the ACT website. It was the end of a long day, but such a basic resource should be end-of-a-long-day resistent, in our opinion! Let us know if we're maligning WorkCover ACT's good name.

Practical RTW / injury management info
There isn't a great deal of practical info on the ACT site: what little there is you can find in this injury management section and these information bulletins.

Links to relevant legislation
The ACT homepage contains a link to the relevant legislation, online here.

Up-to-date information
While none of the info on the ACT site stood out as geriatric, there's no breaking news either: it's now mid-April, and the top item in the news section is a hazard alert from February.

Positive partnership messages
There's not even the slightest, slyest, smidgiest hint of the 'power of partnerships' message on the ACT website.

   Focus on workplace health
Nor does ACT WorkCover mention workplace health and wellbeing. 

  Annual report
There are a couple of workers' comp related reports in this list of audit reports, but we couldn't find an annual report.

Appearance / Ease of navigation
WorkCover ACT definitely caught us at the grumpy end of the day, but we're pretty sure that even on a good day the site is a) not particularly pretty; b) average in terms of navigation; and c) don't even get us started on the sloooow search function. Seriously, it was quicker and easier to just use Google.

Q-COMP

Claims forms and processes
Q-Comp provides links to claims forms and processes, most of which are outlined on the WorkCover Queensland site.

Practical RTW / injury management info
The Q-Comp site contains a wealth of practical information including a guide to developing suitable duties programs, an educational tool to help people manage pain, discomfort and injury at work, an employer checklist for developing injury management policies and procedures and even a template PowerPoint presentation to help RTW Coordinators make the case for best practice injury management. Its all grouped together in the 'RTW Zone'. Great work, Q-Comp! 

Links to relevant legislation
The laws, policies and guidelines section contains a comprehensive list of relevant links.

Up-to-date information
The Q-Comp homepage looks to be updated regularly with a rolling scroll of workers' comp news.

Positive partnership messages
While there is no direct statement of the partnership approach on the Q-Comp site, the three short RTW Journey films in the RTW Zone convey something of the team effort needed to achieve safe and successful RTW. These highlight the role of the injured worker, the rehab / RTW coordinator and the treating doctor. However, we would have liked to see something from the perspective of another key player in RTW: the supervisor.  

  Focus on workplace health
Workplace health is not a focus on the Q-Comp site.

 Annual report
The Q-Comp annual report and statistics report are both available here.

Appearance / Ease of navigation
This is an engaging and accessible site.