Local business owners, community organisations and industry representatives gathered at Bankstown Sports Club Events Centre on Tuesday, 30 June for a forum and select roundtable focused on workers’ compensation, workplace safety and mentally healthy workplaces.
Co-hosted by Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson, Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety the Hon. Sophie Cotsis, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Youth Justice, and Member for Bankstown The Hon. Jihad Dib and iCare NSW, the event brought together representatives from iCare, SafeWork NSW and the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) to hear directly from employers and community stakeholders.
While the broader morning forum covered workers’ compensation foundations, workplace mental health, and available business incentives and savings, the roundtable that followed provided participants with an opportunity to raise practical concerns and seek advice on issues affecting their workplaces.
Minister Cotsis said the purpose of the discussion was to listen to feedback from industry and small-to-medium businesses, particularly on the pressures employers face when navigating claims, premiums, workplace culture and staff wellbeing.
A key issue raised was how employers can respond when they believe a workers’ compensation claim may be unsupported or potentially fraudulent. Participants were advised to follow the appropriate escalation process, beginning with the relevant claims service provider, followed by a review through iCare and, where necessary, further escalation to SIRA.
The conversation also explored the impact of psychological injury claims on workplace dynamics. Participants noted that when colleagues question the legitimacy of an injury claim, it can create tension, division and ongoing conflict within teams. The discussion acknowledged the challenge for employers in managing these internal pressures, particularly as current reforms make it more difficult to challenge psychological injury claims directly.
Representatives from iCare and SafeWork NSW encouraged employers to take a proactive approach by investing in workplace culture, early intervention and manager capability. Training and support options are available through webinars, tailored workplace sessions and more intensive on-site programs designed to respond to specific workplace needs.
The importance of managers was a strong theme throughout the roundtable. Participants agreed that managers often have a major influence on employee wellbeing, morale and whether staff feel comfortable seeking support early. Building managers’ confidence and skills was identified as an important step in preventing issues from escalating into more serious workplace disputes or claims.
The roundtable also considered the wider pressures employees may bring into the workplace, including housing stress, financial hardship and other non-work-related concerns that can affect concentration, safety and wellbeing. While employers cannot resolve every external issue, participants heard that they can make a meaningful difference by creating supportive environments, directing staff to relevant services and promoting a culture of understanding.
Concern was also raised about workers’ compensation premiums and whether the current system fairly reflects the circumstances of small businesses. Participants noted that a single significant claim can have a much greater financial impact on a smaller employer than on a larger organisation, even where the business has maintained strong safety practices.
In response, attendees were advised that a review of premium methodology is planned, with business input expected to play a role in shaping a fairer and more equitable model.
The discussion concluded with iCare committing to provide relevant contact details for claim-specific matters, distribute information about available savings, discounts and support services, and connect participants with opportunities to contribute to the upcoming premium methodology review.
The Bankstown roundtable highlighted the value of direct engagement between government agencies, business owners and community organisations. It also reinforced that improving workplace safety and wellbeing requires more than compliance alone; it depends on practical support, strong leadership, early intervention and systems that recognise the realities facing local employers.
