Research grants now available to target better outcomes for people injured in accidents

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Research grants now available to target better outcomes for people injured in accidents

15 April 2019

  • Insurance Commission to provide $200,000 to WA physiotherapy and occupational therapy researchers
  • The research aims to improve the independence of people seriously injured in accidents, and keep insurance premiums affordable 

The State Government's insurer, the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (Insurance Commission), will fund an independence-improving research program for people seriously injured in vehicle or workplace accidents.

It will run for 18 months and be co-ordinated by the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Occupational Therapy Australia, and their respective research foundations. 

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists can apply for funding provided proposed research aims to improve the lives of people seriously injured in WA.

Up to $200,000 will be available for research over the total program. 

The Insurance Commission manages personal injury claims for people injured in crashes on the road and for government agency staff injured in the workplace. Many claims involve the injured person requiring rehabilitation to help them return to work and the community.

In 2018, the Insurance Commission paid for almost 100,000 sessions for its claimants to see allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Effective rehabilitation delivered by allied health professionals can help people recover from injury more quickly and, consequently, reduce the cost of claims and the premiums paid by motorists and employers.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt: "I commend the Insurance Commission for funding allied health research designed to help people recover following an injury sustained in a crash or at work.

"In 2018, the Insurance Commission made around $550 million in claims payments to injured people, so it is sensible for it to pursue programs that aim to reduce that cost, while improving outcomes for its clients."

APA National President Phil Calvert: “This is a great example of a Government-owned insurer funding a program that delivers real value to seriously injured workers and road accident survivors. Physios are experts at managing complex injury rehabilitation for their clients and helping them reintegrate back into work and social routines. Funding new research to support this is going to make a big difference to the lives of many injured people in WA.”

Dr Angela Berndt, President, Occupational Therapy Australia: “When Occupational Therapy Australia established the Research Foundation it is precisely this type of relationship and research into functional outcomes with an impact at individual, community and population levels that was envisaged. We are pleased to be working with the Insurance Commission to make a real difference to the lives of people who have suffered serious injury.”

Page Last Updated 28 Aug 2020

Media contact

Wendy Vu
Communications Officer
+61 8 9264 3652
wendy.vu@icwa.wa.gov.au