• Summary of recent activities
• Strategic partnerships

In August 1998 WorkCover's Access and Equity unit initiated collaborative partnerships with representatives of four equity groups. Forty peak, state and federal government and community organisations are represented across these groups:

• people with disabilities
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• women
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

These partnerships embrace a consultative process that provides forums for discussions throughout the year. The discussions enable development of initiatives that enhance access to the injury management system and service outcomes for these equity groups.

Stakeholder committees are invited to participate at key events held at WorkCover.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for stakeholder committees are:

• to provide feedback to WorkCover on matters related to our products and services, from their perspective
• to provide an opportunity for consultation and communication with each sector on rehabilitation and compensation services, access barriers and appropriate outcomes.

Highlights 2005

Stakeholder committee meetings were held bi-monthly. The highlights for 2005 included:

• the Multicultural Stakeholder Committee developed its second business plan for public release
• a brochure on Racism and the workplace: Information for employers was developed and released
• stakeholder committees reported a high level of satisfaction with the access and equity service.