WorkSafe Data Dictionary
Version 7.12
(for WorkSafe database received in January 2016)
Compensation Research Database (CRD)
Contact Details:
Web: www.iscrr.com.au
Email: crd@iscrr.com.au
Phone: +61 9903 8610
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Abbreviations used throughout this document ......................................................................................................... 7
Note to researchers .................................................................................................................................................... 8
Claims Dataset ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Variable Short List ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Variable Detailed Description ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Claimant details ........................................................................................................................................................ 17
Unique de-identified claim number ..................................................................................................................... 17
De-identified claimant number ............................................................................................................................ 17
Claimant’s type of employment ........................................................................................................................... 17
Age at time of injury ............................................................................................................................................. 18
Age group at time of injury ................................................................................................................................... 18
ANZSCO Occupation group ................................................................................................................................... 19
ANSCO Occupation Type ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Statistical local area code based on residential postcode of claimant................................................................. 20
Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) based on postcode of claimant .......................................... 20
Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) based on postcode of claimant ......... 21
Gender of Claimant............................................................................................................................................... 22
Total gross earnings per-week pre injury/illness.................................................................................................. 22
Total hours worked per week pre-injury/illness .................................................................................................. 22
Ordinary earnings per week pre-injury ................................................................................................................ 23
Total overtime earnings per week pre-injury/illness ........................................................................................... 23
Total shift work earnings per week pre-injury/illness .......................................................................................... 23
Employer/Workplace Details .................................................................................................................................... 24
Workplace Industry group codes (ANZSIC) for activity of claimant ..................................................................... 24
Workplace Industry sub-group codes (ANZSIC) for activity of claimant .............................................................. 25
Unique workplace number – claimant’s current workplace ................................................................................ 25
Unique employer number – claimant’s current employer ................................................................................... 26
Current employer – legal entity type ................................................................................................................... 26
Workplace Industry group codes (ANZSIC) where injury sustained ..................................................................... 27
Workplace Industry sub-group codes (ANZSIC) where injury sustained .............................................................. 28
Size of current managing employer...................................................................................................................... 28
Employer number where injury occurred ............................................................................................................ 29
Workplace number where injury first sustained .................................................................................................. 29
Local government area of workplace ................................................................................................................... 30
Claim Details ............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Current claim type (Minor/Standard)................................................................................................................... 31
Date the claim was reclassified ............................................................................................................................ 31
Current claim start date........................................................................................................................................ 32
Current claim status (Open/Closed/Re-opened) .................................................................................................. 32
Reason for current claim status............................................................................................................................ 33
Number of days employer paid compensation .................................................................................................... 34
Date claim form received by employer ................................................................................................................ 35
Number of incapacity work days .......................................................................................................................... 35
Incapacity end date .............................................................................................................................................. 36
Incapacity start date ............................................................................................................................................. 36
Date the insurer agent receives claim form ......................................................................................................... 36
Claim Incomplete flag ........................................................................................................................................... 37
Flag – Injury occurred on journey to/from workplace ......................................................................................... 37
Date last weekly compensation received ............................................................................................................. 37
Date of last payment to claimant (non-weekly) ................................................................................................... 38
Claim lodged by Claimant/Employer .................................................................................................................... 38
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Date Claimant lodged claim to employer ............................................................................................................. 38
Medical only claim flag ......................................................................................................................................... 39
Previous claim classification code ........................................................................................................................ 39
Number of days of compensation paid ................................................................................................................ 40
Date first entered Scheme system ....................................................................................................................... 40
Standardised claim flag......................................................................................................................................... 41
First date of weekly compensation entitlement .................................................................................................. 43
Last date of weekly compensation entitlement ................................................................................................... 43
Injury Details ............................................................................................................................................................. 44
Date of Injury ........................................................................................................................................................ 44
The time during work the injury occurred............................................................................................................ 44
Major group associated with the mechanism of injury........................................................................................ 45
Sub-group associated with the mechanism of injury ........................................................................................... 45
Major group for the nature of the injury.............................................................................................................. 47
Nature of the injury as per VCODE ....................................................................................................................... 48
Nature of the injury as per TOOCS major group .................................................................................................. 48
Nature of the injury as per TOOCS subgroup ....................................................................................................... 49
Agency of injury major group (TOOCS 2008)........................................................................................................ 50
Agency of injury sub-group(TOOCS 2008) ............................................................................................................ 50
Claimant’s disability type ...................................................................................................................................... 51
Major group of the first bodily location of the injury........................................................................................... 51
Sub-group of the first bodily location of the injury .............................................................................................. 52
Major group of the second bodily location of the injury ...................................................................................... 53
Sub-group of the second bodily location of the injury ......................................................................................... 53
Major group of the third bodily location of the injury ......................................................................................... 54
Sub-group of the third bodily location of the injury ............................................................................................. 54
Gradual onset of injury flag .................................................................................................................................. 55
Total cost of aids and appliances used ................................................................................................................. 55
Agent accept medical only liability code .............................................................................................................. 55
Agent accept medical only liability date ............................................................................................................... 56
Community integration program flag ................................................................................................................... 56
Community integration program transfer date.................................................................................................... 56
Common law flag .................................................................................................................................................. 57
Common law case start date ................................................................................................................................ 57
Common law case resolved date .......................................................................................................................... 57
Impairment benefits flag ...................................................................................................................................... 57
Impairment benefits lodgement date .................................................................................................................. 58
Impairment benefit whole person impairment percentage ................................................................................ 58
Insurer accept time lost liability flag .................................................................................................................... 58
Insurer accept time lost liability date ................................................................................................................... 58
Insurer received date............................................................................................................................................ 59
Treatment Outcome Details ..................................................................................................................................... 59
Total Allied Health Provider Costs ........................................................................................................................ 59
Total costs for Chemist ......................................................................................................................................... 59
Total Cost for Chiropractor services ..................................................................................................................... 60
Date the claim reached 104 weeks of weekly compensation .............................................................................. 60
Date the claim reached 52 weeks of weekly compensation ................................................................................ 60
Total cost of doctor services ................................................................................................................................. 61
Date first weekly compensation was received ..................................................................................................... 61
Date first non-weekly compensation was received ............................................................................................. 61
Total costs of hospital services ............................................................................................................................. 62
Total cost of legal services .................................................................................................................................... 62
Total cost of lump sum payments ........................................................................................................................ 62
Other lump sum amount ...................................................................................................................................... 63
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Total cost of massages.......................................................................................................................................... 63
Total cost of Medical and like services ................................................................................................................. 63
Total cost of other lump sum payments ............................................................................................................... 64
Total cost of other Medical and like services ....................................................................................................... 64
Total cost of overpayment recovery .................................................................................................................... 64
Total cost of personal services ............................................................................................................................. 65
Total cost of physio services ................................................................................................................................. 65
Total cost of psychological services ...................................................................................................................... 65
Total cost of rehabilitation services...................................................................................................................... 66
Date the claimant returned to work..................................................................................................................... 66
Claimant returned to work Full-time or Part-time ............................................................................................... 66
Total cost for Section 98 compensation (Maims and impairment) ...................................................................... 67
Total non-compensation payments paid .............................................................................................................. 67
Total amount of all payments made .................................................................................................................... 68
Total amount of weekly compensation paid ........................................................................................................ 68
Total amount of Total Incapacity weekly compensation paid ............................................................................. 69
Total amount of Partial Incapacity weekly compensation paid ........................................................................... 69
Total amount of Partial Incapacity (no suitable employment offered) weekly compensation paid .................... 70
Payments Dataset ......................................................................................................................................................... 71
Variable Short List ..................................................................................................................................................... 71
Variable Detailed Description ....................................................................................................................................... 72
Claim Details ............................................................................................................................................................. 72
Claim number ....................................................................................................................................................... 72
Payment Details ........................................................................................................................................................ 72
Payment number used to identify a specific payment ......................................................................................... 72
Date the claim status was valid ............................................................................................................................ 73
Type of payment made ......................................................................................................................................... 73
Date the provider received payment ................................................................................................................... 76
Date of invoice/start date weekly payment entitlement ..................................................................................... 77
End date of weekly payment entitlement ............................................................................................................ 77
Invoice amount ..................................................................................................................................................... 78
Amount paid by scheme ....................................................................................................................................... 78
GST amount .......................................................................................................................................................... 78
Centrelink payment amount................................................................................................................................. 78
Scheme gross payment amount ........................................................................................................................... 79
Day count .............................................................................................................................................................. 79
Level 1 Group for payment type ........................................................................................................................... 79
Level 2 Group for payment type ........................................................................................................................... 80
Category for payment type................................................................................................................................... 81
Payment status ..................................................................................................................................................... 81
Receiving party of payment .................................................................................................................................. 82
Service provider number of provider receiving payment .................................................................................... 82
Services Dataset............................................................................................................................................................ 84
Variable Short List ..................................................................................................................................................... 84
Variable Detailed Description ....................................................................................................................................... 84
Claim Details ............................................................................................................................................................. 85
Claim number ....................................................................................................................................................... 85
Service Details........................................................................................................................................................... 85
Service number ..................................................................................................................................................... 85
Service counter ..................................................................................................................................................... 86
Service date .......................................................................................................................................................... 86
Service item code ................................................................................................................................................. 86
Service provider number ...................................................................................................................................... 87
Medication category prescribed to claimant ....................................................................................................... 88
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Number used to identify a specific payment relating to a claim ......................................................................... 90
Amount payable by scheme ................................................................................................................................. 91
Item GST amount .................................................................................................................................................. 91
Prosthesis group code .......................................................................................................................................... 91
Medical Certificates Dataset......................................................................................................................................... 94
Variable Short List ..................................................................................................................................................... 94
Variable Detailed Description ....................................................................................................................................... 96
Claim Details ............................................................................................................................................................. 96
Claim number ....................................................................................................................................................... 96
Medical Certificate Details........................................................................................................................................ 96
Certificate number................................................................................................................................................ 96
First bodily location subgroup of injury for medical certificate ........................................................................... 98
Second bodily location subgroup of injury for medical certificate ...................................................................... 98
Third bodily location subgroup of injury for medical certificate .......................................................................... 99
Date the record was created ................................................................................................................................ 99
Medical certificate type code ............................................................................................................................... 99
Date when insurer received medical certificate ................................................................................................. 100
Last occurrence flag ............................................................................................................................................ 100
Date Alternate duties can be resumed............................................................................................................... 100
Date Alternate duties can be ended ................................................................................................................... 101
Medical examination date .................................................................................................................................. 101
Medical certificate start date ............................................................................................................................. 101
Medical certificate source (hospital/medical practitioner) ................................................................................ 102
Date modified duties can be resumed ............................................................................................................... 102
Date Alternate duties can be ended ................................................................................................................... 102
Date normal duties can be resumed .................................................................................................................. 103
Claimant unfit to work start date ....................................................................................................................... 103
Claimant unfit to work end date ........................................................................................................................ 103
Expiry date of medical certificate ....................................................................................................................... 103
Variable Short List ................................................................................................................................................... 104
Variable Detailed Description ..................................................................................................................................... 105
Claim Details ........................................................................................................................................................... 105
De-identified claim number ................................................................................................................................ 105
Payment details ...................................................................................................................................................... 105
Number used to identify a specific payment relating to a claim ....................................................................... 105
Hospital details ....................................................................................................................................................... 106
Unique admissions number ................................................................................................................................ 106
Date admitted to hospital .................................................................................................................................. 106
Date released from hospital ............................................................................................................................... 107
Initial Injury/illness diagnosis ............................................................................................................................. 107
Type of hospital procedure administered .......................................................................................................... 107
Number of days of hospital stay ......................................................................................................................... 110
Patient type classification of claimant ................................................................................................................ 110
Unique identifier of the service provider linked to hospital admission ............................................................. 112
Diagnostic group for procedure ......................................................................................................................... 112
Reason patient left hospital................................................................................................................................ 113
Additional Help notes .............................................................................................................................................. 114
Calculating weeks as Claim Milestones .................................................................................................................. 114
Incapacity Days/Days compensated/ Time Lost and Calculating Benefits Paid ..................................................... 114
Billing for occupational rehabilitation services: ..................................................................................................... 117
Self-insured variable: .............................................................................................................................................. 117
Employment Type – differentiating between casual, part time and full time employees:.................................... 118
Resumed work date: ............................................................................................................................................... 118
WORKSAFE Injured population size ........................................................................................................................ 118
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Work disability ........................................................................................................................................................ 118
Lost time claims ...................................................................................................................................................... 119
Affliction date variable (Affliction_DT) ................................................................................................................... 119
Nature of Affliction variable ................................................................................................................................... 119
Recoding TOOCS vs VCODE..................................................................................................................................... 119
Unit time for day of accident .................................................................................................................................. 120
Minor claims classification ..................................................................................................................................... 120
Benefits paid for 365 days and less ........................................................................................................................ 120
Time between affliction and certificate ................................................................................................................. 120
WORKSAFE service data ......................................................................................................................................... 121
Examining the role of working hours...................................................................................................................... 123
Total of all non-weekly payments (TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM) ............................................................................ 123
Claims without Payments ....................................................................................................................................... 123
Why are there WORKSAFE claims without a medical certificate ........................................................................... 124
December of last year in the data is missing claims ............................................................................................... 125
Other sources of information .................................................................................................................................. 125
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Introduction
This document constitutes the data dictionary for the WORKSAFE Victoria (WORKSAFE) dataset
only from the Compensation Research Database (CRD). The CRD is a database of claims made
to WORKSAFE and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). It has been assembled by the
Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) working with WORKSAFE
and TAC. The Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) is a joint
initiative of WORKSAFE, the TAC and Monash University. It was established in 2009 to facilitate
research and best practice in injury prevention, rehabilitation and compensation. Funding and
support is provided by the three partner organisations.
The CRD database is being updated once a year and it includes a standard set of information
about each injury compensation claim received by WORKSAFE since they were established in
1985.
This data dictionary details the variables which are currently available for research purposes.
Overview
The datasets available from Worksafe are as follows:
• Claims dataset (2 million records between 1986 and 2015)
• Payments dataset (75 million records between 1986 and 2015)
• Medical certificates dataset (10 million records between 1986 and 2015)
• Services dataset (91 million records between 1986 and 2015)
• Hospital admissions dataset (0.6 million records between 1985 and 2015)
The diagram below indicates the relationship between the datasets, the number of variables in
each dataset and the variables linking them.
CLAIMS
2 Million records
103 Variables
CLAIM_NUMBER
CLAIM_NUMBER
CLAIM_NUMBER
PAYMENTS
75 Million records
16 Variables
SERVICES
91 Million records
8 Variables
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
10 Million records
16 Variables
PAYMENT_NUMBER
PAYMENT_NUMBER
Hospital Admissions
0.6 Million records
11 Variables
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Abbreviations used throughout this document
Abbreviation
ASCO
ANZSCO
TOOCS
ANZSIC
ICT
IRSAD or
SEIFA
AN-SNAP
ARIA
Description
Australian Standard Classification of Occupations. A complete copy of the
standard can be obtained from the following web site:
www.abs.gov.au
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. A
complete copy of the standard can be obtained from the following web site:
http://www.abs.gov.au
Type of Occurrence Classification System. A complete copy of the standard
can be obtained from the following web site: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification. A complete
copy of the standard can be obtained from the following web site:
www.abs.gov.au
Information and Communication Technologies
The Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage
summarises (IRSAD) or Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) is a
product developed by the ABS that ranks areas in Australia according to
relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage. The indexes are based
on information from the five-yearly Census. More information available from
the following web site:
www.abs.gov.au
Australian National Sub-Acute and Non-Acute Patient Classification System for
patient type codes used in the hospital admissions dataset
Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA)
ARIA measures remoteness based on the physical road distance between a
settlement and five classes of service centre. The ABS uses ARIA scores in
collaboration with the APMRC to create the Remoteness Structure. The
Remoteness Structure is based on an extended version of the original ARIA
methodology called ARIA+. ARIA+ is widely used within the Australian
community and has become recognised as a nationally consistent measure of
geographic remoteness. More information on ABS web site www.abs.gov.au
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Note to researchers
The WORKSAFE dataset is an administrative dataset designed primarily for claims management
and not for research purposes. To assist with quantifying the potential limitations of these data,
we have presented the percentage of missing data and the percentage of change for each
variable.
Percentage of missing data (called Percent missing data: in detailed variable description)
represents the proportion of cases that have either no data or data indicating a null value (e.g.
9999 or 0000).
Percentage of changed data (called Percent of change in detailed variable description)
represents the proportion of cases that have had their values changed by WORKSAFE over the
previous year. Case values might have changed due to new diagnostic information becoming
available, the identification of a previous error or new information provided by the claimant. Such
statistics may provide researchers with an indication of the accuracy and reliability of a given
variable.
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Claims Dataset
The claims dataset contains variables relating to claimant, claim, accident, employer, injury as
well as return to work outcomes.
The following graph shows the number of claims per year on work related accidents occurring
between 1986 and current year.
Total claims per annum
140000
120000
Total claims
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
2014
2015
2012
2013
2010
2011
2008
2009
2007
2005
2006
2003
2004
2001
2002
1999
2000
1997
1998
1995
1996
1993
1994
1992
1990
1991
1988
1989
1986
1987
0
Year of accident
Variable Short List
Claimant
Group Variable Name
Unique deidentified claim
number
De-identified
claimant number
Claimant’s type of
employment
Age at time of
injury
Age group at time
of injury
Data Field Name
Description
CLAIM_NUMBER
Unique de-identified claim number
CLAIMANT_NUMBER
EMPLOYMENT_TYPE_CD
INJURY_AGE
INJURY_AGE_GROUP_CD
ANZSCO
Occupation group
OCCUPATION_GROUP_AN
ZSCO_CD
ANSCO
Occupation Type
OCCUPATION_TYPE_ANZS
CO_CD
VWA Data Dictionary
Unique de-identified claimant
number
Type of employment that the
claimant is undertaking
Age of claimant at time of injury
Age group of claimant at time of
injury
Occupation type major group of
claimant based on ANZSCO 1st
edition 2006
Occupation type subgroup of
claimant based on ANZSCO 1st
edition 2006
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Statistical local
area code
Accessibility/Remo
teness Index of
Australia
Index of Relative
Socio-economic
Advantage and
Disadvantage
Gender of claimant
Total gross
earnings per-week
pre injury/illness
Total hours worked
per week preinjury/illness
Ordinary earnings
per week pre-injury
Total overtime
earnings per week
pre-injury/illness
Total shift work
earnings per week
pre-injury/illness
Workplace
Industry group
codes (ANZSIC)
Employer/ Workplace
Workplace
Industry sub-group
codes (ANZSIC)
Unique workplace
number –
claimant’s current
workplace
Unique employer
number –
claimant’s current
employer
Current employer
– legal entity type
Workplace
Industry group
codes (ANZSIC)
where injury
sustained
Workplace
Industry sub-group
codes (ANZSIC)
where injury
sustained
Size of the
VWA Data Dictionary
SEX_CD
Statistical local area code based
on claimant's residential postcode
Remoteness codes for the
postcode of residence of the
claimant
Index of Relative Socio-economic
Advantage and Disadvantage
based on postcode residence of
claimant
The claimant's gender
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_GROS
S_AM
Total weekly earnings prior to
injury/illness
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_NORM
_HRS_CT
Hours claimant worked per week
pre injury
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_ORD_
AM
Ordinary weekly earnings pre
injury
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_OT_A
M
Overtime weekly earnings pre
injury
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_SHIFT
_AM
Shift weekly earnings pre injury
SLA_Code
ARIA group of variables
IRSAD group of variables
AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_A
NZSIC_CD
AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_
WIC_CD
The main group for the workplace
industry codes for the activity of
the claimant using ANZSIC 2006.
The subgroup for the workplace
industry codes for the major
activity of the claimant based on
ANZSIC 2006
CURR_MANAGING_EMPR_
WRKPLC_ID
Unique workplace number for the
claimant's current workplace
CURR_MANAGING_ORGN_
ID
Unique employer number for the
claimant's current employer
CURR_MNGNG_EMPR_LGL
_ENTY_TY_CD
The legal entity type of the
claimant’s current employer
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_A
NZSIC_CD
The workplace industry code main
group for the workplace where the
injury was sustained based on
ANZSIC 2006
The workplace industry code
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_W subgroup for the workplace where
IC_CD
the injury was first sustained based
on ANZSIC 2006
AFFLICTION_EMPLOYER_S
Affliction employer size code
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employer where
claimant was
injured
Size of current
managing
employer
Employer number
where injury
occurred
Workplace number
where injury first
sustained
Post code of
workplace where
injury first
sustained
De-identified claim
number
Current claim type
(Minor/Standard)
Claim
Date this claim
was reclassified
Current claim start
date
Current claim
status
(Open/Closed/Reopened)
Reason for current
claim status
Number of days
employer paid
compensation
Date claim form
received by
employer
Number of
incapacity work
days
Incapacity end
date
Incapacity start
date
IZE_CD
CURR_MANAGING_EMPLO
YER_SIZE_CD
Current managing employer size
code
AFFLICTION_ORGN_ID
Employer number of the employer
where affliction occurred
AFFLICTION_WORKPLACE
_ID
Workplace number of the
workplace where the injury was
first sustained
AFFLICTION_WORKPLACE
_POST_CD
Post code of the workplace where
the injury was first sustained
CLAIM_NUMBER
Unique de-identified number
CLAIM_CLASSIFICATION_C
D
Type of claim (Minor or Standard)
Date the claim was reclassified
CLAIM_RECLASSIFICATION
from Minor to Standard or
_DT
Standard to Minor
CLAIM_STATUS_APPLICAB Start date of the current claim
LE_DT
status
CLAIM_STATUS_CD
Claim status (open, closed, or reopened)
CLAIM_STATUS_REASON_
CD
Reason for current claim status
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY
_CT
EMPLOYER_SIGNED_DT
Number of days that the employer
has paid compensation to the
worker
This date is taken from the claim
form and it relates to the field
"When did the employer first
receive the worker's completed
claim form?"
INCAPACITY_DAY_CT
Number of days that the worker
has had an incapacity for work
INCAPACITY_END_DT
Last date of incapacity
INCAPACITY_START_DT
First date of incapacity
Date the insurer
agent receives
claim form
INSURER_RECEIVED_DT
This is the date that the agent
actually receives the claim form,
not the date that the employer
forwarded it on.
Incomplete claim
flag
INCOMPLETE_FL
Incomplete claim flag
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Flag – Injury
occurred on
journey to/from
workplace
Date last weekly
compensation
received
Date of last
payment to
claimant (nonweekly)
JOURNEY_FL
Flag indicating whether the injury
occurred on a journey to/from the
workplace
LAST_COMPENSATION_DR
AWN_DT
Date the claimant last received
weekly compensation
LAST_NON_COMPN_DRAW
N_DT
Date the claimant last received a
payment not relating to weekly
compensation
Indicates whether the claim was
LODGED_BY_CD
lodged by the claimant (C) or the
employer (E)
This date is also taken from the
Date Claimant
LODGED_BY_CLAIMANT_D claim form and indicates the date
lodged claim to
T
the worker served the claim on the
employer
employer.
Medical only claim
A flag indicating whether or not the
MEDICAL_ONLY_FL
flag
claim is a medical only claim
Previous claim
PREVIOUS_CLAIM_CLSSN_ The previous claim classification
classification code CD
code (MI - minor or ST - standard)
Number of days of SCHEME_COMPENSATION Number of days the scheme has
compensation paid _PAID_DY_CT
paid compensation to the worker
Date first entered
Date that the scheme received the
SCHEME_RECEIVED_DT
Scheme system
claim.
Standardised claim
Flag indicating whether claim is a
STANDARISED_CLM_FL
flag
standardised claim
First date of
weekly
WEEKLY_COMPN_PAID_FR Date that worker was first entitled
compensation
OM_DT
to weekly compensation
entitlement
Last date of
weekly
WEEKLY_COMPN_PAID_T
Date that worker was last entitled
compensation
O_DT
to weekly compensation
entitlement
Agent accept
AGENT_ACCEPT_MEO_LIA Agent accept medical only liability
medical only
B_CD
code
liability code
Agent accept
Date of latest medical only liability
AGENT_ACCEPT_MEO_LIA
medical only
decision
B_DT
liability date
Community
Flag to indicate whether claim is
integration
CIP_FL
managed under TAC's Community
program flag
Integration Program
Community
Date the claim was transferred into
integration
CIP_TRANSFER_DT
the community integration program
program transfer
date
Flag to indicate whether a claim
Common law flag
CLAW_FL
has a Common Law application
Common law case CLAW_CSSTT_DT
Date the latest Common Law case
Claim lodged by
Claimant/Employer
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start date
Common law case
resolved date
Impairment
benefits flag
Impairment
benefits lodgement
date
Impairment benefit
whole person
impairment
percentage
CLAW_CSRES_DT
IB_FL
IB_LODGED_DT
Date that the impairment benefits
application was lodged
IB_WPI_PR
Percentage of impairment
INSURER_ACCEPT_LIABILI
TY_DT
AFFLICTION_DT
Flag to indicate whether time lost
claim was accepted, rejected or if
decision is still pending.
Date of latest time lost liability
decision
Date of injury
WORK_ACTIVITY_TYPE_C
D
The time during work the injury
occurred
ACCIDENT_TYPE_GROUP_
CD
Mechanism of injury major group
based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition.
ACCIDENT_TYPE_CD
Mechanism of injury subgroup
based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Injury
Insurer accept time INSURER_ACCEPT_LIABILI
lost liability flag
TY_FL
Insurer accept time
lost liability date
Date of Injury
The time during
work the injury
occurred
Major group
associated with the
mechanism of
injury
Sub-group
associated with the
mechanism of
injury
Major group for the
nature of the injury
as per VCODE
Sub-group nature
of the injury as per
VCODE
Major group for the
nature of the injury
as per TOOCS
Sub-group for the
nature of the injury
as per TOOCS
Agency of injury
major
group(TOOCS
2008)
Agency of injury
sub-group(TOOCS
2008)
Claimant’s
disability type
Major group of the
VWA Data Dictionary
commenced
Date the latest Common Law case
was resolved
Flag to indicate whether a claim
has an Impairment Benefits
application
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCO Nature of injury major group
DE_GROUP_CD
(VCODE)
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCO
Nature of injury (VCODE)
DE_CD
Nature of injury major group for the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOO
old nature of affliction based on
CS_GROUP_CD
TOOCS 2008
Nature of injury subgroup for the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOO
nature of affliction based on
CS_CD
TOOCS 2008
BREAKDOWN_AGENCY_G
ROUP_CD
Agency of injury major group
based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
BREAKDOWN_AGENCY_C
D
Agency of injury subgroup based
on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
DISABILITY_TYPE_CD
The claimant's disability type
FIRST_BODILY_LOCN_GR
First bodily location of injury major
Page 13 of 126
Treatment outcomes
first bodily location
of the injury
Sub-group of the
first bodily location
of the injury
Major group of the
second bodily
location of the
injury
Sub-group of the
second bodily
location of the
injury
Major group of the
third bodily
location of the
injury
Sub-group of the
third bodily
location of the
injury
Gradual onset of
injury flag
Total cost of aids
and appliances
used
Total Allied Health
Provider Costs
Total costs for
Chemist
Total Cost for
Chiropractor
services
Date the claim
reached 104
weeks of weekly
compensation
Date the claim
reached 52 weeks
of weekly
compensation
Total cost of
Doctor services
Date first weekly
compensation was
received
Date first nonweekly
compensation was
received
Total costs of
hospital services
VWA Data Dictionary
OUP_CD
FIRST_BODILY_AFFLICTIO
N_CD
group using TOOCS 2008 3rd
edition
First bodily location of injury
subgroup based on TOOCS 2008
3rd edition
SECOND_BODILY_LOCN_G
ROUP_CD
Second bodily location of injury
major group using TOOCS 2008
3rd edition.
SECOND_BODILY_AFFLICT
ION_CD
Second bodily location of injury
subgroup based on TOOCS 2008
3rd edition
THIRD_BODILY_LOCN_GR
OUP_CD
Third bodily location of injury major
group using TOOCS 2008 3rd
edition
THIRD_BODILY_AFFLICTIO
N_CD
Third bodily location of injury
subgroup based on TOOCS 2008
3rd edition
GRADUAL_ONSET_FL
Flag indicating whether onset of
injury was gradual
AIDS_AND_APPLIANCES_A
M
Total cost of Aids And Appliances
ALLIED_HEALTH_PROVIDE
R_AM
Total Allied Health Provider costs
CHEMIST_AM
Total cost of Chemist
CHIROPRACTOR_AM
Total cost of Chiropractor Services
CLAIM_104_WEEKS_COMP
N_DT
Date the claim reached 104 weeks
of weekly compensation
CLAIM_52_WEEKS_COMPN
_DT
Date the claim reached 52 weeks
of weekly compensation
DOCTOR_AM
Total cost of Doctor Services
FIRST_COMPENSATION_D
RAWN_DT
Date the claimant first received
weekly compensation
FIRST_NON_COMPN_DRA
WN_DT
Date the claimant first received a
payment not relating to weekly
compensation
HOSPITAL_AM
Total cost of hospital services
Page 14 of 126
Total cost of legal
services
Total cost of lump
sum payments
Other lump sum
amount
Total cost of
massages
Total cost of
Medical and like
services
Total cost of other
lump sum
payments
Total cost of other
Medical and like
services
Total cost of
overpayment
recovery
Total cost of
personal services
Total cost of
physio services
Total cost of
psychological
services
Total cost of
rehabilitation
services
Date the claimant
returned to work
Claimant returned
to work Full-time or
Part-time
Total cost for
Section 98
compensation
(Maims and
impairment)
Total noncompensation
payments paid
Total amount of all
payments made
Total amount of
weekly
compensation paid
Total amount of
Total Incapacity
weekly
compensation paid
VWA Data Dictionary
LEGAL_AM
Total cost of legal services
LUMP_SUMS_AM
Total cost of lump sums
OTHER_LUMP_SUM_AM
Other lump sum amount
MASSAGE_AM
Total cost of massage
MEDICAL_AND_LIKE_AM
Total cost of medical and the like
OTHER_LUMP_SUMS_AM
Total cost of other lump sums
OTHER_MEDICAL_AND_LIK Total cost of other medical and the
E_AM
like
OVERPAYMENT_RECOVER
Y_AM
Total cost of overpayment recovery
PERSONAL_SERVICES_AM
Total cost of personal services
PHYSIO_AM
Total cost of physio
PSYCHOLOGY_AM
Total cost of psychology services
REHABILITATION_AM
Total cost of rehabilitation services
RESUMED_WORK_DT
Date the claimant returned to work
RESUMED_WORK_TYPE_C
D
Whether the claimant resumed
work full-time (F) or part-time (P)
SECTION_98_AM
Total cost of Section 98
(compensation for maims and
impairment)
TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM
Total amount of non-compensation
payments paid
TOTAL_PAYMENT_AM
Total amount of all payments
WEEKLY_COMPENSATION
_AM
Total amount of weekly
compensation paid
WEEKLY_COMPN_1_AM
Total amount of Weekly
Compensation (type 1 - Total
Incapacity) paid
Page 15 of 126
Total amount of
Partial Incapacity
weekly
compensation paid
Total amount of
Partial Incapacity
(no suitable
employment
offered) weekly
compensation paid
VWA Data Dictionary
WEEKLY_COMPN_2_AM
Total amount of Weekly
Compensation (type 2 - Partial
Incapacity) paid
WEEKLY_COMPN_3_AM
Total amount of Weekly
Compensation (type 3 - Partial
Incapacity No Suitable
Employment Offered ) paid
Page 16 of 126
Variable Detailed Description
This section describes each variable in the dataset in a greater detail.
Claimant details
Variable Name
Unique de-identified claim number
CLAIM_NUMBER
Variable Details
Description: Unique de-identified claim number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
This is a random claimant number generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link claims data between
different datasets and is unique for every case in the
claims dataset only, but it may be repeated in other
datasets.
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Unique claimant number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
De-identified claimant number
CLAIMANT_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Claimant’s type of employment
This is a random number generated by ISCRR based
on the original variable received from WORKSAFE.
This variable is linked to a claimant. Each claimant can
have multiple claims over time.
Variable Details
Description: Type of employment that claimant is
undertaking
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.51%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
EMPLOYMENT_TYPE_CD
0
Unknown
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 17 of 126
11
12
13
14
21
22
23
24
31
32
33
34
41
42
43
44
54
55
56
57
58
61
FULL TIME EMPLOYEE
FULL TIME FIRST YEAR APPRENTICE
FULL TIME OTHER APPRENTICE
FULL TIME OTHER AGE-DEPENDENT AWARD
PART TIME EMPLOYEE
PART TIME FIRST YEAR APPRENTICE
PART TIME OTHER APPRENTICE
PART TIME OTHER AGE-DEPENDENT AWARD
PART TIME EMPLOYEE, SEEKING FULL TIME WORK
PART TIME SEEKING FULL TIME FIRST YEAR APPRENTICE
PART TIME SEEKING FULL TIME OTHER APPRENTICE
PART TIME SEEKING FULL TIME OTHER AGE-DEPEND AWARD
OTHER EMPLOYEE
OTHER FIRST YEAR APPRENTICE
OTHER APPRENTICE
OTHER AGE-DEPENDENT AWARD
WORK PLACEMENT STUDENT - EDUCATION ACT
WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENT - EDUCATION ACT
WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENT - TAFE YRS 11 & 12
WORK EXPERIENCE TAFE STUDENT - POST SECONDARY
GROUP TRAINEE SCHEME APPRENTICE
VOLUNTEERS ETC. FOR RECOUPABLE CLAIMS
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Age at time of injury
Variable Details
Description: Age of claimant at time of injury
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.42%
Percent of change:
0.02%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
INJURY_AGE
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Age group at time of injury
Variable Details
Description: Age group of claimant at time of injury
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
INJURY_AGE_GROUP_CD
Value
1
2
3
Label
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 005 & 014, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 015 & 019, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 020 & 024, INCLUSIVELY
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 18 of 126
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 025 & 029, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 030 & 034, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 035 & 039, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 040 & 044, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 045 & 049, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 050 & 054, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 055 & 059, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 060 & 064, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 065 & 999, INCLUSIVELY
AGE AT INJURY IS BETWEEN 000 & 004, INC. OR BIRTH DT IS NULL
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
ANZSCO Occupation group
OCCUPATION_GROUP_ANZSCO_CD
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Variable Details
Description: Occupation major group of claimant
based on ANZSCO 2006 edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.51%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below, the
subgroup for this variable is
OCCUPATION_TYPE_ANZSCO_CD
Unknown
Managers
Professionals
Technicians and trades workers
Community and personal service workers
Clerical and administrative workers
Sales workers
Machinery operators and drivers
Labourers
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
VWA Data Dictionary
This variable is recoded by ISCRR from ASCO to
ANZSCO coding standard from the original variable
OCCUPATION_TYPE_CD received from
WORKSAFE.
The value labels were obtained from the Australian
Bureau of Statistics documentation.
Variable Details
Page 19 of 126
ANSCO Occupation Type
OCCUPATION_TYPE_ANZSCO_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Statistical local area code based on
residential postcode of claimant
SLA_Name
Recording Guidance
Description: Occupation subgroup of the claimant
based on ANZSCO 2006 edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.51%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below, the
major group for this variable is
OCCUPATION_GROUP_ANZSCO_CD above
This variable is recoded by ISCRR from ASCO to
ANZSCO coding standard from the original variable
Occupation_Type_Cd received from WORKSAFE.
The value labels were obtained from the Australian
Bureau of Statistics documentation and are available
from ISCRR on request.
Variable Details
Description: Statistical local area code based on the
claimant's residential postcode
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.01%
Percent of change:
1.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
The following variables are also available:
SLA_Code
Help Notes
Variable Name
Accessibility/Remoteness Index of
Australia (ARIA) based on postcode of
claimant
ARIA group of variables
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Variable Details
Description: Remoteness code based on the
claimant's residential postcode (ARIA group of
variables)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.01%
Percent of change:
1.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
For each residential postcode of claimant there is a
code, name and a percent associated with the
remoteness of the suburb. There are up to three
remoteness codes and percentages associated with
one suburb.
The following variables are available on request:
ARIA_Code1-4, ARIA_Name1-4, ARIA_Percent1-4.
Page 20 of 126
Variable Name
Index of Relative Socio-Economic
Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD)
based on postcode of claimant
IRSAD group of variables
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Details
Description: IRSAD group of variables based on the
claimant's residential postcode
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.01%
Percent of change:
1.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
A lower IRSAD score indicates that an area is
relatively disadvantaged compared to an area with a
higher score. Scores should only be used in
distributive analysis. To enable easy recognition of
high and low scores, the statistical area 1 (SA1)
index scores have be standardised to have a mean
of 1000 and a standard deviation of 100 across all
SA1s in Australia. However, this is not the case for
the larger geographies which were constructed from
the SA1 scores, such as postal area.
The Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage
and Disadvantage summarises (IRSAD) variables
that indicate either relative advantage or
disadvantage. This index can be used to measure
socio-economic wellbeing in a continuum, from the
most disadvantaged areas to the most advantaged
areas.
An area with a high score on this index has a
relatively high incidence of advantage and a
relatively low incidence of disadvantage. Due to the
differences in scope between this index and the
Index of Relative Disadvantage, the scores of some
areas can vary significantly between the two
indexes. For example, consider a large area that
has parts containing relatively disadvantaged
people, and other parts containing relatively
advantaged people.
IRSAD decile is a number between 1 and 10. All
areas are ordered from lowest to highest score, the
lowest 10% of areas are given a decile number of 1
and so on, up to the highest 10% of areas which are
given a decile number of 10. This means that areas
are divided up into ten groups, depending on their
score. Decile 1 is the most disadvantaged relative to
the other deciles. Note that deciles have equal
number of areas, not people.
The following variables are available on request
IRSAD_Population, IRSAD_Score,
IRSAD_AustraliaRank, IRSAD_AustraliaDecile,
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 21 of 126
IRSAD_AustraiaPercentile,
IRSAD_State, IRSAD_StateRank,
IRSAD_StateDecile, IRSAD_StatePercentile
Variable Name
Gender of Claimant
SEX_CD
1
2
Variable Details
Description: The claimant's gender
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
Male
Female
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total gross earnings per-week pre
injury/illness
Variable Details
Description: Total weekly earnings prior to
injury/illness
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.13%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_GROSS_AM
Recording Guidance
Agents use 0, 1 and 21 when they don't know what
the actual figure is for this variable.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total hours worked per week preinjury/illness
Variable Details
Description: Hours claimant worked per week pre
injury
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 9.65%
Percent of change:
0.08%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_NORM_HRS_CT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 22 of 126
Variable Name
Ordinary earnings per week pre-injury
Variable Details
Description: Ordinary weekly earnings pre injury
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.54%
Percent of change:
0.13%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_ORD_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total overtime earnings per week preinjury/illness
Variable Details
Description: Overtime weekly earnings pre injury
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_OT_AM
Recording Guidance
Note that a large proportion of the sample is set
to zero because this type of payment does not
apply in all cases.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total shift work earnings per week preinjury/illness
Variable Details
Description: Shift weekly earnings pre injury
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.04%
Percent of change:
0.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_SHIFT_AM
Recording Guidance
Note that a large proportion of the sample is set
to zero because claimant was not doing shift
work therefore this type of payment does not
apply.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 23 of 126
Employer/Workplace Details
Variable Name
Workplace Industry group codes
(ANZSIC) for activity of claimant
Variable Details
Description:
The main group for the workplace
industry codes for the activity of the claimant using
ANZSIC 2006.
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
3.39%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, this variable is
the main grouping for the
AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_WIC_CD.
AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_ANZSIC_CD
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, water and waste services
Construction
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Accommodation and food services
Transport postal and warehousing
Information media and telecommunications
Financial and insurance services
Rental hiring and real estate services
Professional scientific and technical services
Administrative and support services
Public administration and safety
Education and training
Health care and social assistance
Arts and recreation services
Other services
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This variable is recoded by ISCRR from the original
variable AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_WIC_CD
received from WORKSAFE.
The value labels were obtained from the Australian
Bureau of Statistics documentation.
Page 24 of 126
Variable Name
Workplace Industry sub-group codes
(ANZSIC) for activity of claimant
Variable Details
Description:
The 2006 ANZSIC code which
relates to the major activity of the affliction
workplace at the time the injury occurred
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.18%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: This variable is the
subgroup for
AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_ANZSIC_CD
AFFLIC_ACTIVITY_CURR_WIC_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Unique workplace number – claimant’s
current workplace
The value labels are available on request from
ISCRR.
Variable Details
Description: Unique workplace number for the
claimant's current workplace
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.17%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not available
CURR_MANAGING_EMPR_WRKPLC_N
UMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
ISCRR de-identifies the original identification
number received from WORKSAFE.
The same employer might have multiple workplaces
and this variable refers to a specific site or
workplace.
Page 25 of 126
Variable Name
Unique employer number – claimant’s
current employer
Variable Details
Description: Unique employer number for the
claimant's current employer
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.13%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not available
CURR_MANAGING_ORGN_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
ISCRR de-identifies the original identification
number received from WORKSAFE.
This variable relates to the overarching employer
which might have a number of sites or workplaces.
Variable Name
Current employer – legal entity type
Variable Details
Description: The legal entity type of the
claimant’s current employer
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.12%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
CURR_MNGNG_EMPR_LGL_ENTY_TY_CD
1
6
8
10
11
13
15
16
17
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
31
32
33
34
COMPANY (REGISTERED UNDER COMPANIES ACT/ORDINANCE)
SOLE PROPRIETOR
PARTNERSHIP
TRUSTEE
CO-OPERATIVE, WELFARE, OR CHARITABLE ORGANISATION
UNKNOWN (DEFAULT)
SOCIAL AND SPORTING CLUBS
TRADE UNIONS AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
JOINT VENTURES
OTHER
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT LEGISLATURE, COURTS ETC.
AUST GOVT MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY IN TERRITORIES
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT MARKETING BOARDS
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT OTHER STATUTORY AUTHORITY
AUST. GOVT. OTHER (INCL. GOVT. OWNED COMPANIES)
STATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT
STATE GOVERNMENT LEGISLATURE, COURTS ETC.
STATE GOVERNMENT MARKETING BOARDS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 26 of 126
35
36
37
38
41
42
90
91
92
99
OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT
STATE GOVT. OTHER (INCL. GOVT. OWNED COMPANIES)
SCHOOL COUNCILS
GROUP APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYERS
DIPLOMATIC OR TRADE MISSIONS
OTHER FOREIGN GOVERNMENT
CHARITABLE OR WELFARE ORGANISATION
RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION
PUBLIC HOSPITAL
COVER NOTE
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: The workplace industry code main
Workplace Industry group codes (ANZSIC) group for the workplace where the injury was
where injury sustained
sustained based on ANZSIC 2006
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
1.38%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, this variable
is the main grouping for the
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_WIC_CD
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_ANZSIC_CD
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, water and waste services
Construction
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Accommodation and food services
Transport postal and warehousing
Information media and telecommunications
Financial and insurance services
Rental hiring and real estate services
Professional scientific and technical services
Administrative and support services
Public administration and safety
Education and training
Health care and social assistance
Arts and recreation services
Other services
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This variable is recoded by ISCRR from the
original variable
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_WIC_CD received
from WORKSAFE.
The value labels were obtained from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics documentation.
Page 27 of 126
Variable Name
Workplace Industry sub-group codes
(ANZSIC) where injury sustained
Variable Details
Description: workplace industry code subgroup for
workplace where the injury was first sustained
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
3.72%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: This variable is the
subgroup of the
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_ANZSIC_CD
AFFLIC_WRKPLC_CURR_WIC_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Size of current managing employer
The value labels are available on request from
ISCRR.
Variable Details
Description:
Current managing employer size
code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
1.66%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
CURR_MANAGING_EMPLOYER_SIZE
_CD
1
2
3
4
Small
Medium
Large
Government
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
Indicates whether the current managing employer is
classified as Small, Medium, Large or Government
based on the employer's remuneration in 2010/11
deflated to 2005/06 dollars
<1Million = Small
1-20 Million = Medium
>20 Million = Large
Page 28 of 126
Help Notes
Variable Name
Employer number where injury
occurred
Variable Details
Description: unique de-identified number of
employer where affliction occurred
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not available
AFFLICTION_ORGN_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
This variable is de-identified by ISCRR
The overarching employer where the affliction
occurred, the same employer might have multiple
workplaces.
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Unique de-identifiednumber of
workplace where injury was first sustained
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not available
Workplace number where injury first
sustained
AFFLICTION_WORKPLACE_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This variable is de-identified by ISCRR
This variable relates to the specific workplace where
the injury has occurred, one employer might have
multiple workplaces.
Page 29 of 126
Variable Name
Local government area of workplace
Variable Details
Description: Local government area of workplace
where injury was first sustained
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.09%
Percent of change:
0.4%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
LGA_NAME
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This variable is based on
AFFLICTION_WORKPLACE_POST_CD variable
which represents the postcode where the injury was
sustained. This variable is not available for
researchers due to ethical considerations.
The following variables are also available on
request from ISCRR:
LGA_Code
SLA_Code
SLA_Name
Page 30 of 126
Claim Details
Variable Name
Current claim type (Minor/Standard)
Variable Details
Description: The current claim classification code. Type
of claim (Minor/Standard)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.06%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
CLAIM_CLASSIFICATION_CD
1
2
Minor
Standard
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date the claim was reclassified
In a month approximately 5% of claims change from
standard to minor and approximately 30% of claims
change from minor to standard.
The threshold for claims as minor is if the medical and
like payments is less than $495 and the time loss days
is less than 10. These thresholds constantly change,
therefore check the current threshold.
Claims are classified as minor when they have not
reached the income/medical expense threshold and are
only in the WORKSAFE claims data for tracking
purposes.
Variable Details
Description: Date the claim was reclassified from Minor
to Standard or Standard to Minor
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 90.75%
Percent of change:
0.06%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_RECLASSIFICATION_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 31 of 126
Variable Name
Current claim start date
Variable Details
Description: Start date of the current claim status
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
1.29%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_STATUS_APPLICABLE_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Current claim status
(Open/Closed/Re-opened)
Variable Details
Description: Claim status
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.99%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
CLAIM_STATUS_CD
1
2
3
4
5
Claim open
Claim closed
Claim reopened
Claim closed - opened in error
Claim abandoned
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Related to CLAIM_STATUS_REASON_CD, when claim
is closed or abandoned the reason for the closure is
mentioned in CLAIM_STATUS_REASON_CD.
A claim is closed when there are no additional
payments or services provided to the claimant.
Page 32 of 126
Variable Name
Reason for current claim status
Variable Details
Description: Reason for current claim status
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 59.89%
Percent of change:
1.15%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
CLAIM_STATUS_REASON_CD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
TERMINATION CLAIM (FAIL TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES)
TERMINATION CLAIM (FAIL TO PARTICIPATE IN REHABILITATION)
TERMINATION CLAIM (FAIL TO MAKE EFFORT TO RETURN TO WORK)
TERMINATION CLAIM (FAIL TO PARTICIPATE IN ASSESSMENTS)
TERMINATION CLAIM (FAIL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON INJURY)
TERMINATION CLAIM (OVER 104 WEEKS BENEFITS, NOT SERIOUS, TP)
TERMINATION CLAIM (FRAUDULENCE)
TERMINATION CLAIM (WORKER HAS REACHED RETIREMENT AGE)
TERMINATION CLAIM (SUPERANNUATION OR TERMINATION LUMP SUM)
TERMINATION CLAIM (NON-RESIDENT)
TERMINATION CLAIM (IMPRISONMENT)
TERMINATION CLAIM (S115 SETTLEMENT)
TERMINATION CLAIM (NO LONGER ENTITLED FOR OTHER REASON)
REJECTION LIABILTY NOT ACCEPTED.
TERMIN. MED ONLY (COST NOT REASONABLE)
TERMIN. MED ONLY (52 WEEKS ENTITLMENT TO MEDICALS ENDED)
TERMIN. MED ONLY (NO FURTHER TREATMENT REQUIRED)
WKR RTW, OLD DUTIES, SAME EMPLOYER, PREINJ HRS OR MORE
WKR RTW, NEW DUTIES, SAME EMPLOYER, PREINJ HRS OR MORE
WKR RTW, OLD DUTIES, NEW EMPLOYER, PREINJ HRS OR MORE
WKR RTW, NEW DUTIES, NEW EMPLOYER, PREINJ HRS OR MORE
WKR RTW, OLD DUTIES, SAME EMPLOYER, LESS THAN PREINJ HRS
WKR RTW, NEW DUTIES, SAME EMPLOYER, LESS THAN PREINJ HRS
WKR RTW OLD DUTIES, NEW EMPLOYER, LESS THAN PREINJ HRS
WKR RTW NEW DUTIES, NEW EMPLOYER, LESS THAN PREINJ HRS
CLAIM OPENED IN ERROR
WORKER HAS DIED
COMMON LAW ACTION COMPLETED
OTHER LEGAL ACTION COMPLETED
WKR NO LONGER WANTS BENEFITS (OTHER THAN RTW)
SECTION 98/98A CLAIM CLOSURE
SECTION 92 CLAIM CLOSURE
MED ONLY CLOSURE (MORE MED PAY POSSIBLE)
CLOSED IN ERROR
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS-ONGOING CLAIMS MANAGEMNT REQ
ADDITIONAL RECOVERIES
EMPLOYER APPEAL
COMMON LAW WRIT RECEIVED
RECURRENCE OF AFFLICTION
MAIMS
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 33 of 126
48
49
99
MED EXAM FOR MEO CLAIM
PAST WKLY PYMNTS-NO FURTHER CLAIMS MANAGEMENT REQ.
AUTO CLOSE
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Number of days employer paid
compensation
Variable Details
Description: Number of days that the employer has paid
compensation to the worker
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.47%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Number of incapacity days is calculated according to
the following formula
INCAPACITY_DAYS =
SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT +
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT
If employers have opted to "buyout" (i.e. they pay a
certain amount each year so that they are not required
to pay the threshold*), the
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT will equal zero.
* When liability has been accepted on a claim for
compensation an employer is responsible for paying the
first 10 days off work and the initial amount of medical
excess (indexed annually) in medical and like expenses
(the employer’s excess) unless they take out the buyout option on their WorkCover injury insurance policy.
If employers do not have a buyout option then the
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT should equal 10 (or 5
for claims before 1994). For these claims, we can only
determine the true number of days compensated if
they've exceeded the 10 day threshold. Otherwise if
they haven't yet reached 10 days then we can only say
that they've had 10 days or less since we don't keep
track of employer payments.
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 34 of 126
Variable Name
Date claim form received by
employer
EMPLOYER_SIGNED_DT
Variable Details
Description: This date is taken from the claim form and
it relates to the field "When did the employer first
receive the worker's completed claim form?"
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 1.21%
Percent of change:
0.03%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Number of incapacity work days
INCAPACITY_DAY_CT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Details
Description: Number of days that the worker has had an
incapacity for work
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
1.41%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
If employers have opted to "buyout" (i.e. they pay a
certain amount each year so that they are not required
to pay the threshold*), the
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT will equal zero.
* When liability has been accepted on a claim for
compensation an employer is responsible for paying the
first 10 days off work and the initial amount of medical
excess (indexed annually) in medical and like expenses
(the employer’s excess) unless they take out the buyout option on their WorkCover injury insurance policy
If employers do not have a buyout option then the
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT should equal 10 (or 5
for claims before 1994). For these claims, we can only
determine the true number of days compensated if
they've exceeded the 10 day threshold. Otherwise if
they haven't yet reached 10 days then we can only say
that they've had 10 days or less since we don't keep
track of employer payments.
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 35 of 126
Variable Name
Incapacity end date
INCAPACITY_END_DT
Variable Details
Description: Last date of incapacity
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 54.9%
Percent of change:
1.39%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Incapacity start date
Variable Details
Description: First date of incapacity
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 54.9%
Percent of change:
0.11%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
INCAPACITY_START_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Date when agent receives claim
Date the insurer agent receives claim form form
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.49%
Percent of change:
0.03%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes
and
descriptions:
Not applicable
INSURER_RECEIVED_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This date can change when a claim changes
from minor to standard
This is the date that agent actually receives the
claim form, not the date that the employer
forwarded it on.
Page 36 of 126
Variable Name
Claim Incomplete flag
INCOMPLETE_FL
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Flag – Injury occurred on journey
to/from workplace
Variable Details
Description: Incomplete claim flag
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.06%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes or N=No
Set to ‘Y’ when further information needs to be
provided at a later date.
Used to indicate that a claim that has not been
registered to completion. This will apply to most,
if not all, minor claims. There shouldn't be any
standard claims where this flag is "Y" since
payments and medical certificates cannot be
processed if the claim is incomplete.
Variable Details
Description: Flag indicating whether injury occurred
on a journey to/from the workplace
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 25.41%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No
JOURNEY_FL
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date last weekly compensation
received
Set to ‘Y’ when the injury occurred to or from
workplace.
Agent usage dramatically dropped after legislation
introduced in December 1992 which states that
journey claims are to be covered by TAC. Some
journey claims are still initially lodged with
WORKSAFE before being rejected. It also appears to
be used occasionally if the accident involved a motor
vehicle and was considered work-related.
Variable Details
Description: Date the claimant last received weekly
compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 60.89%
Percent of change:
1.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
LAST_COMPENSATION_DRAWN_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 37 of 126
Variable Name
Date of last payment to claimant (nonweekly)
Variable Details
Description: Date claimant last received a payment
not relating to weekly compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 60.89%
Percent of change:
0.10%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
LAST_NON_COMPN_DRAWN_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Claim lodged by Claimant/Employer
Variable Details
Description: Indicates whether claim was lodged by
claimant or employer
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.20%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
LODGED_BY_CD
1
2
3
CLAIMANT
EMPLOYER
WORKSAFE
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date Claimant lodged claim to
employer
Variable Details
Description: Date when claimant lodged a claim to
employer
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 76.25%
Percent of change:
0.03%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
LODGED_BY_CLAIMANT_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This date is also taken from the claim form and
indicates the date the worker served the claim on the
employer.
Page 38 of 126
Variable Name
Medical only claim flag
Variable Details
Description: A flag indicating whether or not the claim
is a medical only claim
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 3.53%
Percent of change:
0.04%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No
MEDICAL_ONLY_FL
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Previous claim classification code
This variable is an indicator that a claim does not
incur time loss.
Probably not 100% accurate but a reasonable
indictor. Note: sometimes can indicate claims where
there was a time loss component but for whatever
reason (e.g. claim rejected) did not receive weekly
payments. Can be changed from "N" to "Y" if weekly
compensation needs to be paid but cannot be altered
from "Y" to "N" for a standard claim which has weekly
compensation already recorded
Variable Details
Description: The previous claim classification code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 97.52%
Percent of change:
0.04%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
PREVIOUS_CLAIM_CLSSN_CD
1
2
Minor
Standard
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 39 of 126
Variable Name
Number of days of compensation paid
Variable Details
Description: Number of days the scheme has paid
compensation to the worker
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
1.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_
CT
Recording Guidance
We calculate the incapacity days according to the
following formula
INCAPACITY_DAYS =
SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT +
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date first entered Scheme system
Variable Details
Description: This is the date when the claim is first
entered into WORKSAFE (ACCtion) system.
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SCHEME_RECEIVED_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This will be equal to or later than the
insurer_received_dt and does not change unless a
claim is re-classified from minor to standard.
Page 40 of 126
Variable Name
Standardised claim flag
Variable Details
Description: Flag indicating whether claim is a standardised claim
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No
STANDARISED_CLM_FL
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Approximately 87%=Yes 13%=No
Claims received into the WORKSAFE system are categorised by
the Agent as either Standard (coded “ST”) or Minor (coded “MI”)
claims. This value is entered in the CLAIM_CLASSIFICATION_CD
data field.
The WORKSAFE uses a concept of Standardised Claims that
does not include all standard (ST) coded claims. Standardised
claims are used to enable comparisons of claim numbers over a
long period of time, taking account of changes in the way claims
have been treated from one year to the next. This enables
measurement of real claims lodgement rates.
All claims for employers who have the buyout option are coded as
sST claims. (This is because the costs associated with the claim
are seen as a scheme cost, and costs can be processed only where
the claim code is ST.) In addition, some ST-coded claims may not
have any payments recorded against them (this covers cases where
the claim is expected to exceed the threshold values).
A WORD OF CAUTION
Numbers of claims – whether standard or minor – can only be
counted if they are submitted by the employer to the agent and
subsequently entered into the ACCtion system and WORKSAFE
data warehouse. A (relatively high) number of minor claims may
never be forwarded to the Agent on the basis that the costs never
go beyond the threshold levels. Similarly, a (lesser) number of
standard claims may not be submitted to the Agent because the
employer may decide to cover the costs – such action is
inappropriate.
This “non-lodgement” of claims by the employer may be influenced
by their belief that it is cheaper to pay the claims costs up to a
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 41 of 126
certain level) than to lodge the claim with the agent and have the
claim cause them to pay a higher premium.
A minor claim can become a standard claim (effecting a change
from “MI” to “ST”, as coded by the Agent). In addition, a standard
claim can be considered as a minor claim (although there is no code
change from “ST” to “MI”) and such claims are excluded from the
WORKSAFE’s definition of standardised claims. This status change
and the different way the WORKSAFE and Agents use “standard”
claims is one reason for the differences in claims numbers between
the WORKSAFE and agents.
Claim counts in WORKSAFE statistics and reports refer
to standardised claims. The ability for claims to move from minor
to standard and standard to minor will be one reason why claim
counts for a specific month will change over time.
Standardised claims are used to enable comparisons of claim
numbers over a period of time, taking account of changes in the way
claims have been treated from one year to the next, in three distinct
areas, as follows:
Treatment of journey claims
Prior to December 1992, journey claims were counted as valid
claims; after this date, the claims are not counted as WORKSAFE
claims (they are excluded) and are handled by TAC. A check is
made of all journey claims with an injury date prior to July 1994 (to
allow for delays in reporting) and these are excluded from
standardised claims.
Medical & Like Payment Excess
The level of payments used for setting the threshold for medical &
like services changes each year, in line with changes in the CPI,
and needs to be accounted for in counting of claims and relevant
payments
Time Lost Excess
Up to (and including) the year 1992-93, the employer was required
to cover the cost of the first 5 days time lost of the injured
worker. For 1993-94 onwards, this changed to 10 days.
At the detailed level, the starting point is a count of claims coded ST
by the Agent, as below (a) standard claims with medical & like costs or days lost in excess
of the threshold levels
(b) standard claims with zero medical & like payments (these are
expected to become standard claims by virtue of payments known
to have to be made)
(c) claims where the employer has under excess buyout (and the
costs of the claim below the thresholds are covered by the
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 42 of 126
scheme).
From this claims count, the following exclusions are made :
(a) journey claims with a date of injury prior to July 1994
(b) buyout claims that have not reached the excess
(c) ST claims which are closed with no payments
Variable Name
First date of weekly compensation
entitlement
Variable Details
Description: Date that worker was first entitled to
weekly compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 65.88%
Percent of change:
0.22%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
WEEKLY_COMPN_PAID_FROM_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Last date of weekly compensation
entitlement
Note that there is a large proportion of missing data for
this variable since not all claims will receive a weekly
compensation.
Only time-loss claims are associated with weekly
compensation payments.
Variable Details
Description: Date that worker was last entitled to
weekly compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 65.88%
Percent of change:
1.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
WEEKLY_COMPN_PAID_TO_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Note that there is a large proportion of missing data for
this variable since not all claims will receive a weekly
compensation.
Only time-loss claims are associated with weekly
compensation payments.
Page 43 of 126
Injury Details
Variable Name
Date of Injury
Variable Details
Description:
Date of injury
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.04%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
AFFLICTION_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
The time during work the injury
occurred
This can be an approximate date for occupational
diseases.
Variable Details
Description: The time during work the injury occurred
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.46%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
WORK_ACTIVITY_TYPE_CD
0
1
2
3
4
Unknown
During course of employment
During a recess period
Journey to/from employment
Other
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 44 of 126
Variable Name
Major group associated with the
mechanism of injury
Variable Details
Description: Mechanism of injury major group based
on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition.
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, the subgroup for
this variable is ACCIDENT_TYPE_CD below.
ACCIDENT_TYPE_GROUP_CD
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
FALLS
HIITTING OBJECT
BEING HIT BY MOVING OBJECT
SOUND AND PRESSURE
BODY STRESSING
HEAT
CHEMICALS AND SUBSTANCES
BIOLOGICAL
MENTAL
OTHER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Sub-group associated with the
mechanism of injury
Variable Details
Description:
Mechanism of injury subgroup based on
TOOCS 2008 3rd edition.
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.46%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, the major group for
this variable is ACCIDENT_TYPE_GROUP_CD above
ACCIDENT_TYPE_CD
1
2
3
11
12
13
Falls from a height
Falls on the same level
Stepping, kneeling or sitting on objects
Hitting stationary objects
Hitting moving objects
Rubbing and chafing
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 45 of 126
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
32
33
38
39
41
42
43
44
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
61
62
63
64
69
71
72
79
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
91
92
93
94
95
98
99
Being hit by falling objects
Being bitten by an animal
Being hit by an animal
Being hit by a person accidentally
Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment
Being trapped between stationary and moving objects
Exposure to mechanical vibration
Being hit by moving objects
Being assaulted by a person or persons
Exposure to single, sudden sound
Long term exposure to sounds
Exposure to sound from audio communication equipment
Explosion
Other variations in pressure
Muscular stress while lifting, carrying, or putting down objects
Muscular stress while handling objects other than lifting, carrying or putting down
Muscular stress with no objects being handled
Repetitive movement, low muscle loading
Contact with hot objects
Contact with cold objects
Exposure to environmental heat
Exposure to environmental cold
Exposure to non-ionising radiation
Exposure to ionising radiation
Contact with electricity
Drowning/immersion
Exposure to other and unspecified environmental factors
Single contact with chemical or substance
Long term contact with chemicals or substances
Insect and spider bites and stings
Contact with poisonous parts of plant or marine life
Other and unspecified contact with chemical or substance
Contact with, or exposure to, biological factors of non-human origin
Contact with, or exposure to, biological factors of human origin
Contact with, or exposure to, biological factors of unknown origin
Exposure to a traumatic event
Exposure to workplace or occupational violence
Harassment
Work pressure
Suicide or attempted suicide
Other mental stress factors
Work related harassment and/or workplace bullying
Other harassment
Slide or cave-in
Vehicle accident
Rollover
Motor vehicle - usage accident
Tram/train/rolling stock involved
Other and multiple mechanisms of incident
Unspecified mechanisms of incident
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 46 of 126
Variable Name
Major group for the nature of the injury
Variable Details
Description: Nature of injury major group
defined by VCODE
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, this
variable is the major group for
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_CD below
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_GROUP_CD
11
12
13
14
15
16
19
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
39
999
Intracranial Injuries
Fractures
Wounds, Lacerations and Amputations
Burns
Injury to Nerves and Spinal Cord
Traumatic Joint/Ligament and Muscle/Tendon Injury
Other Injuries
Musculoskeletal System
Mental Disorders
Digestive System
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
Nervous or Sense Organs
Respiratory System
Circulatory System
Infections and Parasites
Neoplasm (Cancer)
Other Diseases
Unknown
Recording Guidance
On 1 July 2002 the Nature of Injury/Disease
Classification System for Victoria (VCODE) was
introduced.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 47 of 126
Variable Name
Nature of the injury as per VCODE
Variable Details
Description:
Nature of injury (defined by VCODE)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: This variable is the
subgroup for the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_GROUP_CD
above
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Nature of the injury as per TOOCS
major group
The value labels for this variable is available on
request from ISCRR
Variable Details
Description: Nature of injury major group based on
TOOCS 3.1 classification system (May 2008)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, this is the major
group for the AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD
variable below
AFFLICTION_NATURE_GROUP_TOOC
S_CD
11
12
13
14
15
16
19
21
22
23
24
25
26
Intracranial Injuries
Fractures
Wounds, Lacerations, Amputations and Internal Organ Damage
Burn
Injury To Nerves and Spinal Cord
Traumatic Joint/Ligament and Muscle/Tendon Injury
Other Injuries
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Diseases
Mental Diseases
Digestive System Diseases
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Diseases
Nervous System and Sense Organ Diseases
Respiratory System Diseases
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 48 of 126
27
28
29
39
999
Circulatory System Diseases
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Neoplasms (Cancer)
Other Diseases
Other Claims
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Nature of the injury as per TOOCS
subgroup
This variable is using TOOCS version
3.1classification (May 2008)
From July 1998 WORKSAFE changed over to the
National Occupational Health & Safety Commission's
Type of Occurrence Classification System (TOOCS).
Variable Details
Description: Nature of injury subgroup based on
TOOCS 3.1 classification system (May 2008)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: The main group for this
variable is the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_GROUP_TOOCS_CD
above
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
From July 1998 WORKSAFE changed over to the
National Occupational Health & Safety Commission's
Type of Occurrence Classification System (TOOCS).
The value labels for this variable are available on
request from ISCRR.
Page 49 of 126
Variable Name
Agency of injury major group (TOOCS
2008)
Variable Details
Description: Agency of injury major group based on
TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below, this
variable is the main group for
BREAKDOWN_AGENCY_CD below
BREAKDOWN_AGENCY_GROUP_CD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
MACHINERY AND FIXED PLANT
MOBILE PLANT AND TRANSPORT
POWERED EQUIPMENT
UNPOWERED TOOLS
CHEMICALS
MATERIALS AND SUBSTANCES
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES
ANIMAL
OTHER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Agency of injury sub-group(TOOCS
2008)
Variable Details
Description: Agency of injury subgroup based on
TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.46%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: This variable is the subgroup
of BREAKDOWN_AGENCY_GROUP_CD above
BREAKDOWN_AGENCY_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
The value labels are available from ISCRR on request
Page 50 of 126
Variable Name
Claimant’s disability type
Variable Details
Description: Claimant’s disability type
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.47%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
DISABILITY_TYPE_CD
1
2
3
4
34
FATALITY
PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY
PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY
TEMPORARY DISABILITY
Unknown
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Major group of the first bodily
location of the injury
Variable Details
Description: First bodily location of injury major group
using TOOCS 2008 3rd edition.
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below, the
subgroup for this variable is
FIRST_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD below
FIRST_BODILY_LOCN_GROUP_CD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
HEAD
NECK
TRUNK
UPPER LIMBS
LOWER LIMBS
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
SYSTEMIC
MENTAL
UNSPECIFIED
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 51 of 126
Variable Name
Sub-group of the first bodily
location of the injury
Variable Details
Description: First bodily location of injury subgroup
based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.53%
Percent of change:
0.01%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, the main group for
this variable is FIRST_BODILY_LOCN_GOUP_CD
above
FIRST_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD
0
110
111
120
121
128
129
130
140
141
150
160
180
190
210
211
218
219
310
311
318
319
330
331
332
333
334
335
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
350
351
352
353
354
358
Unknown
Cranium
Brain
Eyeball
Ocular adnexa
Eye - other and multiple
Eye - unspecified
Ear
Mouth
Tooth/teeth
Nose
Face, not elsewhere classified
Head - multiple locations
Head - unspecified locations
Neck bones, muscles and tendons
Neck - internal organs and glands
Neck - other and multiple
Neck - unspecified
Upper back
Lower back
Back -other and multiple
Back - unspecified
Ribs
Chest muscles
Breast
Heart
Lung, trachea and bronchus
Other internal chest organs
Chest - other and multiple
Chest - unspecified
Abdominal muscles and tendons
Stomach
Small intestine and duodenum
Liver and intrapepatic ducts
Gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts
Pancreas
Pelvic bones, muscles and tendons
Spleen
Bladder
Kidney
Abdominal ducts and glands
Large colon and rectum
Genital (reproductive) organs
Abdomen - other and multiple
VWA Data Dictionary
359
380
390
410
420
430
440
450
460
461
462
468
469
480
490
510
520
530
540
550
560
561
568
569
580
590
610
620
630
640
650
660
680
688
690
710
720
730
740
750
780
790
800
900
Abdomen -unspecified
Trunk - multiple locations
Trunk - unspecified locations
Shoulder
Upper arm
Elbow
Forearm
Wrist
Hands
Fingers
Thumb
Hand, fingers and thumb - other and multiple
Hand, fingers and thumb - unspecified
Upper limb - multiple locations
Upper limb - unspecified locations
Hip
Upper leg
Knee
Lower leg
Ankle
Foot
Toes
Foot and toes - other and multiple
Foot and toes - unspecified
Lower limb - multiple locations
Lower limb - unspecified locations
Neck and spine
Head and neck
Head and other
Trunk and limbs
Upper and lower limbs
Neck and shoulder
Other specified multiple locations
Major proportion of external surface of body
Unspecified multiple locations
Circulatory system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Genitourinary system
Nervous system
Other and multiple systemic conditions
Unspecified systemic conditions
Psychological system
Unspecified locations
Page 52 of 126
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Major group of the second bodily
location of the injury
Variable Details
Description: Second bodily location of injury major
group using TOOCS 2008 3rd edition.
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below and this variable is
the main group for
SECOND_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD below
SECOND_BODILY_LOCN_GROUP_
CD
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Unknown
HEAD
NECK
TRUNK
UPPER LIMBS
LOWER LIMBS
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
SYSTEMIC
MENTAL
UNSPECIFIED
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Sub-group of the second bodily
location of the injury
Variable Details
Description: Second bodily location of injury subgroup
based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 90.4%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: The major group for this
variable is SECOND_BODILY_LOCN_GROUP_CD
above
SECOND_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 53 of 126
Help Notes
The value labels for this variable is the same as
FIRST_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD above
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Third bodily location of injury major group
using TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below, this variable is the
major group for the THIRD_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD
below
Major group of the third bodily
location of the injury
THIRD_BODILY_LOCN_GROUP_CD
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Unknown
Head
Neck
Trunk
Upper limbs
Lower limbs
Multiple locations
Systemic
Mental
Unspecified
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Sub-group of the third bodily
location of the injury
Variable Details
Description: Third bodily location of injury subgroup
based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 97.79%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: The major group for this
variable is THIRD_BODILY_LOCN_GROUP_CD above
THIRD_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
The value labels for this variable is the same as
FIRST_BODILY_AFFLICTION_CD above
Page 54 of 126
Variable Name
Gradual onset of injury flag
Variable Details
Description: Flag indicating whether onset of injury was
gradual
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 18.36%
Percent of change:
0.02%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No,
Blank= Unknown
GRADUAL_ONSET_FL
Recording Guidance
Not often used by WORKSAFE .. Field is mandatory for
standard claims, optional - for minor.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of aids and appliances
used
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of Aids And Appliances
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.52%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
AIDS_AND_APPLIANCES_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Agent accept medical only liability code
Agent accept medical only liability code Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 24.98%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
AGENT_ACCEPT_MEO_LIAB_CD
N
Y
P
Rejected
Accepted
Pending
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 55 of 126
Help Notes
Variable Name
Agent accept medical only liability
date
Variable Details
Description: Date of latest medical only liability
decision
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 24.98%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
AGENT_ACCEPT_MEO_LIAB_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Community integration program flag
CIP_FL
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Flag to indicate whether claim is managed
under TAC's Community Integration Program
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 99.9%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No
CIP_FL
N
Y
Total
Percent
2,011,529
99.99%
270
0.01%
Help Notes
Variable Name
Community integration program
transfer date
CIP_TRANSFER_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date the claim was transferred into the
community integration program
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 99.9%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 56 of 126
Variable Name
Common law flag
CLAW_FL
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Flag to indicate whether a claim has a
Common Law application
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAW_FL Total
Percent
N
1982287
98.53%
Y
29512
1.47%
Help Notes
Variable Name
Common law case start date
CLAW_CSSTT_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date the latest Common Law case
commenced
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 98.7%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Common law case resolved date
CLAW_CSRES_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date the latest Common Law case was
resolved
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 98.7%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Impairment benefits flag
IB_FL
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Flag to indicate whether a claim has an
Impairment Benefits application
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No
IB_FL Total
Percent
N
1933985
96.13%
Y
77814
3.87%
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 57 of 126
Variable Name
Impairment benefits lodgement date
IB_LODGED_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date that the impairment benefits
application was lodged
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 96.1%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Impairment benefit whole person
impairment percentage
IB_WPI_PR
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Insurer accept time lost liability flag
INSURER_ACCEPT_LIABILITY_FL
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Percentage of impairment
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 96.6%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Possible values 0-100 percent
Variable Details
Description: Flag to indicate whether time lost claim
was accepted, rejected or if decision is still pending.
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.49%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No, P=Pending,
Empty= Uknown
INSURER_ACCEPT_LIA
BILITY_FL
Total
Percent
9777
0.49%
N
157863
7.85%
P
244755
12.17%
Y
1599404
79.50%
Help Notes
Variable Name
Insurer accept time lost liability date
INSURER_ACCEPT_LIABILITY_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date of latest time lost liability decision
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.48%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not available
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 58 of 126
Variable Name
Insurer received date
INSURER_RECEIVED_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date the insurer received the claim
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.48%
Percent of change:
0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Treatment Outcome Details
Variable Name
Total Allied Health Provider Costs
Variable Details
Description: Total Allied Health Provider costs
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
2.03%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
ALLIED_HEALTH_PROVIDER_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total costs for Chemist
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of Chemist
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data:
0.0%
Percent of change:
1.25%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CHEMIST_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 59 of 126
Variable Name
Total Cost for Chiropractor services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of Chiropractor Services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.07%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CHIROPRACTOR_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date the claim reached 104 weeks of
weekly compensation
Variable Details
Description: Date the claim reached 104 weeks of
weekly compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 96.35%
Percent of change:
0.13%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_104_WEEKS_COMPN_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date the claim reached 52 weeks of
weekly compensation
Variable Details
Description: Date the claim reached 52 weeks of
weekly compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 94.21%
Percent of change:
0.19%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_52_WEEKS_COMPN_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 60 of 126
Variable Name
Total cost of doctor services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of doctor services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
2.17%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
DOCTOR_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date first weekly compensation was
received
Variable Details
Description: Date the claimant first received weekly
compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data:
60.89%
Percent of change:
0.2%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
FIRST_COMPENSATION_DRAWN_D
T
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date first non-weekly compensation
was received
Variable Details
Description: Date the claimant first received a payment
not relating to weekly compensation
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 42.9%
Percent of change:
0.25%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
FIRST_NON_COMPN_DRAWN_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 61 of 126
Variable Name
Total costs of hospital services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of Hospital Services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.51%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
HOSPITAL_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of legal services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of legal services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.6%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
LEGAL_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of lump sum payments
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of lump sums
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.3%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
LUMP_SUMS_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 62 of 126
Variable Name
Other lump sum amount
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of other lump sums
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.3%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
OTHER_LUMP_SUMS_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of massages
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of massage
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.07%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MASSAGE_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of Medical and like
services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of medical and the like
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
3.05%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MEDICAL_AND_LIKE_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 63 of 126
Variable Name
Total cost of other lump sum
payments
Variable Details
Description: Other lump sum amount
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
OTHER_LUMP_SUMS_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of other Medical and like
services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of other medical and the like
amount
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.14%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
OTHER_MEDICAL_AND_LIKE_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of overpayment recovery
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of overpayment recovery
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.18%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
OVERPAYMENT_RECOVERY_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 64 of 126
Variable Name
Total cost of personal services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of personal services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.22%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PERSONAL_SERVICES_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of physio services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of physiotherapy services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.79%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PHYSIO_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost of psychological services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of psychology services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.28%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PSYCHOLOGY_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 65 of 126
Variable Name
Total cost of rehabilitation services
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of rehabilitation services
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.55%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
REHABILITATION_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date the claimant returned to work
Variable Details
Description: Date the claimant returned to work
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 47.49%
Percent of change:
0.45%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
RESUMED_WORK_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Claimant returned to work Full-time
or Part-time
Though the accuracy of this field has improved over
the last few years. WORKSAFE has noted the field will
be left blank if an agent has failed to follow up with a
claim to find out if they are currently working and
occasionally incorrect dates are entered. For further
details see Help notes at the end of this document.
Variable Details
Description: Whether the claimant resumed work fulltime or part-time
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 41.92%
Percent of change:
0.35%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
RESUMED_WORK_TYPE_CD
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 66 of 126
1
2
Full time
Part time
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total cost for Section 98
compensation (Maims and
impairment)
Variable Details
Description: Total cost of Section 98 (compensation for
maims and impairment)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.18%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SECTION_98_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total non-compensation payments
paid
MAIMS = Lump sum entitlements, for injuries
incurred before 12 November 1997, which provide
compensation for permanent disability (section 98 &
section 98a)
Variable Details
Description: Total amount of non-compensation
payments paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
3.52%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 67 of 126
Variable Name
Total amount of all payments made
Variable Details
Description: Total amount of all payments
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
3.71%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
TOTAL_PAYMENT_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total amount of weekly
compensation paid
Variable Details
Description: Total amount of weekly compensation
paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
1.14%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
WEEKLY_COMPENSATION_AM
Recording Guidance
Note that there is a large proportion of zero amount
data for this variable since not all claims will receive a
weekly compensation amount.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 68 of 126
Variable Name
Total amount of Total Incapacity
weekly compensation paid
Variable Details
Description: Total amount of Weekly Compensation
(type 1 - Total Incapacity) paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.84%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
WEEKLY_COMPN_1_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Total amount of Partial Incapacity
weekly compensation paid
Note that there is a large proportion of zero amount
data for this variable since not all claims will receive a
weekly compensation of this type.
Time-loss claims will receive weekly compensation not
medical claims.
Variable Details
Description: Total amount of Weekly Compensation
(type 2 - Partial Incapacity) paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.34%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
WEEKLY_COMPN_2_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Note that there is a large proportion of zero amount
data for this variable since not all claims will receive a
weekly compensation of this type.
Time-loss claims will receive weekly compensation not
medical claims.
Page 69 of 126
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Total amount of Weekly Compensation
Total amount of Partial Incapacity (no (type 3 - Partial Incapacity No Suitable Employment
suitable employment offered) weekly Offered ) paid
compensation paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.29%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
WEEKLY_COMPN_3_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Note that there is a large proportion of zero amount
data for this variable since not all claims will receive a
weekly compensation of this type.
Time-loss claims will receive weekly compensation not
medical claims.
Page 70 of 126
Payments Dataset
The payments dataset represents the money paid by WORKSAFE to the service providers for
various services that facilitate health recovery and return to work.
Variable Short List
Claim
The payments dataset variables and their descriptions are listed in the table below:
Group Variable Name
Data Field Name
Description
De-identified
number
Number used to
identify a specific
payment relating to
a claim
Date the claim
status was valid
Type of Payment
made
Payment
Date the provider
received payment
Date of
invoice/start date
weekly payment
entitlement
End date of weekly
payment
entitlement
Invoice amount
Amount paid by
scheme
GST amount
Level 1 Group for
payment type
Level 2 Group for
payment type
Category for
payment type
Payment status
Receiving party of
payment
Service provider
number of provider
receiving payment
Centrelink
payment amount
Scheme gross
VWA Data Dictionary
CLAIM_NUMBER
Unique claim id number
PAYMENT_NUMBER
Number used to identify a specific
payment relating to a claim
CLAIM_PAYMENT_STAT
US_DT
Date the payment status was
applicable
PAYMENT_TYPE_CD
The type of payment made
DRAWN_DT
Date that the cheque was drawn
(i.e. the date that the provider
received the payment)
INVOICE_OR_START_DT
Date of invoice or the start date of
a weekly payment entitlement
period
END_DT
End date of a weekly entitlement
period
INVOICE_AM
Amount listed on the invoice
SCHEME_PAYMENT_AM
Amount that the Scheme paid
PAYMENT_GST_AM
PAYMENT_GROUPING_
CODE1
PAYMENT_GROUPING_
CODE2
CLAIM_PAYMENT_CATE
GORY_CD
CLAIM_PAYMENT_STAT
US_CD
GST amount
The level 1 group that the payment
type falls under
The level 2 group that the payment
type falls under
The category that the type of
payment falls under
PAYEE_TYPE_CD
PAYMENT_PROVIDER_N
UMBER
The status of a particular payment
The party who received the
payment
Service provider number
identifying the provider receiving
the payments.
DSS_PAYMENT_AM
Amount paid to Centrelink
SCHEME_GROSS_PAYM
Total amount paid by the Scheme
Page 71 of 126
payment amount
ENT_AM
(includes GST)
Day count
DAY_CT
Number of days of weekly
compensation paid
Variable Detailed Description
This section describes each variable in the dataset in greater detail.
Claim Details
Variable Name
Claim number
Variable Details
Description: Unique de-identified number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
This is a random claim identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link claims between different
datasets and is unique for every case in the claims
dataset only, but it will be repeated in other
datasets.
Payment Details
Variable Name
Payment number used to identify a
specific payment
Variable Details
Description: Number used to identify a specific
payment relating to a claim
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PAYMENT_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
This is a random unique payment identification
Page 72 of 126
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date the claim status was valid
number generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link between the payments
dataset and services dataset and is unique for every
case in the payment dataset only, but it will be
repeated in other datasets.
Variable Details
Description: Date the payment status was
applicable
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_PAYMENT_STATUS_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Type of payment made
Indicates the date that the payment status has last
changed for the current payment.
Variable Details
Description: The type of payment made
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See below
PAYMENT_TYPE_CD
The following acronyms are found throughout the labels below:
S or SECT = Section
WORKSAFE
= Victorian WorkCover Authority
VARC = Victorian Accident Recovery Council
DEEWR = Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
WAB
= Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
RTW
= Return To Work
C/LAW = Common Law
WISE = WorkCover Incentive Scheme for Employers
NALAG = National Association for Loss and Grief
ACC
= Accident Compensation Corporation
PRE LIT = Pre Litigation
APPL = Applicant
PLAINTIFF = A person who brings a case against another in a court of law
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 73 of 126
QC
= Queen's Council
VARC = Victorian Accident Recovery Council
ICRP
= Intensive Case Review Program
MAIMS = Lump sum entitlements, for injuries incurred before 12 November 1997 provide compensation for
permanent disability (s98 & s98a)
IB
= Impairment benefits (non-economic loss benefits) for injuries incurred on or after 12 Nov 1997 (s98c &
s98e)
GST
= Goods and Services Tax
1
2
3
Weekly compensation (sect. 93)
Weekly compensation (sect. 94(4))
Weekly compensation (sect. 94(5))
116
117
118
5
Lump sum redemption (sect. 115(1))
119
6
7
Lump sum redemption (sect. 115(2))
Lump sum redemption (sect. 115(3))
120
121
8
Lump sum death (sect. 92)
122
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Burial and cremation costs (sect. 99(1b))
Lump sum maim - disorders of vision
Lump sum maim - injury to upper extremities
Lump sum maim - injury to lower extremities
Lump sum maim - disorders of hearing
Lump sum maim - quadriplegia
Lump sum maim - impairment of back
Lump sum maim - impairment of the neck
Lump sum maim - impairment of the pelvis
125
126
127
129
130
131
132
133
134
18
Lump sum maim - other
142
19
Lump sum maim - loss of mental power
143
20
Medical doctor
144
21
Not used after 1/10/86. hospital
145
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Chemist
Ambulance service
Physiotherapist
Chiropractic
Nursing service (as defined)
Dental
Aids & appliances
Special approved weekly payment
Rehab - initial program assessment
Rehab - program costs (excluding type 33)
Rehab - therapeutic aids
Rehab - retraining costs
Rehab - interpreter fees
Rehab - occupational therapy
Rehab - work site visits
146
147
148
150
151
152
161
162
163
164
165
169
170
171
185
37
Rehab - psychology and counselling
186
38
Rehab - transportation costs
Rehab - other (not covered in types 30-38 &
70-79)
Worker's legal costs (incl. disbursements)
Acc legal costs ( incl. disbursements)
Court search fee
Fact & circumstance investigation (including
common law)
S112 examination
Interpreting services-worker
Travel & accommodation (other than
ambulance)
187
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
VWA Data Dictionary
189
190
191
WorkSafe legal costs - lit c/law post 1/12/92
Worker's legal costs-lit c/law 1/12/92
WorkSafe legal costs- court of appeal
Worker's legal costs-appeal court(including other
parties)
Workers case preparation-case preparation costs
Workers case preparation-medical reports
Workers case preparation-accommodation &
travel
Impairment assessment-examination and report
Wab - no formal disposal
Wab - no formal disposal (medical)
Treating health practitioners report
Miscellaneous medical and like services
Community access
Hydrotherapy
Exercise physiology
Attendant care
Activities investigations-agent arranged-gst
inclusive
Circumstance investigation - agent arranged - gst
inclusive
Activities invest-legal panel arranged gst inclusive
Circumstance invest- legal panel arranged-gst
inclusive
Reimbursement - loss of wages
Conciliation declaration loss of income
Conciliation declaration transport expenses
Payment type 150 restricted for acc *rar* use only
Small business - rtw essentials
Benefits & support services assessment (bassa)
Wsf wage subsidy - rtw full time
Wsp wage subsidy - rtw part time
Wst wage subsidy training
Wse wage subsidy end payment
Wage subsidy - miscellaneous
Workplace equipment and modifications
Retraining costs
Job placement service
Reimbursement of employer excess
Recovery refunds prior insurers tac &
overpayment
Recovery refunds-acc legal costs
Fact & circumstance investigation (including
common law)
Medical reports (incl. common law)
Super contribution - weekly payment
Super contribution - no weekly payment
192
Interest paid - super contribution
200
201
Supplementary payment - weekly compensation
Lump sum maim - s98a pain & suffering
202
Lump sum maim - permanent brain damage
188
Page 74 of 126
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
Barristers/qc's/cost consultants
Worker's legal costs - supreme court
WorkSafe legal costs - supreme court
Legal fees-independent expert evaluation (iee)
C/law damages pre 1/12/92
Worker's legal costs-c/law pre 1/12/92
WorkSafe legal costs-c/law pre 1/12/92
Not used after 1/10/86. common law fees &
expenses
Worker's legal costs - admin. appeals tribunal
WorkSafe legal costs - admin. appeals tribunal
Worker's legal costs - magistrates court
WorkSafe legal costs - magistrates court
Worker's legal costs - county court
WorkSafe legal costs - county court
Refund to employer
62
Hospital - public - inpatient
246
63
Hospital - public - outpatient
247
64
65
Hospital - public - day surgery
Hospital - private - inpatient
248
249
66
Hospital - private - outpatient
250
67
69
70
71
72
73
Hospital - private - day surgery
Rehab - aids for independent living
Rehab - home modifications
Rehab - car modifications
Rehab - workplace modifications - structural
Rehab - workplace modifications - equipment
Rehab - household help - local government
service
Rehab - household help - non-local
government service
Rehab - household help - community health
centre
Rehab - attendant care - local government
service
Rehab - attendant care - non-local government
service
Rehab - attendant care - community health
centre
Interest paid on weekly payments - scheme
costs
Penalties paid for late weekly paymentsscheme costs
Acupuncturist
Speech therapist
Psychologist
Chiropodist/podiatrist
Osteopathy
Remedial massage
Naturopaths
Special for manual cheque entry
Dietitian
Employer payment (first 5 days compensation)
Employer payment (first $269 medical)
(excluding rehab)
Hearing services
Occupational therapist
Optometrist
Nursing home
Remedial exercise
54
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
VWA Data Dictionary
211
212
213
214
215
216
232
Work commencement subsidy (week 1)
Wage subsidy (week 12 + 24)
Work stability (week 45 + 52)
Wise training course (acc)
Wise - discretionary payment
Wise - prov placement & durability fee
Worker's legal costs-pre lit s98/98a
233
WorkSafe legal costs - pre litigated s98/98a
234
235
236
237
238
239
245
252
253
254
255
256
257
Worker's legal costs-lit s98/98a
WorkSafe legal costs - litigated s98/98a
S98c & e-impairment benefits lump sum
S98/98a-maim lump sum
S98c independent impairment assessment
S98c & e plaintiff management costs
C/law damages - pre litigation post 19/10/99
Worker's legal costs pre- litigation c/law post
19/10/99
WorkSafe legal costs-pre litigation c/law post
19/10/99
C/law damages litigation post 19/10/99
Worker's legal costs- litigation c/law 19/10/99
WorkSafe legal costs- litigation c/law post
19/10/99
S115a interim settlements
Settlements - s115(1a)
Settlements - s115(1b)
Settlement - s115 (icrp)
Settlement - s116 (workcare)
Settlement - s117
260
Death pension - partner
261
Death pension - orphan
262
Death pension - child
263
Death pension - interest
264
Lump sum death (interest) (sect.92)
265
Lump sum (sect 92aa) non - dependant appl
270
Sttm admin. (financial) WorkSafe cost
271
Sttm admin. (legal) WorkSafe cost
280
281
282
290
291
292
300
310
398
399
Litigated maims s128 interest - scheme
Pre-lit maims s128 interest - scheme
Maims penalty interest
Litigated ib s128 interest - scheme
Pre-lit ib s128 interest - scheme
Ib penalty interest
Public hospital
Private hospital
S138 WorkSafe plaintiff
S138 3rd party defendant
S138 acc legal costs including disburse-(acc use
only)
S138 circumstance investigations (agent initiated)
Sect 138 medical report costs
Sect 138 other costs
Wise initial payment (varc)
Wise interim payments (varc)
400
401
402
403
411
412
Page 75 of 126
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
Social worker
Other
Personal & household services.
Internal rehab. providers
External rehab providers
S99a - pilot program payment (former p.o.p.s.)
Medical doctor (varc)
Varc rehabilitation employment program
Occupational rehabilitation
Rehabilitation services
S98 & s98c hearing loss assessment
Tac/WorkSafe mediation costs
Reimburse worker vocational rehab costs
(deewr)
Interest paid on weekly payments - agent liable
Common law damages - pre lit post 1/12/92
Workers legal costs-pre-lit c/law post 1/12/92
WorkSafe legal costs-pre lit c/law post 1/12/92
Common law damages - lit post 1/12/92
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
413
414
415
500
555
556
565
566
567
568
569
570
Wise bonus payments (varc)
Wise training course (varc)
Wise associated costs (varc)
Medical panel payments
S115 administration costs - workers costs
S115 administration costs - WorkSafe
Case management project costs
Case management project extensions
Targeted intervention - legal costs
WorkSafe legal costs-pre-litigated fatality claims
Part payment pending common law payment
Worker's legal costs – pre litigation fatality claim
600
Coordinated care programs
650
660
670
700
Case management
Family counselling services
Counselling (nalag accredited)
Sprains & strains care model
A number of payment type codes have been
discontinued overtime. A list of all the payment type
codes along with their current validity status is available
on request.
When linking to hospital admissions only the following
codes provide a possible link.
PAYMENT_TYPE_CD Description
300
Public hospital
310
Private hospital
There are 226 different payment type codes, only 2
codes above link to Admissions dataset and only 126
link to services dataset. Therefore filtering on
PAYMENT_TYPE_CD for data extractions will need to
take this into consideration.
Variable Name
Date the provider received payment
Variable Details
Description: Date that the cheque was drawn (i.e. the
date that the provider received the payment)
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
DRAWN_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 76 of 126
Variable Name
Date of invoice/start date weekly
payment entitlement
Variable Details
Description: Date of invoice or the start date of a weekly
payment entitlement period
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 1.7%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
INVOICE_OR_START_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
End date of weekly payment
entitlement
Variable Details
Description: End date of a weekly entitlement period
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 59.36%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
END_DT
Recording Guidance
There is a large proportion of missing data because the
END_DT variable is only populated for weekly
payments i.e. PAYMENT_TYPE_CD = 1, 2 or 3.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 77 of 126
Variable Name
Invoice amount
Variable Details
Description: Amount listed on the invoice
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
INVOICE_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Amount paid by scheme
Variable Details
Description: Amount that the Scheme paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SCHEME_PAYMENT_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
GST amount
PAYMENT_GST_AM
Variable Details
Description: GST amount
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Centrelink payment amount
DSS_PAYMENT_AM
VWA Data Dictionary
Variable Details
Description: Amount paid to Centrelink
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Page 78 of 126
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Scheme gross payment amount
SCHEME_GROSS_PAYMENT_AM
Variable Details
Description: Total amount paid by the Scheme (includes
GST)
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Day count
DAY_CT
Variable Details
Description: Number of days of weekly compensation
paid
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Level 1 Group for payment type
Variable Details
Description: The level 1 group that the payment type
falls under
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
PAYMENT_GROUPING_CODE1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Weekly compensation
Lump sums
Other - paid to worker
Medical and like (including rehabilitation)
Legal
Other - paid to other
Medical reports
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
This variable has been re-coded by ISCRR from the
Page 79 of 126
original variable PAYMENT_GROUPING_CD_1 to
remove the repeating labels for multiple values.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Level 2 Group for payment type
Variable Details
Description: The level 2 group that the payment type
falls under
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
PAYMENT_GROUPING_CODE2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Weekly compensation
Redemption
Death
Other - paid to worker
Section 98
Doctor
Hospital
Allied health providers
Aids and appliances
Rehabilitation
Workers representative
Insurer representative
Other - paid to other
Medical reports
Common law
Personal services
Other - medical and like
Other - lump sums
Recording Guidance
This variable has been re-coded by ISCRR from the
original variable PAYMENT_GROUPING_CD_2 to
remove the repeating labels for multiple values.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 80 of 126
Variable Name
Category for payment type
Variable Details
Description: The category that the type of payment
falls under
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
CLAIM_PAYMENT_CATEGORY_CD
1
2
3
4
Compensation
Hospital
Medical
Other
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Payment status
Variable Details
Description: The status of a particular payment
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
CLAIM_PAYMENT_STATUS_CD
1
2
3
4
5
Cancelled
Final
Incomplete
Not paid
Paid
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 81 of 126
Variable Name
Receiving party of payment
Variable Details
Description: The party who received the payment
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
PAYEE_TYPE_CD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
CLAIMANT
EMPLOYER (ORGN)
WORKPLACE
NO PAYMENT (EMPLOYER LIABILITY)
OTHER
SERVICE PROVIDER
UNMATCHED SERVICE PROVIDER
UNKNOWN
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Service provider number of provider
receiving payment
Variable Details
Description: Payment provider number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PAYMENT_PROVIDER_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
This number is de-identified by ISCRR based on the
original variable from WORKSAFE
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 82 of 126
Page Intentionally Left Blank
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 83 of 126
Services Dataset
The services dataset relate to the services used by claimants related to injuries in the workplace.
Variable Short List
The services variables and their descriptions are listed in the table below:
Claims
Unique service
number identifier
Service counter
Service date
Item of first service
Item of first service
description
Unique Service
provider number
Payment
De-identified claim
number
Service
Group Variable Name
Data Field Name
Description
CLAIM_NUMBER
Claim number identifier
Service number
identifier
SERVICE_CT
Service counter
SERVICE_DT
Service date
SERVICE_ITEM_CD
First service item code
First service item
SERVICE_ITEM_DS
description
Service provider
SERVICE_PROVIDER_NB
number
The drug category that
Medication category
a claimant was
prescribed to
PHARMACY_ITEM_CATEGORY_CD
prescribed (if
claimant
applicable)
Prosthesis item group
Prosthesis item group
PROSTHESIS_ITEM_GROUP_CD
code
code
Number used to
identify a specific
Claim payment
PAYMENT_ID
payment relating to a
identifier
claim
Amount payable by
Scheme payable
SCHEME_PAYABLE_AM
scheme
amount
Item GST amount
SERVICE_ITEM_ID
ITEM_GST_AM
GST amount
Variable Detailed Description
This section describes each variable in the dataset in greater detail.
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 84 of 126
Claim Details
Variable Name
Claim number
Variable Details
Description: Unique de-identified claim number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
This is a random claim identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link between different
datasets and is unique for every case in the claims
dataset only, but it will be repeated in other datasets
as claims might be associated with many services or
payments. For more details see additional help notes
at the end of this document.
Service Details
Variable Name
Service number
Variable Details
Description: Service number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SERVICE_ITEM_ID
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This is a random service identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to identify a row of data and to
perform internal data validation checks as data is
received every year.
Page 85 of 126
Variable Name
Service counter
Variable Details
Description: Service counter
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SERVICE_CT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
A very large proportion of the sample has value zero
Frequency of a particular service
Variable Name
Variable Details
Description: Service date
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Service date
SERVICE_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Service item code
Variable Details
Description: Service item code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.36%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: The value labels are
available from ISCRR on request.
SERVICE_ITEM_CD
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
Note that there are 56,081 possible value labels and
12,062 are unknown to WORKSAFE.
Page 86 of 126
Help Notes
The SERVICE_ITEM_CODE is derived from
SERVICE_ITEM_CD_2 which in turn is derived by recoding SERVICE_ITEM_CD_1 so that all letters
appear as digits. This was done to facilitate data
compatibility with SPSS. It was recommended to only
using SERVICE_ITEM_CD_1 as it's likely to be more
accurate.
When cross-referencing services data with payments
data it will be noted that the services breaks
the corresponding payment (contained in the
payments database) down into further components
(i.e. the service item codes).
Services are potentially grouped within each
individual payment, which mostly would come down
to how the provider decides to bill the services.
Usually a provider will bill all services related to a
particular treatment/examination/occupational rehab
program etc. within the one invoice. These services
may not have all occurred on the same day but they
usually occur close together.
Variable Name
Service provider number
Variable Details
Description: Service provider number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SERVICE_PROVIDER_NB
Recording Guidance
This is a de-identified provider number generated by
ISCRR
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 87 of 126
Variable Name
Medication category prescribed to
claimant
Variable Details
Description: The drug category that a claimant was
prescribed
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 94.0%
Percent of change:
23.02%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
PHARMACY_ITEM_CATEGORY_CD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
ANALGESIA - NON S8 ORAL
NSAID - ORAL
HEADACHE/MIGRAINE
INFECTION - MRSA
ULCER/REFLUX
DEPRESSION
ANXIETY/SEDATION
CARDIOVASCULAR
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
NAUSEA/VOMITING
LAXATIVES
MUSCLE SPASM
LIPID/CHOLESTEROL LOWERING
HYPERTENSION
RESPIRATORY
INFECTION OTHER - VIRAL/FUNGAL/UTI/RTI/SPLENECTOMY
DIABETES MELLITUS
OSTEOPOROSIS/CALCIUM
EPILEPSY
MUSCULOSKELETAL - RHEUM
ARTHRITIS/GOUT/PREDNISOLONE
WEIGHT LOSS
DIGESTIVES, ENZYMES, ANTI-DIARRHOEALS, ETC
SEX HORMONES
PSYCHOTIC ILLNESS
SKIN
ALLERGY
NEUROMUSCULAR ILLNESS (PARKINSONS, MS, MG)
EYE PREPS
EAR/NOSE/THROAT
VITAMINS/MINERALS/FATTY ACIDS/AMINO ACIDS
ANTICOAGULANTS
BLADDER
HYPERACTIVE DISORDER/ALZHEIMER
THYROID DRUGS
PITUITARY/ADRENAL HORMONES
BIRTH CONTROL
CANCER/ONCOLOGY/TRANSPLANT/HAEMATOLOGY
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 88 of 126
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
5555
6666
7777
7778
DENTAL/ORAL
SMOKING/ALCOHOL
SURGICAL/IV FLUIDS
VACCINES
DRUG DEPENDENCY/TOXICITY
INFECTION - UNUSUAL BACTERIA/PARASITIC
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES FOR HEADACHES PROPYLAXIS
NEUROPATHIC PAIN
INJECTABLE NARCOTICS - SCHEDULE 8
INJECTABLE STEROIDS
PBS SCHEDULE 8 - ORAL, TOPICAL AND RECTAL
NSAID GELS
ANTIFUNGALS
ACNE
HAEMMORHOIDS
COLD AND FLU
DRESSINGS
BANDAGES AND TAPES
DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS/STRIPS
PRIVATE SCHEDULE 8 - ORAL AND TOPICAL (PRIVATE ONLY)
NERVE BLOCKS/ANAESTHETICS
RUBEFACIENTS
INJECTABLE BENZODIAZEPINES
PRIVATE SCHEDULE 8 (PBS EQUIVALENT)
PAEDIATRIC
SCALP
SUNSCREENS
ADJUSTMENTS/MISCELLANEOUS
CUTOVER ITEMS
OTC AND NON-DEFINED
OVER THE COUNTER WITH FEE SCHEDULE
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
This variable is available only if drugs were
prescribed in the service.
Accuracy of the
PHARMACY_ITEM_CATEGORY_CD
It is important to note three issues:
1. The item codes are a mix of Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS) and other coding (possibly
internal to WORKSAFE – source where derived from
is unclear).
2. A fairly large percentage of items are in a
‘miscellaneous group’ and cannot be identified
precisely. Assume that about half of these are Over
the Counter (OTC).
3. There is a steep drop-off of drug use if you look
further back in time. It is unlikely that this reflects a
(gigantic) increase in drug use recently but perhaps
they were not recorded as a SERVICE some years
ago. The records pre 2008 should be interpreted with
caution as it is unclear how reliable they are.
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 89 of 126
When viewing the WORKSAFE prescription drugs,
PBS only (as it appears to be the most meaningful
non OTC component of the drug data), it seems like
medication use/claims only appeared after 2005.
That is, when looking at clients with injury dates in
2005, 1.6% claimed at least one PBS drug during the
following two years; this number steeply increases to
7.0% in 2006, 14% in 2007, 18% in 2008 and 18% in
2009.
Variable Name
Number used to identify a specific
payment relating to a claim
Variable Details
Description: Number used to identify a specific
payment relating to a claim
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PAYMENT_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This is a random payment identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link between the payments
dataset and services dataset and is unique for every
case in the payment dataset only, but it will be
repeated in other datasets.
Page 90 of 126
Variable Name
Amount payable by scheme
Variable Details
Description: Scheme payable amount
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
SCHEME_PAYABLE_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Item GST amount
Variable Details
Description: GST amount
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
ITEM_GST_AM
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Prosthesis group code
Variable Details
Description: Prosthesis group for the service
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 99.77%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PROSTHESIS_ITEM_GROUP_CD
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ungrouped - Old
Ophthalmic
Ear, Nose & Throat
General Miscellaneous
Neurosurgical
Urogenital
Specialist Orthopaedic
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 91 of 126
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Plastic and Reconstructive
Cardiac
Cardiothoracic
Vascular
Hip
Knee
Spinal
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 92 of 126
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VWA Data Dictionary
Page 93 of 126
Medical Certificates Dataset
The dataset contains the data of medical certificates issued to injured workers.
Variable Short List
The medical certificates variables and their description is listed in the table below:
Data Field Name
Description
De-identified
number (ISCRR
generated)
CLAIM_NUMBER
Unique claim identifier
CERTIFICATE_NUMB
ER
Medical certificate identifier
Medical certificate
Claim
Group Variable Name
De-identified
number (ISCRR
generated)
Affliction Nature
TOOCS Group
Code
Affliction Nature
TOOCS Code
Affliction Nature
VCODE Group
Code
Affliction Nature
VCODE Code
First bodily location
subgroup of injury
for medical
certificate
Second bodily
location subgroup of
injury for medical
certificate
Third bodily location
subgroup of injury
for medical
certificate
Date the record was
created
Date when insurer
received medical
certificate
Last occurrence flag
Date Alternate
duties can be
resumed
Date Alternate
VWA Data Dictionary
AFFLICTION_NATUR
E_TOOCS_GROUP_C
D
AFFLICTION_NATUR
E_TOOCS_CD
AFFLICTION_NATUR
E_VCODE_GROUP_C
D
AFFLICTION_NATUR
E_VCODE_CD
Affliction Nature TOOCS Group Code
Affliction Nature TOOCS Code
Affliction Nature VCODE Group Code
Affliction Nature VCODE Code
FIRST_BODILY_LOC
ATION_CD
First bodily location of injury subgroup
for the certificate based on TOOCS
2008 3rd edition
SECOND_BODILY_L
OCATION_CD
Second bodily location of injury
subgroup for the certificate based on
TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
THIRD_BODILY_LOC
ATION_CD
Third bodily location of injury subgroup
for the certificate based on TOOCS
2008 3rd edition
CREATE_DT
The date the record was created
INSURER_RECEIVED
_DT
Date when the insurer received the
medical certificate
LATEST_OCCURENC
E_FL
Latest occurrence flag Y or N
MED_CERT_ALT_DU
TIES_FROM_DT
Alternative duties from this date
MED_CERT_ALT_DU
Alternative duties to this date
Page 94 of 126
duties can be ended
Medical examination
date
Medical certificate
start date
Medical certificate
source
(hospital/medical
practitioner)
Provider number for
certificate provided
by Worksafe
Date modified duties
can be resumed
Date Alternate
duties can be ended
Date normal duties
can be resumed
Claimant unfit to
work start date
Claimant unfit to
work end date
Expiry date of
medical certificate
Medical certificate
type code
VWA Data Dictionary
TIES_TO_DT
MEDICAL_EXAMINAT
Medical examination date
ION_DT
MEDICAL_CERTIFICA
Medical certificate from date
TE_FROM_DT
MEDICAL_CERTIFICA Medical certificate source “hospital” or
TE_SOURCE_CD
“Medical practitioner”
MEDCERT_PROVIDE
R_NB
MOD_DUTIES_FROM
_DT
MOD_DUTIES_TO_D
T
Provider number for certificate
provided by Worksafe
Modified duties from this date
Modified duties to this date
RESUME_DT
Date normal duties resumed
UNFIT_FROM_DT
Claimant is unfit to work from this date
UNFIT_TO_DT
Claimant is unfit to work to this date
Medical certificate is valid until this
date
Code indicating whether the medical
MEDICAL_CERTIFICA certificate is an initial/first certificate or
TE_TYPE_CD
a continuing/subsequent medical
certificate
VALID_UNTIL_DT
Page 95 of 126
Variable Detailed Description
This section describes each variable in the dataset in greater detail.
Claim Details
Variable Name
Claim number
CLAIM_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Details
Description: Unique de-identified number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
This is a random claim de-identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link between different
datasets and is unique for every case in the claims
dataset only, but it will be repeated in other datasets.
Medical Certificate Details
Variable Name
Certificate number
CERTIFICATE_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Variable Details
Description: Certificate number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
This is a random certificate identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to identify a row of data in the
medical certificate dataset.
Page 96 of 126
Variable Name
Affliction Nature TOOCS Group Code
Variable Details
Description: Affliction Nature TOOCS Group
Code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_GROUP_CD
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_GROUP_CD in the claims section
Recording Guidance
The values for this variable are the same as the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_GROUP_CD
in the claims section.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Affliction Nature TOOCS Code
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Affliction Nature TOOCS Code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD in the
claims section
The values for this variable are the same as the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD in the
claims section.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Affliction Nature VCODE Group Code
Variable Details
Description: Affliction Nature VCODE Group
Code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_GROUP_CD
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_GROUP_CD
in the claims section
Recording Guidance
The values for this variable are the same as the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_GROUP_CD
in the claims section.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 97 of 126
Variable Name
Affliction Nature VCODE Code
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_CD
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Affliction Nature VCODE Code
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_CD in the
claims section
The values for this variable are the same as the
AFFLICTION_NATURE_VCODE_CD in the
claims section.
Help Notes
Variable Name
First bodily location subgroup of
injury for medical certificate
FIRST_BODILY_LOCATION_CD
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: First bodily location of injury subgroup
for the certificate based on TOOCS 2008 3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
FIRST_BODILY_LOCATION_CD in the claims
section
The values for this variable are the same as the
FIRST_BODILY_LOCATION_CD in the claims
section except that they refer to the medical
certificate.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Second bodily location subgroup of
injury for medical certificate
SECOND_BODILY_LOCATION_CD
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Second bodily location of injury
subgroup for the certificate based on TOOCS 2008
3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
SECOND_BODILY_LOCATION_CD in the claims
section
The values for this variable are the same as the
SECOND_BODILY_LOCATION_CD in the claims
section except that they refer to the medical
certificate.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 98 of 126
Variable Name
Third bodily location subgroup of
injury for medical certificate
THIRD_BODILY_LOCATION_CD
Recording Guidance
Variable Details
Description: Third bodily location of injury
subgroup for the certificate based on TOOCS 2008
3rd edition
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Refer to the
THIRD_BODILY_LOCATION_CD in the claims
section
The values for this variable are the same as the
THIRD_BODILY_LOCATION_CD in the claims
section except that they refer to the medical
certificate.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date the record was created
CREATE_DT
Variable Details
Description: The date the record was created
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Medical certificate type code
MEDICAL_CERTIFICATE_TYPE_CD
C
F
I
S
Variable Details
Description: Code indicating whether the medical
certificate is an initail/first certificate or a
continuing/subsequent medical certificate.
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Continuing Medical Certificate
First Certificate of Capacity
Initial Medical Certificate
Subsequent Certificate of Capacity
Recording Guidance
Old certificates are represented by codes "I" and "C"
and new certificates are represented by "F" and "S".
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 99 of 126
Variable Name
Date when insurer received medical
certificate
Variable Details
Description: Date when the insurer received the
medical certificate
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
INSURER_RECEIVED_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Last occurrence flag
Variable Details
Description: Flag to indicate whether or not the
medical certificate is the most recent
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.26%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Y=Yes, N=No
LATEST_OCCURRENCE_FL
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date Alternate duties can be resumed
Variable Details
Description: Date that the claimant is able to
commence alternate duties
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 90.79%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MED_CERT_ALT_DUTIES_FROM_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Note that not all medical certificates will be written for
alternate duties therefore a large proportion will have
dates missing.
Page 100 of 126
Variable Name
Date Alternate duties can be ended
Variable Details
Description: End date of the claimant's alternate
duties period
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 90.79%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MED_CERT_ALT_DUTIES_TO_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Medical examination date
Note that not all medical certificates will be written for
alternate duties therefore a large proportion will have
dates missing.
Variable Details
Description: Medical examination date
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MEDICAL_EXAMINATION_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Medical certificate start date
Variable Details
Description: Medical certificate from date
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 0.64%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MEDICAL_CERTIFICATE_FROM_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 101 of 126
Variable Name
Medical certificate source
(hospital/medical practitioner)
MEDICAL_CERTIFICATE_SOURCE_C
D
Variable Details
Description: Medical certificate source code
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 27.26%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: See descriptions below
Hospital
Medical practitioner
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date modified duties can be resumed
MOD_DUTIES_FROM_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date Alternate duties can be ended
Variable Details
Description: Modified duties from this date
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 73.88%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Modified duties are coded differently but are very
similar to alternative duties. For research purposes
alternative and modified duties can be combined.
Note that not all medical certificates will be written for
modified duties therefore a large proportion will have
dates missing.
Variable Details
Description: Modified duties to this date
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 73.88%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
0.0%
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
MOD_DUTIES_TO_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Modified duties are coded differently but are very
similar to alternative duties. For research purposes
alternative and modified duties can be combined.
Note that not all medical certificates will be written for
modified duties therefore a large proportion will have
dates missing.
Page 102 of 126
Variable Name
Date normal duties can be resumed
Variable Details
Description: Date the claimant is fit to resume work
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 94.64%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
RESUME_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Claimant unfit to work start date
UNFIT_FROM_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date that the claimant's total incapacity
period commenced
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 35.18%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Claimant unfit to work end date
UNFIT_TO_DT
Variable Details
Description: End date of the claimant's total
incapacity period
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 35.18%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Expiry date of medical certificate
VALID_UNTIL_DT
Variable Details
Description: Date that the medical certificate is valid
until
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 3.12%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 103 of 126
Hospital Admissions Dataset
The dataset contains hospital admissions’ data of injured workers.
Note that there are many missing cases in the data between 1985 and 1994; therefore please
use the data with caution.
Variable Short List
Variable Name
Data Field Name
Claim
De-identified claim number
CLAIM_NUMBER Unique claim identifier
Payment
The hospital admissions variables and their description are listed in the table below:
Group
Number used to identify a
specific payment relating to
a claim
PAYMENT_NUM
BER
ADMISSION_NU
MBER
EPISODE_STAR
Date admitted to hospital
T_DT
EPISODE_END_
Date released from hospital
DT
Initial Injury/illness
FIRST_DIAGNO
diagnosis
SIS_CD
Type of hospital procedure FIRST_HOSP_P
administered
ROCEDURE_CD
Number of days of hospital HOSP_EPISODE
stay
_DAY_NB
Patient type classification
PATIENT_TYPE_
of claimant
CD
Unique identifier of the
service provider linked to
HOSPITAL_NB
hospital admission
Diagnostic group for
DRG_TYPE_AN
procedure
D_CD
HOSP_SEPARA
Reason patient left hospital
TION_CD
Hospital Admission
Unique admissions number
VWA Data Dictionary
Description
Unique payment identification
number
Unique admission identification
number
Date admitted to hospital
Date released from hospital
The initial injury/illness diagnosed
The type of hospital procedure
administered
The duration (in days) of the
hospital episode
The patient type the claimant is
classified under
Unique identifier of the service
provider linked to the hospital
admission
Diagnosis related group for the
procedure undertaken
Reason the patient left hospital
Page 104 of 126
Variable Detailed Description
This section describes each variable in the dataset in greater detail.
Claim Details
Variable Name
De-identified claim number
Variable Details
Description: Unique de-identified number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
0.0%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
CLAIM_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
This is a random claim identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link between different
datasets and is unique for every case in the claims
dataset only, but it will be repeated in other
datasets.
Payment details
Variable Name
Number used to identify a specific
payment relating to a claim
Variable Details
Description: Number used to identify a specific
payment relating to a claim
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
Not applicable
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PAYMENT_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
This is a random payment identification number
generated by ISCRR
This variable is used to link between the payments
dataset and services dataset and is unique for every
case in the payment dataset only, but it will be
repeated in other datasets.
Page 105 of 126
Hospital details
Variable Name
Unique admissions number
Variable Details
Description: specific hospital admission
identification number
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
Not applicable
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
ADMISSION_NUMBER
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Date admitted to hospital
This is a random hospital admission identification
number generated by ISCRR
This variable is unique for every case in the hospital
admission dataset only.
Variable Details
Description: Date admitted to hospital
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 25.1%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
EPISODE_START_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 106 of 126
Variable Name
Date released from hospital
Variable Details
Description: Date released from hospital
Data type:
Date
Percent missing data: 25.1%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
EPISODE_END_DT
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Initial Injury/illness diagnosis
Variable Details
Description: The initial injury/illness diagnosed
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 68.58%
Percent of change:
95.59
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
FIRST_DIAGNOSIS_CD
Recording Guidance
There are 56,030 possible codes which are
available from ISCRR on request.
Help Notes
Variable Name
Type of hospital procedure
administered
Variable Details
Description: The type of hospital procedure
administered to claimant
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 96.53%
Percent of change:
96.96%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
FIRST_HOSP_PROCEDURE_CD
Recording Guidance
VWA Data Dictionary
There are 4,365 possible codes which are available
from ISCRR on request.
Page 107 of 126
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 108 of 126
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 109 of 126
Variable Name
Number of days of hospital stay
Variable Details
Description: The duration (in days) of the hospital
episode
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 56.39%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
HOSP_EPISODE_DAY_NB
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
Variable Name
Patient type classification of claimant
Variable Details
Description: The patient type the claimant is
classified under
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.0%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
PATIENT_TYPE_CD
2201
2202
2203
2204
2205
2206
2207
2208
2209
2210
2211
2212
2213
2214
2215
2216
ADMIT FOR ASSESSMENT ONLY
BRAIN,NEURO,SPINE & MAJOR MULTIPLE TRAUMA-FIM=13
ALL OTHER IMPAIRMENTS - FIM=13
STROKE - MOT FIM=63-91; COG FIM=20-35
STROKE - MOT FIM=63-91; COG FIM=5-19
STROKE - MOT FIM=47-62; COG FIM=16-35
STROKE - MOT FIM=47-62; COG FIM=5-15
STROKE - MOT FIM=14-46; AGE>=75
STROKE - MOT FIM=14-46; AGE<=74
BRAIN DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=56-91; COG FIM 32-35
BRAIN DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=56-91; COG FIM=24-31
BRAIN DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=56-91; COG FIM=20-23
BRAIN DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=56-91; COG FIM=5-19
BRAIN DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=24-55
BRAIN DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=14-23
NEUROLOGICAL - MOT FIM=63-91
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 110 of 126
2217
2218
2219
2220
2221
2222
2223
2224
2225
2226
2227
2228
2229
2230
2231
2232
2233
2234
2235
2236
2237
2238
2239
2240
2241
2242
2243
2244
2245
AS
BPAIN
CCU
DS
GS
HS
ICU
M
MS
NURS
OR
PI
PO
PSY
PY
REH
RP101
RP102
SAMED
THR
TLC
NEUROLOGICAL - MOT FIM=49-62
NEUROLOGICAL - MOT FIM=18-48
NEUROLOGICAL - MOT FIM=14-17
SPINAL CORD DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=81-91
SPINAL CORD DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=47-80
SPINAL CORD DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=14-46; AGE>=33
SPINAL CORD DYSFUNCTION - MOT FIM=14-46; AGE<=32
AMPUTATION OF LIMB - MOT FIM=72-91
AMPUTATION OF LIMB - MOT FIM=14-71
PAIN SYNDROMES
ORTHOPAED CONDS, FRACTURES - MOT FIM=58-91
ORTHOPAED CONDS, FRACTURES - MOT FIM=48-57
ORTHOPAED CONDS,FRACTURE-MOTFIM=14-47;COGFIM=19-35
ORTHOPAED CONDS,FRACTURE-MOTFIM=14-47;COGFIM=5-18
ORTHOPAED CONDS, JOINT REPLACEMENT - MOT FIM=72-91
ORTHOPAED CONDS, JOINT REPLACEMENT - MOT FIM=49-71
ORTHOPAED CONDS, JOINT REPLACEMENT - MOT FIM=14-48
ORTHOPAED CONDS, OTHER - MOT FIM=68-91
ORTHOPAED CONDS, OTHER - MOT FIM=53-67
ORTHOPAED CONDS, OTHER - MOT FIM=14-52
CARDIAC
MAJOR MULTIPLE TRAUMA - FIM TOTAL=101-126
MAJOR MULTIPLE TRAUMA - FIM TOTAL=74-100; OR BURNS
MAJOR MULTIPLE TRAUMA - FIM TOTAL=44-73
MAJOR MULTIPLE TRAUMA - FIM TOTAL=19-43
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS - MOT FIM=67-91
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS - MOT FIM=53-66
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS - MOT FIM=25-52
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS - MOT FIM=14-24
ADVANCED SURGICAL
EPWORTH PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
CORONARY CARE PATIENT
DAY SURGERY
GENERAL SURGICAL
HEAD/SPINAL INJURIES
INTENSIVE CARE PATIENT
MEDICAL
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
NURSING HOME PATIENT
ORTHOPAEDIC INJURIES
INPATIENT
OUTPATIENT
PSYCHIATRIC CARE
PSYCHIATRIC
REHABILITATION
REHABILITATION PRIVATE - ACCOMMODATION
REHABILITATION PRIVATE - DAY PROGRAMS
SAME DAY PATIENT
THEATRE PATIENT
TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTRE
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Based on Australian National Sub-Acute and NonAcute Patient Classification System (AN-SNAP) for
patient type codes.
Page 111 of 126
Variable Name
Unique identifier of the service provider
linked to hospital admission
Variable Details
Description: Unique identifier of the service provider
linked to the hospital admission
Data type:
Numeric
Percent missing data: 0.00%
Percent of change:
0.00%
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
HOSPITAL_NB
Recording Guidance
This is a random identification number relating to a
hospital generated by ISCRR
Help Notes
Variable Name
Diagnostic group for procedure
Variable Details
Description: Diagnosis related group for the
procedure undertaken
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 83.36%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
DRG_TYPE_AND_CD
Recording Guidance
There are 56,504 possible codes which are
available from ISCRR on request.
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 112 of 126
Variable Name
Reason patient left hospital
Variable Details
Description: Reason the patient left hospital
Data type:
String
Percent missing data: 83.37%
Percent of change:
not available
Measurement:
Nominal
Codes and descriptions: Not applicable
HOSP_SEPARATION_CD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DEATH
DISCHARGE TO ANY ACUTE CARE IN THIS HOSPITAL
DISCHARGE TO PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION OR HOME
DISCHARGE & TRANSFER TO NURSING HOME
DISCHARGE TO PRIV. ACCOMM./HOME ARRANGED BEFORE DISCHARGE
DISCH. & TRANSFER TO MAJOR SPECIALIST OR TEACHING HOSPITAL
DISCHARGE & TRANSFER TO OTHER HOSPITAL OUTSIDE REGION
DISCHARGE & TRANSFER TO OTHER HOSPITAL WITHIN REGION
OTHER DISCHARGE (INCLUDING DISCHARGE AT OWN RISK)
MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
Recording Guidance
Help Notes
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 113 of 126
Additional Help notes
Calculating weeks as Claim Milestones
When examining questions where you would like to include claim milestone variables (i.e. 13
week changes in compensation etc.) and need to calculate the weeks once weekly payments
have started the WORKSAFE claim manual (Section 9.5.1) provides a clear explanation of how
this can be achieved once weekly payments have started (i.e. “each week in which weekly
payments have been paid or are payable, whether consecutive or not, should be counted as 1
week”).
However the manual also then states that the first 10 days need to be included in the weekly
payment estimate. This means that you need to add the EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT to the
SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT and then convert it to weeks.
The first 10 days are equivalent to 2 weeks. However, you need to be aware that not all claims
where the EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT field is populated would have had 10 days off work.
So it's best to only count the number of days/weeks of weekly compensation for claims where the
SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT is greater than or equal to 1.
Incapacity Days/Days compensated/ Time Lost and Calculating Benefits Paid
In order to lodge a claim, a worker needs to have a medical excess of a certain amount (see
below), or 10 days off work.
In the CLAIMS Dataset, there are many claimants with 0 incapacity days or less than 10
incapacity days.
Incapacity days/number of days compensated/Time Lost can be obtained in two ways:
1. The INCAPACITY_DAY_CT variable or
2. The formula using two variables SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT +
EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT
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Medical excess:
Below is the most up-to-date medical excess table:
Year
2013/14
2012/13
2011/12
2010/11
2009/10
2008/09
2007/08
2006/07
2005/06
2004/05
2003/04
2002/03
2001/02
2000/01
1999/00
1998/99
1997/98
1996/97
1995/96
1994/95
1993/94
1992/93
1991/92
1990/91
1989/90
1988/89
1987/88
1986/87
1/9/85 –
30/6/86
Amount
$642
$629
$610
$592
$582
$564
$546
$531
$517
$506
$495
$480
$466
$440
$430
$426
$426
$416
$407
$389
$378
$378
$360
$344
$317
$301
$286
$269
$250
Using the INCAPACITY_DAY_CT variable
Incapacity days (in INCAPACITY_DAY_CT) are calculated using the dates listed on any medical
certificates that WORKSAFE receives. This count is usually higher than the number of days
compensated possibly because of delayed payments or the worker might not be entitled to
compensation for all of the incapacity days listed. Researchers are advised to use
INCAPACITY_DAY_CT with caution, because there are some uncertainties regarding the
accuracy and reliability of this field.
VWA Data Dictionary
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Using the formula for number of days compensated
Calculating the number of days compensated (as incapacity days/time lost/disability duration)
provides confirmation that the worker had an incapacity for those days (otherwise they shouldn't
be receiving payments).
The number of days compensated is calculated according to the following formula:
SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT + EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT
If employers have opted to "buyout" (i.e. they pay a certain amount each year so that they are not
required to pay the threshold*), the EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT will equal zero.
* When liability has been accepted on a claim for compensation an employer is responsible for
paying the first 10 days off work and the first $592 (indexed annually) in medical and like
expenses (the employer’s excess) unless they take out the buy-out option on their WorkCover
injury insurance policy
If employers do not have a buyout option then the EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT should equal
10 (or 5 for earlier claims). For these claims, only the true number of days compensated can be
determined if they've exceeded the 10 day threshold. Otherwise if they haven't yet reached 10
days then we can only say that they've had 10 days or less as WORKSAFE does not keep track
of employer payments.
Calculating median number of incapacity days
To calculate the median number of incapacity days, claimants with more than 10 days incapacity
should be considered separately to those with 10 days or less.
For those claimants with 10 or less days of compensation, you will not be able to calculate the
median since there is not a record of the number of days paid by the employer.
Furthermore, by looking at claimants with 10+ days of compensation the "medical only" claims
are excluded (i.e. claims lodged for medical expenses only – this is where the claimant has not
stopped working).
How do you know the claim is medical only?
There is a field called MEDICAL_ONLY_FL that will equal "Y" if it is a medical only claim and "N"
if not. Most of the medical only claims will have 10 or less days compensated, however there are
quite a few that have more than 10 days. This occurs mostly for older claims (1985-1987)
although there are some up until 2001 where this occurs. The opinion is that these likely were
genuinely time lost claims to begin with, but were then switched to medical only. It would likely be
OK to include these claims in the calculation of median days.
Claim Status:
The CLAIM_STATUS_CD should generally not be blank in the main claims file. However, if blank
fields occur due to merging with the other datasets that have been provided (such as the
payments dataset) this is likely due to the fact that the claims were specifically excluded from the
main claims file. It may have been excluded because the claim was opened in error or
abandoned.
There were 19 claims from the late 80s/early 90s that are included in the payments file but not in
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 116 of 126
the claim file. If there are claims that do not have any payment details, this occurs for minor
claims that have not yet reached the medical and like threshold. The reason this has occurred is
that all of those claims (with no payment), were registered in error and so were not included in
the claim file but this check was not performed when constructing the payment file. It is
recommended to excluding these cases as they normally wouldn't be included in the
WORKSAFE analyses.
Time between injury and filing of claim:
The SCHEME_RECEIVED_DT is the date in which the details of the claim are entered into the
system and can be used to calculate the time that has elapsed between the injury date and the
claim being filed. Alternatively the INSURER_RECEIVED_DT is the date that the agent receives
and date-stamps the claim form. WORKSAFE usually tends to use the
INSURER_RECEIVED_DT, however, when a claim is reclassified from minor to standard, the
date is altered so that it reflects the date the claim was reclassified. The
CLAIM_RECLASSIFICATION_DT field may also be used. SCHEME_RECEIVED_DT is however
mostly used for the purpose of calculating time between the injury and filing the claim..
Billing for occupational rehabilitation services:
Payment code 106 covers most of the payments for Occupational Rehabilitation, but there are a
few other smaller ones as well. The table below shows annual payments of Occupational
Rehabilitation by payment code.
Self-insured variable:
SELF_INSURED_CD=1
The decision to remove the SELF_INSURED_CD variable from the CRD is due to the fact that
the CRD does not contain any self-insured employers, all values of this variable would be set to 1
(meaning the employer is not self-insured).
The only self-insurer details that are stored in the database where WORKSAFE extract the data
from relate to employers that were previously with the Scheme and then became self-insurers.
This database does not track these employers and any associated claims after they leave the
VWA Data Dictionary
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Scheme,so they are not included in the CRD as the claims history is not complete. This
translates to approximately 88,000 claims and 1.8M payments that are not included in the CRD.
Employment Type – differentiating between casual, part time and full time
employees:
WORKSAFE does not currently differentiate between casual and permanent employees.
Employment Type Code 41 – ‘other employee’ more than likely includes several types of
employment and unfortunately there is at present no way of breaking this group down further to
work out how many are casual employees. Additionally, it is likely that some casual employees
are being classified as Employment Type Code 11 - Full Time Employee or 21 - Part Time
Employee.
Resumed work date:
The RESUMED_WORK_DT in the database relates to the most recent Return to Work (RTW)
date recorded in the system. It's not 100% accurate as agents sometimes take a while to update
this information and sometimes they do not even update it at all (e.g. if a claim has been
terminated or rejected and is therefore not actively managed). Dates for earlier claims are less
likely to be accurate.
Also note that since the database only reflects the most recent RTW date, it is not possible to
analyse data relating to any previous RTW as this has not been included.
How do we know if workers returned to work after their claim?
While RESUMED_WORK_DT does indicate the latest RTW date for a claim there are a few
things to keep in mind:
•
•
•
This field will often be blank for medical only claims (MEDICAL_ONLY_FL = "Y") as well
as claimants who are not currently working.
For claims lodged prior to August 1990, the RESUMED_WORK_TYPE_CD field will often
equal "F" or "P" regardless of whether or not a RESUMED_WORK_DT has been entered.
For this reason, RTW data going back this far is particularly unreliable.
Even though the accuracy of these fields has improved over the last few years, they're still
not 100% reliable. Sometimes the fields will be blank if an agent has failed to follow up
with a claim to find out if they are currently working and occasionally incorrect dates are
entered.
WORKSAFE Injured population size
WORKSAFE only records workers who have lodged a claim. If interested in the number of people
who are insured by one of WORKSAFE's agents (CGU, Allianz, Galligher Basset, QBE,
Xchanging) but may not have necessarily made a claim, this information I unfortunately not
available.
Work disability
WORKSAFE definition of short-term or long-term disability in terms of claim life works around a
measure of claims exceeding 134 weeks of compensation (134 Week Long Tail Measure).
However, any claim with more than two years of weekly compensation paid can be considered a
long-term claim.
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Lost time claims
There is no flag for lost time claims, however, to identify lost time claims from the WORKSAFE
claims data by looking at all claims where the MEDICAL_ONLY_FL does not equal "Y". As this
flag isn't 100% reliable, another check to apply is SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT >
0 (for standard claims only).
Affliction date variable (Affliction_DT)
The question used for the AFFLICTION_DT variable on the claim form is “What was the date and
time the injury/condition occurred?”
Nature of Affliction variable
In the injury and disease data there is a big shift in number of claims in these categories around
2002. This is due to WORKSAFE moving from TOOCS to VCODE in 2002. For this reason the
variable called AFFLICTION_NATURE_OLD_CD has been included which converts the newer
VCODES into TOOCS codes to enable comparisons between pre- and post-2002 injuries. The
conversion is not perfect, and strange trends may be observed in the data, which should be kept
in mind during an analysis.
Unfortunately, more detailed information for AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD and
AFFLICTION_NATURE_OLD_CD are not available. These are the only affliction codes in the
WORKSAFE data. AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD is suitable for analysis for all injuries post-2002.
To compare pre-2002 and post-2002 injuries, AFFLICTION_NATURE_OLD_CD is the only
variable that can be used but as mentioned above, the conversion is not perfect. This is due to
the conversion not being a one-to-one conversion in addition to agents changing the way they
code certain injuries.
As a result of the move to the new VCODE coding system, one may find older claims in the data
that still use TOOCS codes (whereas newer claims use VCODE). For example, code 410 refers
to Contact dermatitis in the old TOOCS format corresponding to code 742 in VCODE.
A TOOCS manual and a VCODE manual can be found in the Additional WORKSAFE documents
for your reference. (See file: TOOCS3.pdf) (See file: VCODE.pdf)
Recoding TOOCS vs VCODE
TOOCS is a more accepted standard classification of nature injuries (and related mechanisms
etc) than VCODE. VCODE is simply a WORKSAFE-specific variation on TOOCS. For research
purposes, particularly if you want to make comparisons with other populations it therefore makes
more sense to use TOOCS. We just have to accept that TOOCS is not such a fine grained
classification as VCODE. Each VCODE category maps to only one TOOCS category for nature
of affliction. It would be much more complex to estimate a mapping going from TOOCS to
VCODE as this mapping is not one-to-one.
For recoding you can EITHER write a series of IF statements OR just one (large) RECODE
statement.
The IF statements would look like this:
COMPUTE AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD
IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=101 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=50.
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IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=102 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=50.
IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=103 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=50.
IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=104 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_GROUP_CD=50.
IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=109 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=50.
IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=111 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=20.
IF AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD=119 AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=10.
etc.
OR the RECODE statement would look like this:
COMPUTE AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD=AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD
RECODE AFFLICTION_NATURE_CD (101,102,103,104,109=50) (111=20) (119-=10) etc
etc INTO AFFLICTION_NATURE_TOOCS_CD.
Unit time for day of accident
Unfortunately the actual time of the day of the accident is not available for the WORKSAFE data.
Minor claims classification
Currently the claim_classification_cd is categorising claims based on the following thresholds
MINOR CLAIMS – ACCtion – THRESHOLD LIMITS BY YEAR
Year
Threshold Limits
for Medical
Time
and like
Lost
Payments (days)
Prior to
1 July 1986
1986-87
1987-88
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91
1991-92
$250
$269
$286
$301
$317
$344
$360
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Year
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
Threshold Limits for
Medical
Time
and like
Lost
Payments (days)
$378
$378
$389
$407
$416
$426
$426
5
10
10
10
10
10
10
Year
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
Threshold Limits
for Medical
Time
and like
Lost
Payments (days)
$430
$440
$466
$480
$495
10
10
10
10
10
NOTES - The medical & like threshold is increased each year in line with the CPI and the time lost threshold is a policy / legislative
decision.
Benefits paid for 365 days and less
By using SCHEME_COMPENSATION_PAID_DY_CT + EMPLOYER_EXCESS_DAY_CT you
can get an indication of how long weekly benefits have been paid.
Time between affliction and certificate
Some claims have a significant gap between the date of injury and the date of the certificate. This
can occur for the following reasons:
• Claim was lodged years after initial injury
• Claim was initially rejected and the decision was overturned (no certificate required during
this period)
• Medical and compensation details recorded against another claim if worker has lodged
multiple claims
VWA Data Dictionary
Page 120 of 126
•
For older claims, not all medical certificates may have been recorded
Independent Medical Examinations (IME)
Independent medical examiners conduct impartial assessments, providing independent medical
opinion. They are arranged by the agent to assist in determining a worker’s medical status or to
clarify issues relating to injury capacity or recovery. Payment type code 44 is use to identify
payments relating to IMEs.
AC Act: S112 Medical examinations
S112 examinations
Section 112 of the Act provides for the medical examination of a worker by an independent
medical examiner. The emphasis of a s112 examination is independent medical assessment and
reporting. An IME is specifically approved by WORKSAFE for the purpose of undertaking a s112
examination.
Generally, a s112 examination is only recommended when:
•
•
•
there is an identified and specific medical, treatment, RTW or case management related
purpose and
the medical treatment or RTW information required cannot be obtained by the Case
Manager, Team Manager, Technical Manager, IMA or Medical Advisor through the
worker’s treating practitioner or specialist or
guidelines or procedural advice from WORKSAFE requires a s112 examination and report
to be obtained
WORKSAFE service data
Some claims (in the Claims database) do not have any payment details, this occurs for minor
claims that have not yet reached the medical and like threshold). The reason this has occurred is
that all of those claims were registered in error and so was not included in the claim file, however
this check was not performed when constructing the payment file. Normally WORKSAFE would
not include these in their analysis and recommend excluding them.
When matching payment, services and claim data, you may note that there are more claims in
the CLAIMS file than in the service and payments file. This happens because not all claims have
payments/services associated with them. These will be mostly minor claims (WORKSAFE only
record payments after the excess has been reached) or claims lodged from 198589. Furthermore, there is a ‘zero to many’ relationship between payments and services since
multiple service payments are sometimes grouped together on one invoice. In other words, for
each payment record, there may be zero, one, or many services associated with that record.
Identification of GP issued certificates
One method to identify the GP population is to first examine all doctor services
(PAYMENT_TYPE_CD = 20) billed by a particular provider over a span of say 12 month. If 80%
of the service items billed fall under GP service items then we can make an educated assumption
that the provider is a GP. Then we can match the so called 'GP' population to the provider who is
issuing the med cert. This is not perfect but it will eliminate specialists etc. who are billing under
the standard GP consult codes.
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An agent requesting for GP report does not count as a GP visit and should fall under Treating
Health Practitioner (THP) Report, hence should be excluded when considering GP certification.
Many services start with the code 700 on “Attendance by a medical practitioner. The following
"700" codes below are classified as GP services for internal reporting; however note that this is
not the comprehensive list of GP service items. It is recommended to use the method specified
above to identify the GP population.
'00700'-'00706','00708','00710','00712','00714','00716'-'00736','00738', '00740', '00742', '00744''00746','00748'-'00768', '00770'-'00779'
Medical certificate info
Should all time loss claims have a medical certificate?
There are a few instances in which weekly payments can be made without a medical certificate.
These are as follows:
When a decision to reject a claim for weekly payments or to terminate weekly payments is set
aside, the worker is not required to provide certificates of capacity for any period between the
date the rejection or termination decision takes effect and the date the decision is set aside. This
could apply when:
• an agent agrees to make any weekly payments following a rejection or termination, even
though there is no formal withdrawal of the notice
• an agent decides to withdraw a decision to reject or terminate following an internal review
• parties at Conciliation agree to withdraw a decision to reject or terminate or the
Conciliation Officer issues a Direction to set aside a decision to reject or terminate
or
• a Court sets aside a decision to reject or terminate.
If you're defining time lost claims as claims where the MEDICAL_ONLY_FL ≠ Y then there will be
a few reasons why claims may not have medical certificates:
• Claim closed and no weekly compensation paid (not entitled to weekly compensation)
• 'Old Claims' (pre-1992)
• Claimants who have died
From the data you would be able to identify MEDICAL_CERTIFICATE_SOURCE_CD - Medical
Practitioner or Hospital. There is no real reliable way of differentiating GPs from other
physicians. However, the first certificate must be issued by a medical practitioner whereas
subsequent certificates can be issued by medical practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropractors or
osteopaths.
When checking the time difference between affliction date and medical examination date varies
to some degree. This is due to the amount of time it takes for a claimant to see a medical
practitioner and depends on the type of injury/disease. For instance, injuries/diseases with a
gradual onset or which are of a chronic nature such as cancer, stress, hearing loss etc. will
generally have a longer delay between the date of injury and the date of their first medical
examination. Additionally, for these types of injuries the date of injury can be difficult to determine
so the affliction date is just an estimate.
VWA Data Dictionary
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Examining the role of working hours
To examining the role of working long hours, overtime, shift work, etc.it is not recommend to use
the TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_NORM_HRS_CT field as it is not audited and not likely to be
completely reliable.
The shift and overtime variables (TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_SHIFT_AM and
TOT_PRE_INJ_WKY_OT_AM, respectively) would be okay to use.
Total of all non-weekly payments (TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM)
The TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM is the total of all non-weekly payments made on the claim.
Subtracting WEEKLY_COMPENSATION_AM from TOTAL_PAYMENT_AM should give the
same result as TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM.
The following payment types are included in WEEKLY_COMPENSATION_AM; any payment
types not in this list are included in TOTAL_NON_COMPN_AM :
Claims without Payments
The reason why so many claims do not have any payments even though the claim has an open
status.
Item
WORKSAFE total claims
Claims that have payments
Claims that DO NOT have
payments
Total
Percent
1890668
1194900 63.20%
695768 36.80%
Looking at only the claims that do not have payments it appears that a lot of them (597559) are
still open.
Claim Status
Status Reason
Total
Claim open
Unknown
597559
Claim reopened
Termination claim (fail to make effort to return to work)
5
Claim reopened
Termination claim (fail to participate in assesments)
2
Claim reopened
Termination claim (fail to participate in rehabilitation)
43
Claim reopened
Termination claim (fail to provide medical certificates)
9
Claim reopened
Termination claim (fraudulence)
2
Claim reopened
Termination claim (over 104 weeks benefits, not serious, tp)
3
Claim reopened
Termination claim (superannuation or termination lump sum)
40
Claim reopened
Termination claim (worker has reached retirement age)
1
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Also it seems that the open claims have been left open without any payments for a long time see
the Injury year below for open claims:
InjuryYearClaimStatusDescriptionTotal
NULL
Claim open
7584
1985Claim open
108
1986Claim open
207
1987Claim open
69
1988Claim open
86
1989Claim open
112
1990Claim open
133
1991Claim open
196
1992Claim open
289
1993Claim open
8175
1994Claim open
37618
1995Claim open
43205
1996Claim open
44062
1997Claim open
42389
1998Claim open
41531
1999Claim open
40967
2000Claim open
38499
2001Claim open
35334
2002Claim open
32965
2003Claim open
30485
2004Claim open
29595
2005Claim open
28381
2006Claim open
25234
2007Claim open
22908
2008Claim open
20814
2009Claim open
17817
2010Claim open
16909
2011Claim open
15772
2012Claim open
16115
Why are there WORKSAFE claims without a medical certificate
Here are the statistics for WORKSAFE:
Item
WORKSAFE total claims
Claims that have medical certificates
Claims that DO NOT have medical certificates
Total
Percent
1,890,668
847,389 44.82%
1,043,279 55.18%
Medical certificates are generally only required if the worker wishes to lodge a time loss claim. A
time loss claim is flagged when MEDICAL_ONLY_FL='N'
If we look at the claims that have medical certificates and MEDICAL_ONLY_FL we have the
following stats:
MEDICAL_ONLY_FL
Claims With Certificate
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N
Y
3,019
779,390
64,980
This shows that the majority of claims will have a medical certificate when it's a time loss claim
flagged by MEDICAL_ONLY_FL='N' with a small number of exceptions.
December of last year in the data is missing claims
There is a lag for end of the year (December month) for the claims to be lodged, therefore data is
not fully available to CRD in January.
Usually by March the next year the December month claims have all been lodged (it takes 3-6
months for the data to settle and not change). This will have implications in the statistics the CRD
have.
It should be noted that the data isn't "complete" at the end of March. Because some people take
months or even years to lodge their claim, the number of people injured during a particular month
will always change. The number will begin to stabilise after a certain number of months. The
chart below shows that this number begins to stabilise after June 2013 for injuries occurring in
December 2012, although data at April/May 2013 would probably be okay too.
Other sources of information
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/
http://www1.worksafe.vic.gov.au/WorkSafe/claimsmanual/default.htm
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/2033.0.55.001
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/8DD07CC4-3BAB-4739-87D1-61844E5BBEE7/0/TOOCS31.pdf
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