Top Tips - Authorised Report Writers (ARW)
 

For all claims lodged on or after 7 April 1999, a new compensable injury of Psychological or Psychiatric Disorder that is moderately or severely disabling has been added to the Table of Compensable Injuries.

To claim this new compensable injury a report is required by an Authorised Report Writer (ARW).

An ARW is a qualified person who will write a written assessment of your condition to assist the Victims Compensation Tribunal in determining whether the compensable injury of Psychological or Psychiatric Disorder has been established.

Cost of the report

The Tribunal will pay for the report, if prior approval has been given by the Tribunal. The ARW will claim payment directly from the Tribunal and should not ask for payment from either you or your solicitor.

The cost of the report is $500+GST. This amount will be deducted from the final amount allowed for disbursements. The maximum allowed for disbursements is $1,000+GST. This means if you have an ARW report then you will only be able to claim a further $500+GST for disbursements from the Tribunal.

NB If approval to have an ARW report was not given by the Tribunal then the compensation assessor will decide whether or not the Tribunal will pay for the report at the time of determination of the claim.

Counselling

If you are receiving counselling, remember that your counsellor is not allowed to write an ARW report for you. This applies even if you stop receiving counselling. You will need to choose another person from the list of ARWs.

Interpreters

The Tribunal will not pay directly for interpreters, however you can claim the interpreter's fees as part of the disbursements. Remember that once the ARW report has been paid for, you will have a maximum of $500+GST that you can claim as your disbursements.

Other evidence

You will need to show that the Psychological or Psychiatric Disorder is moderately or severely disabling. It will help if you provide any other evidence supporting this to the ARW e.g. school reports, a letter from your employer and statutory declarations from your family or friends. You could also provide the ARW with the names and contact details of persons who could confirm the disability.

Second ARW Report

The Tribunal will not pay for a second ARW report if you are unhappy with the first report. You may submit other medico-legal reports, but remember that once the ARW report has been paid for, you will have a maximum of $500+GST that you can claim as your disbursements.

Further reading

To read about the ARW Scheme or to find an ARW in your area, select this link.

If you have any further questions, you can call the Victims Compensation Tribunal on (02) 9374 3111 or 1800 069 054 (toll free) or TTY (02) 9374 3175 for people who use a TTY machine.