Icare

icare, officially Insurance and Care NSW, is a government agency of the New South Wales Government in Australia. It administers a range of state-backed insurance and care programs and coordinates related services for injured workers and people who require lifelong care due to serious injuries.

History and overview: icare was established as part of reforms to modernize NSW's insurance and care frameworks, consolidating several programs under a single government entity. It operates under the policy direction of NSW Treasury and is funded by the schemes it administers and by government appropriations. The agency aims to provide accessible services, financial sustainability, and support for effective recovery.

Programs and activities: The core responsibilities include administering the NSW workers’ compensation scheme, which provides wage replacement and medical benefits to injured workers, and managing the Lifetime Care and Support Authority (LCSA), which funds lifelong care for people with catastrophic injuries arising from NSW road accidents. icare also handles claims processing, care planning and funding arrangements for eligible individuals, procurement of medical and allied services, and programs aimed at rehabilitation and returning people to work where possible. It engages in program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and reporting to government.

Governance: icare is governed by a board and led by an executive team, with reporting lines to the NSW Treasurer and the Government. The agency publishes annual reports detailing performance, finances, and reforms.

See also: List of New South Wales government agencies; Workers’ Compensation NSW; Lifetime Care and Support Authority; NSW Treasury.