About Us

Our Approach

Based in Melbourne but servicing clients Nationally, Workplace HR Solutions are a specialised Human Resources Risk Management Firm providing expert consulting and training services in the areas of WorkCover claims, personal injury and return to work management.

We recognise that managing injuries in an occupational environment requires a multi-faceted approach.  Employers are often reactive and do not fully understand their rights or obligations in relation to accommodating employees with temporary or permanent disabilities.  A positive injury management culture encourages disclosure and early reporting, fewer lost time injuries, early and sustained return to work and probably most importantly allows an employer to retain a sense of control in managing these issues.

Workplace HR Solutions risk assesses your injury management issues from all perspectives.  We gain an understanding of what you do, how you do it and what you are trying to achieve.  By integrating human resource management, health and safety compliance and injury management awareness programs, Workplace HR Solutions provide a comprehensive and seamless service, ensuring maximum benefits both culturally and financially to your organisation.

At Workplace HR Solutions we value respect, integrity and simplicity.  We allow our clients to make educated decisions regarding organisational risk by taking the time to explain the reasons behind proposed actions and the risks and rewards involved in taking or failing to take certain actions.

Our aim is to work with you to establish a risk management profile for your business; build and implement a service model that meets your needs; educate, mentor and transfer the skills and knowledge to your team including the nominated officers, managers and supervisors; and, ultimately step away from your business and allow you to manage the process independently and cost effectively with minimal input from us.

Rick Phillips

With almost 30 years in the Workers Compensation Industry, Rick has established a reputation of being one of the most respected consultants in his field. He draws on his extensive experience working in senior roles at Authorised Insurers, as a circumstance investigator, at a WorkSafe Panel Law Firm and as the Principal WorkCover Consultant with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Rick’s strength is assisting employers understand their legal obligations and applying strategies to ensure employers consider their broader legal risks when managing these complex areas including exposure to Workplace Industrial Relations Law and potential discrimination issues.

He is an experienced trainer, facilitator and public speaker and regularly delivers various training courses and on-site awareness sessions for managers and supervisors in injury management and incident investigation. He delivers this training in a friendly, relaxed environment and draws on real life scenarios to connect participants to learning outcomes.

Rex Johnson

Rex has over 25 years’ experience in Workers Compensation Premium and Payroll Tax auditing. He has established his own consultancy company Jokama P/L which was previously a member of the Victorian WorkCover Authority’s Premium Audit panel.
Prior to establishing his own consultancy Rex was employed as the Senior Manager of the WorkCover Audit Group at Ernst & Young in Melbourne.

Thankfully, Rex now represents employer’s interests and his wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of these complex areas has seen him obtain several premium refunds for clients who were over-declaring their remuneration or had been incorrectly classified in relation to WorkCover as well as obtaining refunds for other clients who had over-paid payroll tax.

Rex has also provided successful advocacy and representation for clients in relation to premium audits conducted by the Victorian State Revenue Office and the Victorian WorkCover Authority.