MAKAL Independent Workplace Investigations & Workers Compensation Advisory supports employers through complex workplace matters, particularly where workplace investigations, injury management and workers’ compensation intersect.

While MAKAL is establishing itself as an independent consultancy, the experience behind the business has been developed over almost two decades.

MAKAL is built on extensive hands-on experience across workers’ compensation, injury management, complex claims, psychological injury, rehabilitation, return to work and multi-jurisdictional workers’ compensation schemes.

Practical experience across the whole process

MAKAL’s experience is not limited to one stage of a workers’ compensation matter.

It extends across the entire claim journey from initial notification and claim lodgement through evidence gathering, medical information, claim assessment, complex case management, rehabilitation, suitable duties and return to work.

Just as importantly, MAKAL understands the work that occurs between those stages.

Complex matters often depend on effective communication and coordination between workers, employers, treating practitioners, specialists, rehabilitation providers and other stakeholders.

MAKAL understands not only what information may be required, but who it needs to come from, when it should be obtained and how it fits into the overall matter.

That practical experience assists in identifying information gaps, asking the right questions and bringing together medical, factual and workplace information to support informed decision-making.

Workplace investigations with a different perspective

MAKAL brings that same practical lens to independent workplace investigations.

A workplace investigation is not simply an interview process or a written report.

It requires clear allegations, relevant evidence, appropriate questioning, procedural fairness, objective assessment and an understanding of the wider workplace environment in which the matter has arisen.

MAKAL understands that workplace investigations can also intersect with workers’ compensation.

Allegations involving bullying, harassment, interpersonal conflict, management action, psychosocial hazards or critical workplace events may exist alongside or later develop into a psychological injury claim.

This means the quality of the information gathered, the questions asked, the way people are communicated with and the timing of decisions can have consequences beyond the investigation itself.

What makes MAKAL different?

Many workplace investigation providers bring backgrounds in law, human resources or industrial relations. Those disciplines provide valuable perspectives.

MAKAL brings a different and complementary professional lens.

Our perspective has been developed through years of hands-on involvement in real workers’ compensation and injury-management matters working with injured workers, employers, treating practitioners, specialists, rehabilitation providers, legal representatives and organisational stakeholders.

This provides an understanding of what can happen:

before an allegation becomes an investigation, before a workplace event becomes a claim, during the management of both, and after the investigation report has been delivered.

MAKAL does not view workplace investigations and workers’ compensation as completely separate processes.

In complex matters, they can be closely connected.

Understanding that intersection is one of MAKAL’s key strengths.

What MAKAL offers

MAKAL provides employers with practical support across:

Independent Workplace Investigations Independent, evidence-focused investigation of workplace complaints, allegations, bullying and harassment, misconduct and other sensitive workplace matters.

Complex Workers’ Compensation Claims Advisory Independent review and practical guidance for complex, prolonged or difficult claims.

Psychological Injury Matters Support with the particular challenges associated with psychological injury claims, workplace allegations, medical information and stakeholder communication.

Early Intervention Helping employers identify issues early and establish an appropriate response before a manageable matter becomes more complex.

Return-to-Work Strategy Practical planning around capacity, suitable duties, communication, stakeholder engagement and sustainable return-to-work outcomes.

Injury Management and Suitable Duties Supporting employers to develop appropriate strategies based on current medical capacity and workplace requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement Assisting with communication and coordination between employers, workers, medical practitioners, rehabilitation providers and other relevant parties.

Multi-Jurisdictional Workers’ Compensation Advisory Drawing on practical experience across different Australian workers’ compensation environments and organisational structures.

Experience behind the name

MAKAL may be a new independent business, but the capability behind it is not new.

It has been shaped by years of managing real matters, reviewing evidence, communicating with people during difficult circumstances, navigating competing information, asking difficult questions and working toward practical outcomes.

That experience is now being brought together under one independent consultancy.

The business is new. The experience behind it is not.

MAKAL Independent Workplace Investigations & Workers Compensation Advisory

Workplace Facts. Fair Process. Clear Outcomes.