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What we do

Medical Panels provide expert panels of specialist doctors who come together to resolve medical questions if there is disagreement or uncertainty under the workers' compensation and personal injury legislation.

Each Medical Panel is independent and functions as a tribunal that provides final and legally binding answers to referred questions.

Our history

Medical Panels have been part of the dispute resolution process in Victoria since the early 1990s. During this time Medical Panels has served the valuable purpose of providing fair and cost-effective resolution of medical disputes.

The Director of Medical Panels is Ms Sharon Lewis.

Our purpose statement

Providing impartial, evidence-informed medical opinions for all Victorians. Our knowledge, care and expertise help injured workers and claimants get on with their lives.

Panel members

There are 252 medical practitioners who are appointed as Panel members.

The Convenor and Deputy Convenors

The Convenor, Associate Professor David Ernest and Deputy Convenors, Dr Judith Hammond, Dr Christine Kotsios, and Dr Dominic Yong are appointed until 31 December 2028. They are all Panel Members as well.

The Convenor is responsible for:

  • convening an appropriate Medical Panel once a valid referral is received
  • providing the Medical Panel with referral documents
  • recommending appropriate medical practitioners to the Minister for appointment to the list of Panel Members
  • providing advice to the Minister in relation to matters relating to the Medical Panels

Key data 2024/25FY

0

Total referrals

0

Appointments

0

Finalised Opinions and Reasons documents

Our environment

Medical Panels operates from dedicated premises that include fully equipped medical consulting suites and the administration office.

More information

Convenor's Directions – Medical Panel hearings

PDF |  197 KB

Convenor's Directions - WorkCover

PDF |  1 MB

Convenor's Directions Wrongs Act

PDF |  1.78 MB

Conflict of interest policy

PDF |  480 KB

Feedback and complaints

PDF |  115 KB

Freedom of Information Act statement

PDF |  216 KB

Protocols for the provision of information to the Medical Panels

PDF |  298 KB

Updated

28 August 2026