How does a footy club trainer end up working in insurance?
It’s not the usual career path, but for Cale Millett, Elliott Insurance’s new Head of Workplace Risk and Injury Management, it’s a natural evolution of his passion for helping people recover and thrive, on and off the field.
After working with AFL athletes and a strong background as a Rehabilitation Consultant, Cale has spent the last five years navigating the complex world of Workers Compensation from every angle, from frontline case management to strategic risk consulting for large clients.
Why Workers Compensation Needs a Rethink
At Elliott Insurance, we’ve seen firsthand how poorly managed Workers Compensation programmes can derail a business. From ballooning premiums to serious legal and compliance risks, the cost of inaction is real.
“We noticed more and more new clients coming to us without any proactive or strategic approach to managing Workers Comp,” says CEO John Elliott. “In one case, a client had their premium double in a single period before coming to us for assistance. The broker simply wasn’t equipped to handle claims effectively, and that’s where we stepped in.”
John explains that with the rise of smaller Authorised Representatives across the industry, many clients aren’t getting the support they need.
“Too often, no one is working with the client to put proper internal processes in place. And when a claim hits, it escalates fast. A moderate injury turns into a major cost, not just in human terms, but financially too. When that renewal comes, they’re facing double or triple the premium.”
A New Approach for Elliott Clients
That’s where Cale comes in.
With senior experience at international brokerages, Alcoa, Konekt, and other major employers and consulting firms, Cale brings a rare dual perspective. He understands both insurer and employer challenges from the inside out.
He now leads our Workplace Risk and Injury Management team, helping clients:
- Build or refine claims management processes
- Understand and mitigate premium risks
- Implement early intervention strategies
- Navigate the updated WA Workers Compensation Act
- Work directly with industry bodies to share best practices
“There’s a huge opportunity to add value earlier in the process,” says Cale. “I’m passionate about educating clients, building systems they can use, and helping prevent issues before they snowball into costly claims.”
“One client I worked with saw a 40% reduction in claim duration and costs over 12 months just by changing their reporting process and supervisor training. Small tweaks can lead to massive results.”
More Than a Compliance Role
While injury management might sound like compliance paperwork, Cale sees it differently.
“At the end of the day, it’s about people. Injured workers want to get back to work. Employers want to support them, but they’re not always sure how. My job is to help both sides have the tools, systems, and support they need.”
If you’re a business owner or HR manager struggling with rising Workers Compensation premiums, or you just want to get ahead of potential claims issues, Cale is here to help.
Reach out to the team at Elliott Insurance for a confidential discussion about your programme and where we can support you.
— The Elliott Insurance Green Broker Team
