- Bill to modernise workers compensation laws
passes Legislative Council
- Cook Government delivers on election commitment
- Builds on priority workers compensation reforms
in 2018 and 2020
The Cook Government has
delivered on a 2021 election commitment with the Legislative Council passing
the Bill to modernise workers compensation laws in Western Australia.
The Workers
Compensation and Injury Management Bill 2023 is a complete rewrite of the
workers compensation legislation and is the culmination of an extensive review
and consultation process.
Recommendations from
WorkCover WA's 2014 legislative review report, repealing the archaic 1981
Act with a modernised statute that provides clarity and certainty for
stakeholders is included.
The new Act will deliver
on the Government's election commitments to increase the cap on medical and
health expenses and extends the point a worker's income compensation payments
step down, from 13 to 26 weeks.
It also provides catastrophically
injured workers lifetime care and support, under the catastrophic injuries
support scheme, on the same footing as a person catastrophically injured from a
motor vehicle accident.
The target commencement
date of the new Act is 1 July 2024 when supporting regulations and
administration changes are finalised.
Comments attributed to Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston:
"The passing of the Bill
is a key pillar of the Labor Government's reforms to modernise the industrial
relations system and follows the successful implementation of work, health and
safety and industrial relations reforms in 2022.
"Modernising WA's workers
compensation laws is a major undertaking and I thank WorkCover WA, stakeholders
and other West Australians for contributing to the review, making submissions
and ensuring the Bill serves the community well for decades to come.
"These new laws will
allow injured workers receiving an appropriate level of financial support for
medical expenses and loss of income."
