- McGowan Government delivers on 2021 election commitment to modernise WA's workers' compensation laws
- Builds on priority workers' compensation reforms from 2018 and 2020
The McGowan Government today delivered on a 2021 election commitment by introducing a Bill into Parliament 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 implements some important improvements such as:
- doubling the medical and health expenses cap and extending the point at which workers' weekly compensation payments step down from 13 to 26 weeks - both 2021 election commitments which will see injured workers receive an appropriate level of financial support for medical expenses and loss of income;
- covering workers catastrophically injured in workplace accidents under the Catastrophic Injuries Support Scheme on the same footing as any person catastrophically injured from a motor vehicle accident; and
- implementing the balance of WorkCover WA's 2014 legislative review report recommendations, Building on priority amendments implemented in 2018 and 2020.
The Bill is the culmination of an extensive review and consultation process dating back to WorkCover WA's legislative review in 2009. This review recommended redrafting of the Act, and the 171 recommendations contained in WorkCover WA's 2014 Review of the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981: Final Report.
Comments attributed to Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston:
"This Bill is a key pillar of the 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 stakeholders and the Western Australian public for contributing to the legislative review, making submissions and ensuring the Bill serves the community well for decades to come."
Minister's office - 6552 6700
