New reforms to benefit injured workers

New reforms for injured workers introduced by the NSW Government have taken effect as of 16 October, according to an announcement by Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello. 

“In August the NSW Government passed landmark reforms to the NSW workers compensation system, announcing a raft of progressive changes to benefits for injured workers,” said Dominello.

“These changes help injured workers with the highest needs. They also assist those with injuries to return to work and, most importantly, apply these benefits equitably for all injured workers.”

The following benefits will apply:

• Increased amount of lump sum compensation for permanent impairment
• Increased death benefit lump sum amount from $528,400 to $750,000
• Increased maximum for funeral expenses from $9000 to $15,000

Changes are also being made to weekly benefits and retirement age.

Injured workers are now entitled to up to 12 months of weekly payments of compensation after reaching retirement age, whether they were injured before or after 1 October 2012.

When the weekly payments of compensation end, a further 12 months of medical benefits are available immediately.

Structural reforms to the NSW workers compensation scheme include a new insurance service provider, Insurance and Care NSW (icare). The State Insurance Regulatory Authority, icare and the new work health and safety regulator, SafeWork NSW, have replaced the insurance and regulatory functions of the now defunct WorkCover NSW.

For more information, visit www.insurancereforms.nsw.gov.au.