Update on Workers Compensation in NSW

The O’Farrell Government’s 2012 amendments to the NSW Workers Compensation scheme affects all workers and is a substantive reduction of workers’ entitlements in the state.

These changes fall into five broad categories:

•    Capping of entitlements after two and a half years: All compensation payments will cease after a period of two and half years regardless of how serious the injury is, and all medical expenses will be cut between 1 and 2½  years after injury.

•    Reduction of entitlements: Income compensation payments will be reduced after only 13 weeks regardless of the seriousness of the injury.

•    Removal of entitlements: There will be no longer be any lump sum payments for pain and suffering. Also journey claims, once a guaranteed mechanism of keeping you covered while travelling to and from work will only apply in very limited circumstances. Worst of all no payments will be made to your loved ones if you die in a workplace accident.

•    Retrospectivity: Existing claims will have these changes applied to them retrospectivly.

•    Worker Pays Costs: Injured workers may now be required to pay their own costs whether their claim is successful or not. This will encourage insurance companies to deny payments to an injured worker.

These changes are not necessary. Rather the changes are another part of this Government’s anti-worker agenda. The TWU is supporting the Unions NSW campaign against these changes and you can find out more at: www.nswforall.org.au