Elise Archer,Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs
Tasmanian businesses will benefit from another reduction to the Asbestos Compensation Scheme levy for 2021/22, with the rate reducing from 3 per cent to 2.5 per cent.
This is the third time since Tasmania's Asbestos Compensation Scheme began on 31 October 2011 that the rate of the asbestos levy has reduced, and will mean a reduction in costs to businesses of around $1,200,000 in the 2021/2022 financial year, without risking the viability of the scheme.
The levy is established under the Asbestos-Related Diseases (Occupational Exposure) Compensation Act 2011.
The Act imposes a levy on workers compensation premiums, including those paid by licensed insurers, self insurers and State Service Agencies. The levy is charged as a percentage of premiums payable.
Money raised through the levy is paid into the Asbestos Compensation Fund, which ensures that the Asbestos Compensation Scheme is self-funded.
The aim of the Scheme is to provide Tasmanian workers and their families living with asbestos-related diseases access to compensation to assist them during a most difficult period in their lives.
The Scheme is non-adversarial and provides no-fault and timely compensation to eligible workers and family members of deceased workers.
The Scheme provides for the payment of lump sum compensation, and certain other expenses, for workers suffering from an asbestos-related disease contracted during the course of their employment.
Since commencement, 187 claims have been received and the Scheme has both raised and paid out just over $49 million for claims from workers and family members.
Claim numbers are expected to remain fairly static over the next five years, with 13 new claims projected for 2021/22.
