- 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.
As stated by 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."
