New laws introduced to overhaul workers compensation in Western Australia

The Legislative Council has passed a 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 in Western Australia and is the culmination of an extensive review and consultation process.

Recommendations from WorkCover WA's 2014 legislative review report have been considered, repealing the older 1981 Act with a modernised statute that provides clarity and certainty for stakeholders is included.

The new Act will deliver on increasing 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 helps to provide 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.

WA Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said, “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."

The target commencement date of the new Act is 1 July 2024 when supporting regulations and administration changes are finalised.