WA set to overhaul workers’ compensation
WA Commerce Minister Troy Buswell has announced a review of the state’s workers’ compensation regime with the aim of creating “modern and responsive” legislation.
“While the workers’ compensation scheme itself is healthy and delivers good outcomes for employers and injured workers, the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act is widely regarded as a cumbersome and complex piece of legislation,” he said last week.
The Act was first passed in 1981 and has grown from 155 pages containing 175 sections to 419 pages and 375 sections. It was last changed in 2005.
Mr Buswell says the review will consider a range of issues raised by stakeholders, including compensation entitlements for workers aged over 65.
WorkCover WA will conduct the review process over the next year and consult widely with insurers, employers, workers and service-providers like brokers.
NIBA CEO Noel Pettersen says the WA division of the association has already organised to meet senior advisers to discuss the review.
“While the workers’ compensation scheme itself is healthy and delivers good outcomes for employers and injured workers, the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act is widely regarded as a cumbersome and complex piece of legislation,” he said last week.
The Act was first passed in 1981 and has grown from 155 pages containing 175 sections to 419 pages and 375 sections. It was last changed in 2005.
Mr Buswell says the review will consider a range of issues raised by stakeholders, including compensation entitlements for workers aged over 65.
WorkCover WA will conduct the review process over the next year and consult widely with insurers, employers, workers and service-providers like brokers.
NIBA CEO Noel Pettersen says the WA division of the association has already organised to meet senior advisers to discuss the review.