The WA Government has released a draft bill to replace “archaic” state worker’s compensation laws that date back 40 years.

The proposed legislation would increase the cap on medical and health expenses, extend the point at which income compensation payments step down from 13 to 26 weeks and include a prohibition on employers attending medical appointments of injured workers.

The bill implements lifetime care and support arrangements for catastrophically injured workers, in line with a commitment between the Federal and state and territory governments.

A modernised licensing framework for the approval and regulation of workers’ compensation insurers is also included.

Industrial Relations Minister Stephen Dawson says the draft bill is “fair, workable and easier to understand”, following the previous 1981 legislation.

“Election commitments delivered in this bill will see injured workers receiving an appropriate level of financial support for medical expenses and loss of income,” he said.

WorkCover WA released a report on existing arrangements in 2014 and made 171 recommendations. The Government made priority amendments in 2018 and last year.

The draft bill released for consultation last week addresses the balance of the report recommendations, election commitments and a small number of issues that have arisen since 2014.

An information sheet says the change in the income step-down timeframe to 26 weeks would result in a 1.63% increase in the average premium rate, based on preliminary costings, while an increase between 0.63% and 1.4% would result from the higher cap.

WorkCover WA is holding information sessions from August 23 to September 2 and will accept submissions on the draft bill until November 10.

More information is available here.