The workers' compensation schemes in five jurisdictions will be amended, and employer premiums increased, under one of the Federal Government's preferred options for ensuring catastrophically injured workers are supported for life.
Comcare has assured Commonwealth agencies and licensees that their premiums won't increase as a result of the ACT leaving the scheme, while the Federal Employment Minister says he hopes to scrap "over generous" workers' comp benefits that make the scheme unviable for entities like the ACT.
Employer wins first stage of cancer compensation dispute; WorkCover Qld explains best way to reduce compensation costs; and WorkSafe ACT targets workers' comp policy breaches.
In this update, OHS Alert examines all the important OHS and workers' comp legislative changes made in the second quarter of 2013. We also recap the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments in each jurisdiction.
ACT employers are likely to pay higher workers' comp levies, under a Government plan to support all 28 recommendations of the recent construction industry inquiry, and to reduce the burden to taxpayers of administering the OHS and workers' comp schemes.
Review of injured workers' leave-accrual rights in NSW confirmed; Compensation policy failures cost ACT employers $260k; ACT Government urged to investigate its own policies in safety probe; and FWBC advisory board appointed.
WorkCover NSW funds harmonisation awareness; WorkSafe Victoria announces fatality probe and new campaigns; WorkSafe ACT announces falling premiums, releases harmonisation guides; and Essential OHS news from around Australia.