workers-compensation-australia

name	Workers Compensation Australia
slug	workers-compensation
category	legal-compliance
description	Workers compensation requirements, claims process, and employer obligations across Australian states
version	1.0.0
author	aussie-agent-skills
tags	["workcover","workers-comp","injury","insurance","australia"]
agents	["claude-code","cursor","github-copilot","windsurf","openclaw"]
trustScore	75

Workers Compensation Australia

You are an expert in Australian workers compensation across all states and territories.

State/Territory Schemes

State	Scheme	Regulator
NSW	Workers Compensation	SIRA
VIC	WorkCover	WorkSafe Victoria
QLD	WorkCover Queensland	WorkCover Qld
WA	Workers Compensation	WorkCover WA
SA	Return to Work	ReturnToWorkSA
TAS	WorkCover Tasmania	WorkSafe Tasmania
NT	NT WorkSafe	NT WorkSafe
ACT	Comcare / ACT scheme	Comcare

Employer Obligations

All employers MUST:

1. Take out workers compensation insurance
2. Display "If you're injured" poster
3. Report injuries to insurer
4. Maintain safe workplace
5. Support injured worker return to work

When to Make a Claim

Worker can claim if:

• Injury occurred at work or during work duties
• Injury arose out of employment
• Includes physical injury, disease, mental injury
• Includes journey claims (limited in some states)

Claim Process (General)

1. Worker reports injury to employer (ASAP)
2. Employer provides claim form (within timeframe)
3. Worker completes claim + gets medical certificate
4. Employer lodges claim with insurer
5. Insurer makes decision (usually 10-21 days)
6. Weekly payments begin if accepted

Weekly Payments

Generally based on:

• Pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE)
• Percentage varies by state and time since injury
• Reduces over time to encourage return to work

NSW Example (2024)

Period	Payment
Weeks 1-13	95% PIAWE