MORE BENEFITS TO SUPPORT INJURED WOKERS

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello today announced further changes to the state’s workers compensation regulations, which boosts benefits for injured workers to assist in their recovery and return to work.

“These changes form part of a billion dollar reform package announced in August which prioritises the wellbeing and needs of injured workers,” Mr Dominello said.

“This is good news for the thousands of injured workers across NSW.”

Benefits that apply from today include:

• protection of weekly payments while a work capacity decision is under review;
• increased entitlement periods to medical expenses for all workers;
• minimum weekly amount as a safety net for workers with the highest needs;
• medical expenses for life for all workers with high needs;
• hearing aids and prosthesis for life for all workers.

Eligible workers with claims made before the new provisions commence on 5 August 2015 may have further entitlement to medical expenses and weekly benefits.

Changes under the Workers Compensation Amendment Act 2015 are being delivered in a series of phases.

In October, the NSW Government increased lump sum payments for permanent impairment, death and funeral expenses, and extended weekly benefits until 12 months after reaching retirement age.

Further enhancements to the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme in relation to legal costs and return to work arrangements are expected to commence in 2016, following public consultation.

“These reforms deliver more benefits to injured workers with the highest need and deliver savings to premiums for businesses,” Mr Dominello said.