Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

A Summary of Workers
Compensation in NSW
Major changes were made to NSW workers’ compensation laws, which took
effect from January 2002. The two main pieces of legislation covering Workers
Compensation are:
Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998. (As
amended in 2001; new provisions apply from 1st Jan 2002)
Workers Compensation Act 1987.
Unions played a key role in ensuring the laws were changed to make the
system fairer, with workers’ wellbeing the priority. Unions recognise workrelated
injuries are a major concern for all workers, because of their effects on
employees’ health and finances.
Workers compensation laws have a stronger focus on helping injured workers
recover and return to work as soon as possible. The changed laws include injuries
that were not previously covered, thanks to unions negotiating successfully
with the government to have the list of injuries extended.
What is Workers Compensation?
Workers Compensation is an insurance scheme taken out by all employers,
which covers all of their workers (and deemed workers) in the event of a workrelated
injury, accident or illness.
The law states all employers must have a current workers compensation policy.
Unions can inspect these policies and also ensure that employers are paying the
correct insurance.
Workers compensation provides injured workers with:
• Weekly payments when there is loss of income
• Payment of medical, hospital and other expenses (including travel to and
from treatment and rehabilitation expenses associated with return to work
or retraining for another job)
• Lump sums if the injury causes a permanent loss or impairment and, for
more significant losses, associated pain and suffering
BACK TO CONTENTS
Safety Matters A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives
SECTION THREE
RAIL
TRAM AND BUS
3
A Summary of Workers Compensation in NSW
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