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Injured Workers Compass Australia

States, territories & Commonwealth

Which workers' compensation system applies to you?

Usually it's the state or territory where you normally work. If you work for the Australian Government, a licensed national employer, at sea, or served in the ADF, a Commonwealth scheme may apply.

See the state fairness scorecard
NSWNew South WalesRegulator: State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)View scheme guide VICVictoriaRegulator: WorkSafe VictoriaView scheme guide QLDQueenslandRegulator: Workers' Compensation Regulator (Office of Industrial Relations)View scheme guide WAWestern AustraliaRegulator: WorkCover WAView scheme guide SASouth AustraliaRegulator: ReturnToWorkSAView scheme guide TASTasmaniaRegulator: WorkSafe TasmaniaView scheme guide ACTAustralian Capital TerritoryRegulator: WorkSafe ACTView scheme guide NTNorthern TerritoryRegulator: NT WorkSafeView scheme guide CommonwealthCommonwealth Schemes (Comcare, Seacare, DVA)Regulator: ComcareView scheme guide

Compare the schemes side by side

Choose a topic to see how each system handles it.

NSWBased on pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE). Payments step down after 13 weeks and are reviewed after 130 weeks. Payments usually end at 260 weeks unless you have more than 20% WPI.
VICGenerally 95% of pre-injury average weekly earnings for the first 13 weeks, then 80% up to 130 weeks. Beyond 130 weeks payments continue only if you have no current work capacity likely to continue indefinitely.
QLDGenerally a percentage of normal weekly earnings, stepping down at 26 weeks, for up to 5 years in total or until a benefit cap is reached.
WABased on pre-injury earnings, with a step-down after 13 weeks for some workers, and limited by a prescribed amount.
SAGenerally paid for up to 2 years (104 weeks) after the injury, with a step-down after 52 weeks. 'Seriously injured workers' (30% WPI or more) may receive payments until retirement age.
TASBased on normal weekly earnings, stepping down after 26 weeks and 78 weeks, and generally ending after 9 years (longer for 30% WPI or more).
ACTBased on pre-incapacity weekly earnings, stepping down after 26 weeks, and generally continuing while you have reduced capacity until retirement age.
NTBased on normal weekly earnings for the first 26 weeks, then a reduced percentage, with caps that depend on your circumstances.
CommonwealthIncapacity payments are based on normal weekly earnings, stepping down over time, and can continue until pension age in some cases.

General information only. Rules change and depend on your circumstances. Check with your regulator or get independent legal, financial or medical advice about your situation.