Is Now the Time to Introduce a National Workers’ Compensation Scheme?
Snapshot
- With the rising cost of workers’ compensation premiums reaching unprecedented levels and state schemes underperforming, the debate around introducing a national workers’ compensation scheme has once again resurfaced as a priority for the Federal Government.
- Australia’s patchwork of eleven different workers’ compensation schemes has created a deeply unequal, unfair system, leaving employees and employers alike at a significant disadvantage to those insured under the Comcare scheme.
- Implementing a best-in-class national workers’ compensation scheme would be a pivotal step towards addressing the inequalities that currently exist and leading a transformative change, that offers clear benefits to both employees and employers.
With the rising cost of workers’ compensation premiums reaching unprecedented levels and state schemes underperforming, the debate around introducing a national workers’ compensation scheme has once again resurfaced as a priority for the Federal Government.
Currently, there are up to 11 different workers’ compensation schemes operating across Australia, each marked by inequality and unfairness. Workers’ compensation coverage varies between each jurisdiction, with constitutional responsibility primarily resting with State and Territory Governments. This has led to a proliferation of inter-jurisdictional inconsistencies relating to:
- Eligibility for workers’ compensation
- The range and level of payments
- Access to common law damages
- Premium setting principles
- Injury management arrangements
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
This paper explores the case for change and discusses how the introduction of a national workers’ compensation scheme could streamline administrative processes, reduce costs for employers, and ensure equitable treatment for all employees, regardless of their location. That, along with self-insurance schemes, represents a significant step towards modernising and unifying Australia’s approach to workers’ compensation.
Download the paper below to learn why employers and their employees need a national workers’ compensation scheme.
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