Legislative Amendments

New workers compensation legislation

The new Act to modernise WA’s workers compensation laws passed through the Parliament on 11 October 2023. The new Act is the culmination of an extensive consultation process with key stakeholder groups and the Western Australian public. The new Act incorporates recommendations from WorkCover WA's Review of the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981t and will also implement lifetime care and support arrangements for catastrophically injured workers, delivering on a commitment between the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments.

The target commencement date for the new Act is 1 July 2024. In preparation for commencement, WorkCover WA will develop and consult on new regulations, administrative instruments and other supporting infrastructure.

PTSD and cancer presumptions for firefighters

Amendments to the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Regulations 1982 established a rebuttable presumption of work-related injury for post-traumatic stress disorder contracted by ambulance workers, firefighters and Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) communications systems officers.

Amendments to the Regulations also added 8 cancers (malignant mesothelioma, cervical, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, penile, skin and thyroid cancer) to the list of 12 specified cancers suffered by firefighters which are presumptively recognised.