For exempt workers: Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, volunteers under the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987 , and workers injured while working in or around a coal mine:

• >0% WPI, except for 15% WPI for psychiatric and psychological impairment, and 6% binaural hearing loss for hearing loss claims
• Entitlement to pain and suffering payment: 10% WPI for physical injuries, and 15% WPI for psychiatric and psychological injuries
• Entitlement to claim under common law: 15% WPI

All other workers for permanent impairment claims made on and from 19 June 2012: 

• >10% WPI, except for 15% WPI for psychiatric and psychological impairment.
• Entitlement to claim under common law: 15% WPI
• Discounting of prior conditions is tenth of the assessed impairment unless this is at odds with available evidence.

10% WPI for physical injuries (5% for Chapter 3 musculoskeletal impairments)

10% for hearing loss (no threshold for further hearing loss claims if 10% threshold previously breached)

30% WPI for psychiatric impairment — not arising secondary to physical injury

Non-economic loss lump sum payments available for workers with degree of whole person impairment (WPI) from physical injury 5% or more, s 58(2) Return to Work Act 2014 . 

Economic loss lump sum available to workers whose WPI is between 5% and 34%. Seriously injured workers with a WPI of 35% or more cannot receive an economic loss lump sum. They receive income support until retirement age or until otherwise discontinued under the Return to Work Act 2014 . 

Psychiatric disorders are assessed separately from physical injuries. For assessment of psychiatric impairment AMA5 chapter 14 is excluded and replaced by Chapter 16   Impairment Assessment Guidelines 

5% WPI for physical injuries with the exception of loss of part or all of a finger or toe —  s71(1) 

>0% WPI for loss of all or part of a finger or toe —  s71(1)(d) 

10% WPI for psychiatric impairment —  s71(2) 

5% for binaural hearing impairment caused by industrial deafness —  s72A 

Permanent impairment: impairment, or combination of impairments not less than 5% of the whole person –  s70 

If impairment is 5–14% WPI, compensation payable is calculated on a sliding scale. –  s71 

Impairments of 15– 84% WPI attract a benefit equal to the actual percentage given –  s71 

>85% WPI receives maximum entitlement –  s71 

0% (no threshold)

6% threshold for hearing loss (boilermaker’s deafness)

10% WPI

5% binaural hearing loss

At least 1% loss of fingers/toes, loss of taste/smell 

Must qualify for PI to qualify for non-economic loss payment

10% WPI

10% hearing loss

At least 1% Finger/toe, taste/smell

Must qualify for PI to qualify for non-economic loss payment

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) 

• Initial compensation — 10 impairment points (IP)  s69 
• Additional compensation — 5 IPs
• 5 IPs loss of hearing, fingers, toes, taste, or smell

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA)   s24 

• 10% WPI
• 5% binaural hearing loss
• >0% loss of fingers/toes, loss of taste/smell

Must qualify for PI to qualify for non-economic loss payment

MRCA

Yes — apportionment

DRCA

No direct apportioning or discounting

Independence allowance: In most cases, claimant suffered personal injury on or after 1 April 1974 and before 1 April 2002. At least one year after the date of the injury or condition has stabilised

Lump sums: In most cases, claimant suffered personal injury on or after 1 April 2002. At least 2 years after day of the injury or condition stabilised