Table 4.7: Definition of work — journeys and breaks

  NSW Vic Qld WA SA Tas NT ACT C’wealth Comcare C’wealth Seacare C’wealth DVA New Zealand 
Journeys to and from work 

Yes, for:

police officers, paramedics, firefighters, bush firefighters, volunteers, under the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987 workers employed in or about a coal mine, people with a dust disease claim under the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 .

For all other workers with injuries received on or after 19 June 2012 there must be a real and substantial connection between employment and the accident or incident out of which the injury arose —  s10 and  Schedule 6 Part 19H, Clause 18, 1987 Act.

No —  s46 (2)(b),  Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013. Yes, some restrictions —  s35 ,  Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. No —  s19(2) ,  Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981. Limited to where there is a real and substantial connection between the employment and the accident out of which the injury arises —  s7(8)(b) ,  Return to Work Act 2014. No, some exceptions —  s25(6) ,  Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. No, some exceptions —  s4   Return to Work Act 1986. Yes —  s36 ,  Workers Compensation Act 1951. No, some exceptions —  s6(1c) , Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. Yes —  s9(2)(e) ,  Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992. 

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA)

Yes —  s27 ; exceptions —  s35 

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

Yes — Note that changes to the then SRCA effective 13 April 2007 have amended  S 6 , however as MRCA now covers journeys for ADF members on/after 1 July 2004 any journey claims will come under the old provisions.

Yes, some restrictions —  s28(1)(c) ,  Accident Compensation Act 2001. 
Work-related travel Yes — s9A of the 1987 ActYes, some restrictions —  s46 (1)(b)Yes —  s34 Yes —  s19(1) Yes —  s7(8)(a) Yes —  s25(6) Yes —  s4 Yes —  s36 Yes —  s6(1)(d) Yes —  s9(2)(e) Yes — MRCA  s27 , exceptions  s35 ; DRCA  s6 Yes —  s28(1)(a) 
Breaks — onsite Yes —  s11 , 1987 ActYes —  s46 Yes —  s34(1)(c) YesYes, if the break is authorised —  s7(5)(b) Yes —  s25(6) Yes —  s4 No referenceYes —  s6(1)(b) Yes —  s9(2)(b) Yes — MRCA  s27 , exceptions  s35 ; DRCA  s6 Yes —  s28(1)(b) 
Breaks — offsite Yes —  s11 , 1987 ActYes —  s46 Yes —  s34(1)(c) No reference in the Act. Coverage depends on factual circumstances or common law.NoNo, some exceptions —  s25(6) 

Yes —  s4 

Some exceptions – injuries from MVA.

No referenceYes — ordinary recesses  s6(1)(b) Yes —  s9(2)(b) Yes — MRCA  s27 , exceptions  s35 ; DRCA  s6 Yes, some restrictions