Which State Has the Best Workers Compensation Scheme in Australia or New Zealand?

In August 2014, Safe Work Australia published an analysis of the key State and Federal based workers compensation schemes for Australia and New Zealand. Most lay people/workers would possibly expect that if you get injured at work in Victoria, New South Wales or Queensland that you would be covered by the same workers compensation scheme. An injured nurse in Victoria should be the same as an injured nurse in New South Wales, right?? However, for those with experience in workers compensation we know this is certainly not the case and the schemes across both Australia and New Zealand vary considerably.

Safe Work Australia’s “Comparison of Workers Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand” report outlines the key differences between all the major workers compensation schemes. Broadly, it outlines the key differences under a number of key headings, including:

·      Agencies responsible for each scheme

·      Key features

·      Summary of coverage and benefits

·      Prescribed time periods for Injury Notification and Claim Submission

·      Prescribed time periods for payments

·      Dispute resolution

·      Remuneration for the purpose of premium calculation

·      Employer excess

·      Uninsured employer provisions

·      Leave while on workers compensation

·      Superannuation and workers compensation

Although its not the most exciting read, for those working in the workers compensation area it is useful to have some background of the major schemes within Australia and New Zealand. It is certainly useful for any new RTW Coordinators working with employers who have to manage injured workers across the business but across multiple workers compensation schemes based on where the worker is injured.