ARTICLE · 15 JULY 2015

Proposed changes to SRC Act will affect Comcare scheme benefits and structure

Sparke Helmore Lawyers

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The proposed changes to the SRC Act will substantially alter the compensation benefits and structure of the scheme.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Kristina Miller

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In March 2015, the Commonwealth Government introduced the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendments (Improving the Comcare Scheme) Bill 2015 (the Bill), which seeks to significantly affect the benefits and structure of the Comcare scheme.

The proposed changes will considerably broaden the scope of the current s 5A reasonable administrative action exclusion to encompass injuries suffered as a result of reasonable management action generally (including organisational or corporate restructures and operational directions).

The changes will also mean that conditions that come about because of underlying diseases will only be compensable where there is a significant contribution by employment.

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