Understanding Exempt Workers Under NSW Workers Compensation Law

Who Are “Exempt Workers” and Why It Matters

In New South Wales, most injured workers are subject to the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, including recent legislative reforms introduced through the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2025 and the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2026. These reforms introduce significant changes to parts of the workers compensation scheme, particularly in relation to psychological injury claims, medical treatment entitlements, impairment assessments, and other aspects of claim management.

However, certain categories of workers are classified as “exempt workers.” This includes groups such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, coal miners, and certain volunteers.