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ARTICLE · 26 OCTOBER 2015

What you need to know about these workers compensation amendments in Queensland

Cooper Grace Ward
Cooper Grace Ward
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There are key changes which will see some immediate impact on the workers' compensation scheme and management of claims.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Tony Park
Tony Park
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On 17 September 2015 the Queensland Parliament passed a Bill to amend the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (WCRA). The amendment saw significant changes to the WCRA and took effect from 9 October 2015.

There are five key changes to the legislation, which will see some immediate impact on the workers' compensation scheme and management of claims.

  1. Entitlement to damages

The amendment of section 237 has resulted in the removal of the Degree of Permanent Impairment threshold of greater than 5%, which was introduced from 15 October 2013 for injuries sustained on or after 31 January 2015.

This means that, for injuries occurring between 15 October 2013 and 30 January 2015, there must still be greater than 5% Degree of Permanent Impairment to have an entitlement to seek damages.

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