ARTICLE · 17 AUGUST 2015

NSW Govt announces $1 billion reform package to NSW workers compensation scheme

Sparke Helmore Lawyers

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The reforms will increase worker benefits, reward employers with good safety records, and reform the scheme's structure.

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The NSW Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Dominic Perrottet, announced a $1 billion insurance reform package on 4 August 2015, following previous indications that the Government would be making further changes to the workers' compensation scheme.

The reform package aims to increase worker benefits (particularly for those with the highest needs), reward and encourage employers that have good safety records and systems, and introduce a simpler, more transparent structure for the Scheme's operation and regulation. The changes will involve an agency overhaul. From a work health and safety (WHS) perspective, the current regulator (WorkCover NSW) looks set to become "SafeWork NSW". The Government has not yet announced any changes to the agency's roles and responsibilities.

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