A number of changes are being proposed to workers' compensation arrangements in Queensland that will affect all employers and employees. These changes are being sought by WorkCover due to its deteriorating financial position.
To improve the situation, the WorkCover Board has put forward a number of recommendations to the Minister for Industrial Relations.
- Progressive increases over time in the average premium rate;
- Introducing a common law threshold of 10% or 15% whole person impairment (WPI) while at the same time extending common law coverage to host employers and principle contractors who have a WorkCover policy;
- Increasing statutory lump sums and improving rehabilitation and return to work processes;
- Reducing the step down in weekly benefits between weeks 14 to 26 from 85% of normal weekly earnings to 80% or the federal minimum wage (FMW), and increasing step down benefits between 14 weeks and 5 years from 75% to 80% of normal weekly earnings or the FMW.
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) is currently consulting with industry on these options. To assist, please take a few moments to complete the following survey.
Complete the survey by 4.00pm on Friday 12 March to go in the draw to win a $250 Coles Group & Myer gift voucher.
The results of this survey will be forwarded to the Minister for Industrial Relations and included on the CCIQ website in coming weeks.
CCIQ places upmost importance on your privacy and will not disclose any personal details submitted in this survey.
Further information
Additional information is available in the state government's Workers' Compensation discussion paper (PDF). To contact CCIQ, please email policy@cciq.com.au.
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