Monday 11 November 2024
Important changes to South Australia's work injury insurance scheme.
Summary of changes:
- Strengthened protections for injured workers.
- Faster entitlement access for workers with dust diseases or terminal illnesse
The Parliament of South Australia recently passed the Return to Work (Employment and Progressive Injuries) Amendment Act 2024, which amends the Return to Work Act 2014 (the Act) with most of the changes expected to come into effect on 1 December 2024.
These changes will foster a more supportive and fairer environment for injured workers and more clarity for employers.
Firstly, the legislation significantly strengthens protections for workers returning from injury by extending an employer’s obligation to provide them with suitable employment. It also addresses financial consequences for employers who do not comply with this. These amendments also cover self-insured employers, labour hire employers and host employers.
Secondly, the legislation makes it easier for workers suffering from dust diseases and/or a terminal illness resulting from a work injury to access entitlements more quickly. It achieves this by more clearly defining when a worker’s condition has ‘stabilised’, at which point they may seek a permanent impairment assessment, and introduces a fair way to calculate their financial support.
There are other changes relating to attendance at medical appointments, recovery and return to work plans and the South Australian Employment Tribunal.
For more information click the link below.