COMPARISON OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

BENEFITS

BENEFITS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND

Lump sum payments:

$130,609.00 (less any amount paid in weekly

Total amount payable for weekly benefits and

benefits) for workers with a permanent disability

lump sum up to $157,955 (except for payments

Impairment / non 

for injuries resulting in death). After decision 

economic loss

to accept offer of lump sum, all compensation

ceases

Additional lump sum payments:

  Maximum

A worker sustaining an injury resulting in a

work related impairment (WRI) of 50% or more

is entitled to an additional lump sum of

$157,955. Also entitled to a lump sum for

gratuitous care if the injury results in a WRI of

15% and moderate/total level of dependency for

daily care. Amount payable up to $195,960

  Thresholds

No

No

  Method of

Medically assessed as a percentage of a

Assessed in accordance with the AMA Guide

calculating (assessing

maximum amount payable under Schedule 2

(currently 4th edition); psychiatric and

permanent

(Table of Compensation Payable ) where an 

psychological injuries assessed by a Medical

impairment)

injury by accident results in a permanent loss 

Assessment Tribunal; industrial deafness

of function

injuries by an audiologist

If as a result of assessment, a worker is entitled

to lump sum compensation, the amount of the

lump sum compensation is calculated as per

Schedule 2 of the WorkCover Queensland

Regulation 1997, having regard to the worker's

degree of permanent impairment and the Table

of Injuries

Settlement /

A lump sum redemption, for future loss of weekly

WorkCover's liability to make weekly payments of

Redemption /

wages as a result of an injury, is available,

compensation to a worker may be discharged by

Commutation

subject to the following conditions:

a redemption payment of an amount agreed

  the worker must have a permanent total or 

between WorkCover and the worker. For such a

partial incapacity

redemption payment to be considered,

WorkCover must receive a report from the doctor

  the worker must have been in receipt of weekly

stating that the worker's injury is not stable and

payments for not less than 6 months

stationary for the purposes of assessing

  the worker and employer agree to the 

permanent impairment, and:

redemption and the amount of the lump sum

  the worker has been receiving weekly 

  the worker will automatically waive their 

payments of compensation for at least two 

common law rights, and

years, or

  the Director of the Conciliation and Review 

  the worker moves interstate permanently, or

Directorate is satisfied the worker is aware of 

  the worker stops ordinarily residing in 

the consequences of redeeming their claim.

Australia (Entitlement to compensation ceases 

in this instance).

Heads of Workers' Compensation Authorities  28