Browsing: Workers' compensation premium/levy news | Page 7

In an encouraging sign for Comcare-covered agencies, the Federal Government has predicted, in its 2015-16 budget, that Comcare's average premium rate will fall by nearly 12 per cent over the next three years.

• WA announces record-low WorkCover premiums;
  
• GP trial to speed up RTW process;
  
• Sun safety doesn't end with autumn, says WorkCover Qld; and
  
• NSW issues drowning alert.

The Victorian Government has confirmed that it is unlikely to adopt the harmonised WHS laws in their current form, and has vowed to restore "the cooperative environment previously created between WorkSafe, employers and unions".

South Australia's workers' comp regulator has wiped out its $1.132 billion unfunded liability, and has set a record-low average premium rate for 2015-16.

The workers' compensation schemes in five jurisdictions will be amended, and employer premiums increased, under one of the Federal Government's preferred options for ensuring catastrophically injured workers are supported for life.

NSW workers' comp premiums have plummeted by an average of 17 per cent over the last two years, but injured workers have paid for these cuts, with thousands going without medical treatment or being forced onto Centrelink benefits, according to a union-commissioned Macquarie University study.

Comcare has assured Commonwealth agencies and licensees that their premiums won't increase as a result of the ACT leaving the scheme, while the Federal Employment Minister says he hopes to scrap "over generous" workers' comp benefits that make the scheme unviable for entities like the ACT.

The Federal Government has introduced an SRC Amendment Bill to enable Comcare to collect "exit contributions" from authorities that leave the scheme, after the ACT revealed plans to develop a workers' comp system that covers its public sector employees.

• 457-visa investigation prompts broad workers' comp warning;
  
• Dangerous goods breaches cost employer $90k; and
  
• New judge appointed to Dust Diseases Tribunal.

South Australian employers have been promised a "big reduction" in workers' comp insurance premiums in 2015-16, with the introduction of WorkCover SA's new name - ReturnToWorkSA.