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.
Proposed changes to Commonwealth safety and workers' comp laws will drive up premiums for single-state employers, increase red tape and reduce worker protections, a Senate Committee has been told - but it recommends passing the amendments.
NSW's workers' comp regulations will be amended immediately to ensure amputees and some other injured workers have access to medical aids and benefits until retirement age, State Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet has announced.
Victoria's average workers' comp premium rate will be cut on 1 July, with early payers receiving further significant discounts. In Queensland, WorkCover has revealed that miners will be among those who benefit the most from its recent decision to slash the average premium rate to the lowest in the country.
The NSW Government surprised employers with further workers' comp premium cuts in its budget yesterday, but the Greens and unions say WorkCover's surplus should be used to support amputees and others whose benefits were "stripped" by the 2012 scheme overhaul.
Seven Victorian employers have been fined a total of nearly $200,000 for safety breaches, while WorkSafe is reminding employers that new workers' compensation laws - and the regulator's new name - take effect on 1 July.
