Substantially increased weekly benefits are available for those who have been seriously injured at work in NSW, according to the state’s Minister for Finance and Services Greg Pearce.
The weekly benefit for the most seriously injured workers – those who had been assessed to have an impairment of more than 30 per cent – will increase to a minimum of $736 per week, he said.
“940 of the most seriously injured workers being supported by WorkCover will be guaranteed a rate which is around 70 per cent more than the previous statutory rate, an increase from $432 to $736 per week, following the Government’s reform of the scheme,” he said.
The increase in payments is the next stage in the rollout of reforms to the State’s workers compensation system, according to Minister Pearce, who said workers who make a claim after 1 October will receive benefits which more closely relate to workers actual earnings prior to injury.
“In the final phase from 1 January 2013, workers who made a claim prior to 1 October will be transitioned to the new legislative requirements,” he said.