Injured workers and their families could be in line for increased support if new legislation introduced to state parliament becomes enshrined in law.
The Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Bill 2025, introduced by the state government on Tuesday, aims to strengthen the ability of Victoria’s workers compensation scheme to provide fair treatment to claimants.
The bill, which includes recommendations from an independent review into the management of complex workers compensation claims, will afford the minister new powers to publish a code of claimants’ rights to set service standards and obligations on WorkSafe.
Employers will be obligated to ensure return to work (RTW) coordinators complete approved training and are provided with reasonable facilities and assistance required to fulfil their role.
Appointees to WorkSafe’s advisory committees must have lived experience and an independent review of the scheme must be conducted at least every five years, commencing in 2030.
The bill also includes an increase in the weekly pension for dependent children, new lump sum entitlements to recognise the grief and loss experienced by close family members and economic loss suffered by dependents other than a partner or child, and extended entitlements to provisional payments.
Deputy premier and WorkSafe Minister Ben Carroll said the bill demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting injured workers and their families.
“No one should die at work,” Mr Carroll said.
“Families who have lost loved ones at work will receive the support they need—higher pensions for children, new entitlements for grief, and help to heal from the pain and loss they’ve endured.”
