Workers' compensation
PWSS is committed to providing all parliamentarians and MOP(S) Act employees with a safe and healthy workplace and minimising the risk of workplace injuries.
This commitment extends to providing assistance to MOP(S) Act employees experiencing impairment or incapacity arising out of, or during, employment through the timely provision of early intervention, support, rehabilitation assessments, medical examinations and rehabilitation programs under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act).
As a MOP(S) Act employee, if you have a work-related physical or psychological injury, you may be eligible to receive compensation under the Comcare scheme, in accordance with the SRC Act.
Comcare administers and determines workers’ compensation claims for MOP(S) Act employees.
Claiming compensation
You can claim compensation if you believe your injury or illness occurred at work or was significantly contributed to, or aggravated by, your work. This includes situations where you were away from work, but undertaking work-related business, or travelling for work.
For information for parliamentarians who wish to lodge a claim under the Parliamentary Injury Compensation Scheme page.
Benefits provided under workers’ compensation
If your claim is accepted, you may be eligible for a range of benefits and entitlements including:
- medical and treatment expenses
- income support (time off work)
- death and/or funeral benefits
- permanent impairment
- return to work rehabilitation services
- attendant care and household services
- aids, appliances and modifications
- travel costs.
Making a compensation claim
Due to the unique nature of the MOP(S) Act employee framework, contact the WHS team on 1800 747 977 (option 3) or email whs@pwss.gov.au before making a workers' compensation claim.
Report your injury
If you have sustained a work-related injury, you must lodge an incident report through the self-service portal Skytrust or call 1300 418 288 and inform your manager as soon as possible. Alternatively you can contact us at whs@pwss.gov.au or call 1800 747 977 (option 3).
Injuries should be reported whether you intend to make a workers’ compensation claim or not.
Seek treatment and obtain a medical certificate
Seek any necessary treatment for your injury or illness as soon as possible.
A medical certificate indicating a precise diagnosis and the cause of your injury and how it is related to your work must be included in your claim.
Submit a workers’ compensation claim form
Complete and submit your claim form online through Comcare’s online forms portal.
Alternatively submit your claim form to whs@pwss.gov.au.
A MOP(S) Case Manager will facilitate the completion of the employer section of the form and submit the completed form to Comcare for processing and determination.
If your claim is accepted, you must comply with your responsibilities under the SRC Act. Failure to do so may result in the cessation of related benefits.
Contact us at whs@pwss.gov.au or call 1800 747 977 (option 3) if you have any questions regarding workers’ compensation.
Volunteers
Parliamentarians may engage individuals to perform tasks in a voluntary or unpaid capacity. These individuals may be work experience students, members of the community or family members of the parliamentarian.
Volunteers work in a capacity for the parliamentarian rather than the Commonwealth and are not covered by the Commonwealth’s workers’ compensation scheme (Comcare) or insurance fund (Comcover) in the event of an injury or workplace incident. The parliamentarian is responsible and liable for work health and safety matters relating to the volunteer, not the Commonwealth. This responsibility includes meeting the cost of any work health and safety related equipment or services, such as ergonomic workstation assessments and the provision of any specialised equipment.
Parliamentarians engaging an individual on a voluntary basis in their office are encouraged to take out their own personal insurance cover and to consider any security and confidentiality factors relating to their engagement.