Earn
SA workers comp ‘double standard’ sees fireys struggle
There have been calls for an improvement to the compensation scheme on offer for injured volunteer firefighters in South Australia, and apply improvements more broadly to the state’s workforce.

SA workers comp ‘double standard’ sees fireys struggle
There have been calls for an improvement to the compensation scheme on offer for injured volunteer firefighters in South Australia, and apply improvements more broadly to the state’s workforce.

The call comes in response to media reports in South Australia that the government had agreed to bolster the compensation scheme for injured volunteer firefighters to be in line with metropolitan paid counterparts.
The South Australian Law Society has flagged that volunteer firefighters – who comprise the majority of Country Fire Service members – whose injuries don’t reach the whole person impairment assessment of 30 per cent are presently only eligible for a maximum of two years of weekly payments to cover loss of income.
They are also only eligible for three years of medical expenses.
According to the society, for a number of injured fire fighters, the “extremely high” threshold of 30 per cent whole person impairment (WPI) “means serious injuries, sustained while protecting lives and defending properties that force them out of work for more than two years and require medical treatment for their injuries for far beyond three years, are essentially on their own after the cut-off periods”.
Citing media reports labelling a “double standard” and the “injustice”, the law society has said there are flaws more broadly in the state’s current workers compensation regime.
“The limitations of the scheme that apply to volunteer firefighters apply to most South Australian workers,” it outlined.
As a result, the law society has said the biggest victims of the Return to Work scheme “are those who suffer significant work injuries who have not reached the onerous 30 per cent WPI threshold to receive ongoing maintenance, but will not be able to successfully return to work before their entitlements are cut”.
Discussion is needed about how the Return to Work scheme could be reformed to improve outcomes for injured workers more generally, so that “splinter” schemes are not necessary, a statement explained.
About the author

About the author


Salary
Australia’s rich get richer while poor bear the brunt of the economic downturn
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen Australia’s 31 billionaires increase their fortunes, while Australia’s poorest could take up to a decade to recover from the economic downturn. ...Read more

Salary
PM implored to introduce ‘AviationKeeper’ to prevent further job losses
The aviation industry is calling on the government for additional support, as one of Australia’s hardest-hit industries continues to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Read more

Salary
Why employees could be forced to get a COVID-19 vaccination
Employees are being warned that they may need to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine or face possible termination, a lawyer has explained. ...Read more

Salary
50,000 Aussies back at work: ABS
Australia has added 50,000 new jobs for the month of December, with the unemployment rate falling from 6.8 per cent in November to 6.6 per cent, official stats show. ...Read more

Salary
Economists predict a further drop in unemployment
Economists are predicting further falls in the unemployment rate largely led by Victoria as it emerged from an extended lockdown, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Casual workers could lose $1k under new reforms
The opposition has claimed that the Morrison government’s plan to amend penalty rates could cost casual employees up to $1,100. ...Read more

Salary
Job vacancies surpass pre-COVID levels
The Australian economy is continuing to show signs of improvement, with job vacancies skyrocketing over the last quarter, official figures have revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Unions take Qantas to High Court over JobKeeper ‘misuse’
Aussie unions are taking their fight with Australia’s largest airline to the High Court following claims Qantas misused the JobKeeper payment to subsidise overtime payments, essentially robbing wor...Read more

Salary
Australia’s rich get richer while poor bear the brunt of the economic downturn
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen Australia’s 31 billionaires increase their fortunes, while Australia’s poorest could take up to a decade to recover from the economic downturn. ...Read more

Salary
PM implored to introduce ‘AviationKeeper’ to prevent further job losses
The aviation industry is calling on the government for additional support, as one of Australia’s hardest-hit industries continues to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Read more

Salary
Why employees could be forced to get a COVID-19 vaccination
Employees are being warned that they may need to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine or face possible termination, a lawyer has explained. ...Read more

Salary
50,000 Aussies back at work: ABS
Australia has added 50,000 new jobs for the month of December, with the unemployment rate falling from 6.8 per cent in November to 6.6 per cent, official stats show. ...Read more

Salary
Economists predict a further drop in unemployment
Economists are predicting further falls in the unemployment rate largely led by Victoria as it emerged from an extended lockdown, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Casual workers could lose $1k under new reforms
The opposition has claimed that the Morrison government’s plan to amend penalty rates could cost casual employees up to $1,100. ...Read more

Salary
Job vacancies surpass pre-COVID levels
The Australian economy is continuing to show signs of improvement, with job vacancies skyrocketing over the last quarter, official figures have revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Unions take Qantas to High Court over JobKeeper ‘misuse’
Aussie unions are taking their fight with Australia’s largest airline to the High Court following claims Qantas misused the JobKeeper payment to subsidise overtime payments, essentially robbing wor...Read more