Contents
Part I—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................. 1
3............ Application of Act............................................................................. 1
4............ Interpretation...................................................................................... 1
4AA...... Most injuries for members of the Defence Force no
longer covered by this Act 15
4A......... Declaration that ACT a Commonwealth authority.......................... 16
5............ Employees........................................................................................ 16
5A......... Definition of injury........................................................................... 22
5B......... Definition of disease......................................................................... 23
6............ Injury arising out of or in the course of
employment....................... 24
6A......... Injury arising out of or in the course of
employment—extended operation 26
7............ Provisions relating to diseases.......................................................... 27
8............ Normal weekly earnings................................................................... 29
9............ Relevant period................................................................................. 34
10.......... Recovery of damages........................................................................ 35
11.......... Liability of relevant authority.......................................................... 35
12.......... Amounts of compensation............................................................... 35
13.......... Indexation......................................................................................... 35
13A....... Application of Criminal Code.......................................................... 37
Part II—Compensation 38
Division 1—Injuries, property loss or damage, medical
expenses 38
14.......... Compensation for injuries................................................................ 38
15.......... Compensation for loss of or damage to property
used by employee 38
15A....... Most loss or damage to property used by members of
the Defence Force etc. no longer covered by this Act 39
16.......... Compensation in respect of medical expenses etc............................ 39
Division 2—Injuries resulting in death 42
17.......... Compensation for injuries resulting in death.................................... 42
18.......... Compensation in respect of funeral expenses.................................. 43
Division 3—Injuries resulting in incapacity for work 45
19.......... Compensation for injuries resulting in incapacity............................ 45
20.......... Compensation for injuries resulting in incapacity
where employee is in receipt of a superannuation pension 51
21.......... Compensation for injuries resulting in incapacity
where employee is in receipt of a lump sum benefit 52
21A....... Compensation for injuries resulting in incapacity
if employee is in receipt of a superannuation pension and a lump sum benefit....................................................................................... 53
22.......... Compensation where employee is maintained in a
hospital............. 55
23.......... Compensation for incapacity not payable in
certain cases.............. 55
23A....... Repayment of salary, wages or pay, and re‑crediting
of paid leave, where compensation claim successful 56
Division 4—Injuries resulting in impairment 58
24.......... Compensation for injuries resulting in permanent
impairment........ 58
25.......... Interim payment of compensation................................................... 59
26.......... Payment of compensation................................................................ 60
27.......... Compensation for non‑economic loss.............................................. 60
28.......... Approved Guide............................................................................... 61
Division 5—Household and attendant care services 63
29.......... Compensation for household services and attendant
care services.. 63
Division 6—Miscellaneous 65
30.......... Redemption of compensation........................................................... 65
31.......... Recurrent payments after payment of lump sum............................ 66
32.......... Cancelled determinations not to affect certain
payments of compensation 66
33.......... Reduction of compensation in certain cases..................................... 67
Part III—Rehabilitation 69
Division 1—Preliminary 69
34.......... Definitions........................................................................................ 69
Division 2—Approved rehabilitation program providers 70
34A....... How this Part applies to partnerships............................................. 70
34B....... Persons may seek approval as rehabilitation program
providers..... 71
34C....... Applications for initial approval...................................................... 71
34D....... Comcare to establish criteria for approval, or
renewal of approval, of persons as rehabilitation program providers.......................................................................................................... 72
34E........ Comcare to establish operational standards for
rehabilitation program providers 72
34F........ The initial approval decision............................................................ 73
34G....... Duration of initial approval given on application............................. 73
34H....... Comcare may also approve persons as rehabilitation
program providers on its own initiative 74
34J........ Persons may seek renewal of approval as
rehabilitation program providers in certain circumstances 75
34K....... The renewal application................................................................... 75
34L........ The renewal decision........................................................................ 76
34M...... Duration of renewal of approval...................................................... 76
34N....... Further information may be required of applicants.......................... 77
34P........ Initial approval or renewal is subject to
conditions.......................... 77
34Q....... Revocation of approval.................................................................... 78
34R....... Review of decisions.......................................................................... 78
34S........ Approved forms............................................................................... 78
Division 3—Rehabilitation programs 79
35.......... Exempt authorities............................................................................ 79
36.......... Assessment of capability of undertaking
rehabilitation program..... 79
37.......... Provision of rehabilitation programs................................................ 80
38.......... Review of certain determinations by Comcare................................. 82
39.......... Compensation payable in respect of certain
alterations etc............. 83
40.......... Duty to provide suitable employment............................................. 84
41.......... Rehabilitation authorities to comply with
guidelines....................... 85
41A....... Delegation by rehabilitation authority.............................................. 85
Part IV—Liabilities arising apart from this Act 86
42.......... Interpretation.................................................................................... 86
43.......... Certain persons may request cessation of
compensation payments 86
44.......... Action for damages not to lie against
Commonwealth etc. in certain cases 87
45.......... Actions for damages—election by employees................................. 88
46.......... Notice of common law claims against third party............................ 89
47.......... Notice of common law claims against Commonwealth.................... 89
48.......... Compensation not payable where damages recovered..................... 90
49.......... Dependants not claiming compensation........................................... 92
50.......... Common law claims against third parties......................................... 93
51.......... Payment of damages by persons to Comcare................................... 96
52.......... Compensation not payable both under Act and under
award.......... 98
52A....... Comcare’s rights and obligations in respect of
certain action for non‑economic loss 99
Part V—Claims for compensation 102
53.......... Notice of injury or loss of, or damage to,
property....................... 102
54.......... Claims for compensation................................................................ 103
55.......... Survival of claims............................................................................ 103
56.......... Claims may not be made in certain cases........................................ 104
57.......... Power to require medical examination............................................ 104
58.......... Power to request the provision of information.............................. 105
59.......... Certain documents to be supplied on request................................ 106
Part VI—Reconsideration and review of determinations 107
60.......... Interpretation.................................................................................. 107
61.......... Determinations to be notified in writing......................................... 108
62.......... Reconsideration of determinations................................................. 108
63.......... Reviewable decision to be notified in writing................................. 109
64.......... Applications to the Administrative Appeals
Tribunal.................. 109
65.......... Modifications of the Administrative Appeals
Tribunal Act 1975... 110
66.......... Evidence in proceedings before Administrative
Appeals Tribunal 110
67.......... Costs of proceedings before Administrative
Appeals Tribunal..... 111
Part VII—Administration and finance 116
Division 1—Comcare 116
68.......... Establishment................................................................................. 116
69.......... Functions........................................................................................ 116
70.......... Powers............................................................................................ 118
70A....... Comcare may charge for certain services........................................ 118
70B....... Formation and activities of Comcare subsidiaries.......................... 118
71.......... Power to obtain information from Departments and
authorities... 118
72.......... Manner in which claims are to be determined................................ 119
72A....... Duty to assist the Commission and the Seafarers
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority 119
73.......... Directions by Minister................................................................... 120
73A....... Guidelines by Commission............................................................. 120
73B....... Delegation by Comcare................................................................... 121
74.......... Constitution of Comcare................................................................ 121
76.......... The Chief Executive Officer........................................................... 121
79.......... Persons acting as Chief Executive Officer...................................... 122
80.......... Remuneration and allowances......................................................... 123
81.......... Leave of absence............................................................................. 123
83.......... Resignation..................................................................................... 124
84.......... Termination of appointment.......................................................... 124
Division 2—Deputy Chief Executive Officer, staff and
consultants 125
86.......... Deputy Chief Executive Officer..................................................... 125
87.......... Duties of Deputy Chief Executive Officer..................................... 125
88.......... Staff................................................................................................ 125
89.......... Consultants..................................................................................... 126
Division 3—The Commission 127
89A....... Establishment................................................................................. 127
89B....... Functions........................................................................................ 127
89C....... Powers............................................................................................ 127
89D....... Directions by Minister................................................................... 127
89E........ Constitution.................................................................................... 127
89F........ Appointment.................................................................................. 128
89G....... Term of office................................................................................. 129
89H....... Deputies of members...................................................................... 129
89J........ Acting Chairperson......................................................................... 129
89K....... Remuneration and allowances......................................................... 130
89L........ Leave of absence............................................................................. 130
89M...... Disclosure of interests.................................................................... 130
89N....... Resignation..................................................................................... 131
89P........ Termination of appointment.......................................................... 131
89Q....... Meetings......................................................................................... 132
89R....... Delegation by Commission and sub‑delegation.............................. 133
89S........ Annual reports................................................................................ 133
Division 4—Finance 135
90.......... Application of the Commonwealth Authorities
and Companies Act 1997 135
90B....... Payments to Comcare in respect of liabilities under
Part X........... 135
90C....... Source of funds to enable Comcare to meet its
liabilities and other expenses 135
90D....... Appropriation................................................................................ 138
91.......... Money of Comcare......................................................................... 138
92.......... Estimates of receipts and expenditure............................................ 138
93.......... Exemption from taxation................................................................ 139
95.......... Borrowing....................................................................................... 139
Division 4A—Premiums and regulatory contributions 140
96.......... Extended meaning of Commonwealth authority
for purposes of regulatory contributions 140
97.......... Determination of premiums............................................................ 140
97A....... Matters for consideration in determination of
premium................ 140
97B....... Determination of special premiums for non‑economic
loss in respect of injuries suffered after 30 June 1999 and before
1 July 2002..................................................................................... 142
97C....... Estimate of premium for certain Commonwealth
authorities......... 143
97D....... Regulatory contributions................................................................ 144
97E........ Commission may issue guidelines for determination
of premiums and regulatory contributions 144
97F........ Information to be given to Comcare............................................... 145
97G....... Notice of determinations................................................................ 145
97H....... Payment of the premium or regulatory contribution...................... 146
97J........ Review by Comcare of determination of premium or
regulatory contribution 146
97K....... Further review by Commission of outcome of
Comcare’s review. 147
97L........ Refund of premium or regulatory contribution.............................. 147
97M...... Variation of determination of premium or regulatory
contribution 148
97N....... Repayment of premium excess etc................................................. 149
97P........ Penalty for late payment of premium or regulatory
contribution.. 150
Part VIII—Licences to enable Commonwealth authorities and
certain corporations to accept liability for, and/or manage, claims 151
Division 1—Preliminary 151
98A....... Outline of Part................................................................................ 151
99.......... Definitions...................................................................................... 152
100........ Minister may declare a corporation eligible to be
granted a licence under this Part 152
101........ Ministerial directions concerning licences...................................... 152
Division 2—Powers of the Commission in relation to
licences 154
102........ Application for grant of a licence................................................... 154
103........ The Commission’s power to grant licences.................................... 155
104........ Licence decision.............................................................................. 155
104A..... Licence fees..................................................................................... 156
105........ The Commission may vary the scope of a licence or
extend its term 157
106........ Suspension or revocation of licences at the
instance of the Commission 157
107........ Revocation of licence at request of licensee.................................... 157
107A..... Effect of suspension or revocation................................................. 158
Division 3—Authorisation to accept liability in respect
of certain claims 159
108........ Licence can authorise licensee to accept liability............................ 159
108A..... The consequences of a licensee’s authorisation to
accept liability. 159
Division 4—Authorisation to manage claims 162
108B..... Licence can authorise licensee to manage claims............................. 162
108C..... The consequences of a licensee’s authorisation to
manage claims.. 162
Division 5—Conditions of a licence 165
108D..... The Commission may grant licence on conditions......................... 165
Division 6—Miscellaneous 167
108E...... Functions of licensees..................................................................... 167
108F...... Powers of licensee.......................................................................... 167
108G..... Date of effect of certain notices under this Part............................. 168
108H..... Delegation by licensed authority.................................................... 168
Part IX—Miscellaneous 169
109A..... Jurisdiction of courts with respect to
extraterritorial offences....... 169
109........ Determinations to be in writing...................................................... 169
110........ Money paid to relevant authority for benefit of
person................ 169
111........ Provisions applicable on death of beneficiary................................ 170
112........ Assignment, set‑off or attachment of
compensation...................... 171
112A..... Making of compensation payments through employers of
employees paid out of public money 171
112B..... Making of compensation payments through employers of
employees not paid out of public money 173
113........ Recovery of amounts due to relevant authority............................. 173
114........ Recovery of overpayments............................................................ 174
114A..... Notice to Comcare of retirement of employee............................... 174
114B..... Recovery of overpayment to retired employee.............................. 175
114C..... Comcare may write off debt........................................................... 178
114D..... Comcare may waive debt................................................................ 178
115........ Deduction of overpayments of repatriation pensions.................... 179
116........ Employees on compensation leave................................................. 180
117........ Compensation payable to locally engaged overseas
employees..... 181
118........ Double benefits............................................................................... 182
119........ Compensation where State compensation payable........................ 184
120........ Notice of departure from Australia etc........................................... 185
121A..... Confidential commercial information not to be
published.............. 186
122........ Regulations..................................................................................... 187
Part X—Transitional provisions, consequential amendments
and repeals 188
Division 1—Preliminary 188
123........ Interpretation.................................................................................. 188
123A..... Injuries suffered before the commencing day................................. 188
Division 2—Transitional provisions 189
124........ Application of Act to pre‑existing injuries..................................... 189
124A..... Northern Territory to reimburse Comcare for certain
compensation payments and administrative expenses 192
125........ Payments under previous Acts...................................................... 193
126........ Notices, claims etc. under previous Acts....................................... 193
127........ Settlements and determinations under previous Acts.................... 194
128........ Liability under previous Acts......................................................... 195
128A..... Comcare’s liability to be discharged by prescribed
Commonwealth authorities in some cases 195
129........ Application for review and other proceedings under
previous Acts 197
129A..... Reconsideration and review of certain determinations
under 1971 Act.. 197
130........ Money and investments held under 1971 Act............................... 198
Division 3—Special transitional provisions relating to
certain former employees 199
131........ Former employees under 65 who are in receipt of
superannuation benefits and are unable to engage in any work........................................................................................................ 199
132........ Former employees under 65 who are not in receipt
of superannuation benefits and are unable to engage in any work........................................................................................................ 200
132A..... Former employees under 65 who are capable of
engaging in any work.. 201
133........ Minimum benefit payable.............................................................. 202
134........ Reduction of compensation on reaching 65.................................... 203
135........ Former employees 65 and over who are in receipt of
superannuation benefits 203
136........ Former employees 65 and over who are not in
receipt of superannuation benefits 203
137........ Redemption on request by former employee................................. 204
Division 4—Consequential amendments 206
138........ Consequential amendments............................................................ 206
Division 5—Repeals 207
139........ Repeals........................................................................................... 207
Part XI—Operation of this Act in relation to certain
defence‑related injuries and deaths etc. 208
Division 1—Preliminary 208
140........ Simplified outline of this Part......................................................... 208
141........ Definitions...................................................................................... 208
Division 2—Management of defence‑related claims 210
142........ Functions of MRCC....................................................................... 210
143........ Giving copies of defence‑related claims etc.................................... 211
144........ Provisions relating to management of claims etc............................ 211
Division 3—Administrative matters 214
145........ Relevant authority.......................................................................... 214
146........ Rehabilitation authority etc............................................................ 214
147........ References to Comcare etc.............................................................. 214
148........ Rehabilitation programs.................................................................. 215
149........ Directions by Minister................................................................... 216
150........ Guidelines by Commission............................................................. 216
151........ Obtaining information..................................................................... 216
152........ Delegation....................................................................................... 217
153........ Holding money on trust for person under a legal
disability........... 217
154........ Settlements and determinations etc. under the 1912
Act, the 1930 Act or the 1971 Act 217
Division 4—Reconsideration and review 219
155........ Reconsideration and review............................................................ 219
Division 5—Modifications relating to Comcare and Defence
Department for employees who are engaged in defence service 220
156........ Liabilities of Comcare and the Commission with
respect to defence service 220
157........ Application of certain provisions to Defence
Department............ 220
158........ Regulatory contributions by Defence Department........................ 220
159........ Modifications of provisions relating to
contributions.................... 221
Division 6—Appropriation 222
160........ Appropriation................................................................................ 222
Division 7—Annual report 223
161........ Annual report................................................................................. 223
Schedule—Consequential Amendments 224
Notes 225
An Act relating to the rehabilitation of employees of the
Commonwealth and certain corporations and to workers’ compensation for those
employees and certain other persons, and for related purposes
Part I—Preliminary
1
Short title [see
Note 1]
This Act may be cited as the Safety,
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.
2
Commencement [see
Note 1]
(1) Sections 1 and 2 commence on the day
on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) The remaining provisions of this Act
commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.
3
Application of Act
Subject to section 117, this Act
extends to all places outside Australia, including the external Territories.
4
Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary
intention appears:
ACT enactment means an enactment as defined
by section 3 of the ACT Self‑Government Act.
action for non‑economic loss means any
action (whether or not it involves the formal institution of a proceeding) to
recover an amount for damages for non‑economic loss sustained by an
employee as a result of an injury suffered by that employee:
(a) that is taken by the employee
against the employer, whether it is the Commonwealth, a Commonwealth authority
or a licensed corporation, or against another employee; and
(b) that follows an election made by
the first‑mentioned employee under subsection 45(1).
ACT Self‑Government Act means the Australian
Capital Territory (Self‑Government) Act 1988.
administering authority means a Commonwealth
authority that, immediately before the repeal of Part VIII, was an
administering authority under that Part.
adoption means adoption under a law of a
State or Territory or of a foreign country.
aggravation includes acceleration or
recurrence.
ailment means any physical or mental ailment,
disorder, defect or morbid condition (whether of sudden onset or gradual
development).
approved Guide means:
(a) the document, prepared by Comcare
in accordance with section 28 under the title “Guide to the Assessment of
the Degree of Permanent Impairment”, that has been approved by the Minister and
is for the time being in force; and
(b) if an instrument varying the
document has been approved by the Minister—that document as so varied.
approved program provider means a person or
body approved under section 34F or 34H as a rehabilitation program
provider and includes a person or body so approved whose approval is renewed
under section 34L.
attendant care services, in relation to an
employee, means services (other than household services, medical or surgical
services or nursing care) that are required for the essential and regular
personal care of the employee.
Chairperson means the Chairperson of the
Commission.
Chief Executive Officer means the Chief
Executive Officer appointed under section 74, and includes a person who is
acting as the Chief Executive Officer.
claim means a claim under Part V.
claimant, in relation to a time after the
death of a claimant, has the meaning given in subsection (11).
Comcare means the body corporate established
by section 68.
Comcare subsidiary means an incorporated
company formed by Comcare.
Commission means the Safety, Rehabilitation
and Compensation Commission established by section 89A.
Commissioner means a member of the Commission
other than the Chief Executive Officer.
Commonwealth, in relation to persons employed
by a Commonwealth authority, has the additional meaning given in subsection
5(7).
Commonwealth authority means:
(a) a body corporate that is
incorporated for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth, other than a
body declared by the Minister, by legislative instrument, to be a body
corporate to which this Act does not apply; or
(b) a body corporate that is
incorporated for a public purpose by a law of a Territory (other than an ACT
enactment or a law of the Northern Territory) and is declared by the Minister,
by legislative instrument, to be a body corporate to which this Act applies; or
(c) a body corporate:
(i) that is incorporated
under a law of the Commonwealth or a law in force in a State or Territory;
(ii) in which:
(A) the Commonwealth
has a controlling or substantial interest; or
(B) a
Territory (other than the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern
Territory) or a body corporate referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) has a
controlling interest; and
(iii) that is declared by
the Minister, by legislative instrument, to be a body corporate to which this
Act applies; or
(d) a
body corporate:
(i) in which a body
corporate declared under paragraph (c) has a controlling interest; and
(ii) that is declared by
the Minister, by legislative instrument, to be a body corporate to which this
Act applies; or
(e) if a declaration is in force under
section 4A, the Australian Capital Territory.
Note: For the purposes of the provisions relating to
regulatory contributions under Division 4A of Part VII, Commonwealth
authority has an extended meaning—see section 96.
compensation leave means any period during
which an employee is absent from his or her employment due to an incapacity for
work resulting from an injury in respect of which compensation is payable under
section 19 or 22.
controlling interest, in relation to a body
corporate, means an interest in the body corporate that enables the person
holding the interest to:
(a) control the composition of the
board of directors of the body corporate; or
(b) cast, or control the casting of,
more than one‑half of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a
general meeting of the body corporate; or
(c) control more than one‑half
of the issued share capital of the body corporate (excluding any part of that
issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified
amount in a distribution of either profits or capital).
corporation, in Part VIII, means:
(a) a foreign corporation within the
meaning of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution; or
(b) a body corporate that is, for the
purposes of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution, a financial corporation
formed within the limits of the Commonwealth; or
(c) a body corporate that is, for the
purposes of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution, a trading corporation formed
within the limits of the Commonwealth; or
(d) a body corporate that is
incorporated in a Territory;
but does not include a Commonwealth authority.
CTPA means the Military Rehabilitation and
Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004.
damages includes any amount paid under a
compromise or settlement of a claim for damages, whether or not legal
proceedings have been instituted, but does not include an amount paid in
respect of costs incurred in connection with legal proceedings.
dependant, in relation to a deceased
employee, means:
(a) the spouse, father, mother, step‑father,
step‑mother, father‑in‑law, mother‑in‑law,
grandfather, grandmother, son, daughter, step‑son, step‑daughter,
grandson, grand‑daughter, brother, sister, half‑brother or half‑sister
of the employee; or
(b) a person in relation to whom the
employee stood in the position of a parent or who stood in the position of a
parent to the employee;
being a person who was wholly or partly dependent on the
employee at the date of the employee’s death.
dependent means dependent for economic
support.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer means the
Deputy Chief Executive Officer under section 86.
disease has the meaning given by section 5B.
eligible corporation, in Part VIII,
means a corporation in respect of which a declaration is in force under section 100.
employee has the meaning given in section 5,
and also applies to persons 65 years of age or older.
Entity means:
(a) an Agency, within the meaning of
the Public Service Act 1999, that is not a Commonwealth authority; or
(b) a Parliamentary Department within
the meaning of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999; or
(c) a person, body, organisation or
group of persons prescribed for this paragraph.
excluded injury means an injury that arose
out of, or in the course of, or was incidental to:
(a) State banking not extending beyond
the limits of the State concerned; or
(b) State insurance not extending
beyond the limits of the State concerned.
exempt authority means an Entity or a
Commonwealth authority declared by the Minister under section 35 to be an
exempt authority.
household services, in relation to an
employee, means services of a domestic nature (including cooking, house
cleaning, laundry and gardening services) that are required for the proper
running and maintenance of the employee’s household.
impairment me
