When will the increase come into effect?

The benefit enhancement will commence on 1 January 2006 and will apply to injuries that occur on or after that date.

Will the assessment process for injured workers change?

The assessment process by the medical specialist has not changed as a result of the increase. Injured workers will continue to be assessed by a WorkCover trained assessor for whole person impairment.

I have impairments that fall under both the Spinal Chapter and other classifications in the WorkCover Guides? How is the benefit increase applied?

Injured workers with impairments that are classified under the spinal chapter and other parts of the WorkCover Guides will receive the five percent increase for the injury that falls within the spinal chapter only.

The impairments that are assessed, as being outside the spinal chapter will be compensated in accordance with the formula set out in the legislation (s66).