Workers' Compensation @ Murdoch University

1. Purpose of the Worker's Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981

To make provision for the compensation of workers who sustain a disability through the course of their employment;
To promote the rehabilitation of those workers with the view to restoring them to the fullest capacity for gainful employment of which they are capable; and
To promote safety measures in and in respect of employment aimed at preventing or minimising occurrences of disabilities.

2. When are you entitled to claim workers compensation?

You are entitled to claim worker's compensation if:

You have a work related injury or disease and
You need medical treatment and/ or
You cannot work for a period of time due to subsequent disability

Worker's compensation covers you for:

Reasonable medical expenses
Reasonable vocational expenses
Compensation for loss of wages (limits apply)

The current prescribed amount for worker's compensation payments can be obtained from:
WorkCover WA's Infoline Telephone: 9388 5555.

3. Who can make a claim?

If you are employed on a full time, part time, or casual bass and are injured at work, you may be entitled to claim worker's compensation.

4. What to do if you've been injured at work.

After receiving first aid for a work related illness or injury, the first thing you must do is to tell your employer/ supervisor.

If medical treatment is required, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The University has a Health Service for your convenience and can be contacted on:

(9360) 2664 at Murdoch University.

Otherwise you may select a medical practice of your own choice.

The medical practitioner will complete a "first medical certificate" which you should send to the Injury Management Officer, (c/- Office of Human Resources) as soon as possible. A worker's compensation pack will then be sent to you which contains all the forms and full instructions on how to lodge a claim for workers' compensation.

The insurance company, GIO, then has 14 days to advise you in writing if your claim has been accepted, denied or pended (i.e. the claim requires further investigation before a final decision can be made).

If the claim is accepted, the University will commence payments of compensation and continue normal payments for the period in which you are not fit for work. Any medical certificates/ bills can be sent to the Injury Management Officer (c/- Office of Human Resources) via internal mail so they can forward them onto GIO.

If your claim has been denied or pended, you may apply to WorkCover WA's Conciliation and Review Directorate for review and mediation on the matter.

You may apply for workers' compensation for any work-related injury or illness anywhere in the world subject to the standard provisions of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 1981, and also while on OSP.

5. What is covered under worker's compensation?

You are covered for :

Personal injury by accident arising out of or in the course of employment or while acting on the employers instructions
A disabling industrial disease
A disease contracted in the course of employment or the recurrence or aggravation of a pre existing disease where the employment contributed to a significant degree

The exceptions where you are not covered are: