Commonwealth Employees' Compensation Act 1954

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COMMONWEALTH EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION.

No. 15 of 1954.

An Act to amend the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1930-1951, and for other purposes.

[Assented to 20th April, 1954.]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1954.

(2.) The Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1930-1951 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1930-1954.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent but the amendments of the Principal Act effected by sections four, five, six and seven of this Act shall be deemed to have taken effect on the first day of January, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-four.

Injury while travelling to or from employment, &c.

3. Section nine a of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-section (1.) the words “medical, surgical or hospital treatment” and inserting in their stead the words “medical treatment”.

Medical benefits.

4. Section eleven of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (2.) the words “One hundred and fifty pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred pounds”.

Maximum compensation.

5. Section thirteen of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from sub-section (1.) the words “One thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand three hundred and fifty pounds”.

First Schedule.

6. The First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from clause (i) of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1.) the words “One thousand five hundred pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand three hundred and fifty pounds”;

(b) by omitting from clause (i) of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1.) the words “Seventy-five pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “One hundred pounds”;

(c) by omitting from clause (iii) of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1.) the words “Fifty pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Sixty pounds”;

(d) by omitting from sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1.) the words “Six pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Eight pounds fifteen shillings”;

(e) by omitting from clause (i) of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1.) the words “One pound fifteen shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “Two pounds five shillings”;

(f) by omitting from clause (ii) of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1.) the words “Fifteen shillings” and inserting in their stead the words “One pound”;

(g) by omitting from clause (i) of sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1.) the words “Six pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Eight pounds fifteen shillings”;

(h) by omitting from clause (ii) of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1a.) the words “Two hundred pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Four hundred pounds”;

(i) by omitting from clause (iii) of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1a.) the words “Four pounds ten shillings” and “Six pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Six pounds ten shillings” and “Eight pounds fifteen shillings”, respectively;

(j) by omitting from the proviso to paragraph (5.) the words “expenses of burial” and inserting in their stead the words “expenses of the employee’s funeral”; and

(k) by omitting from paragraph (10a.) the words “One thousand five hundred pounds” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand pounds”.

Third Schedule.

7. The Third Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following Schedule inserted in its stead:—

THE THIRD SCHEDULE. Section 12.

Compensation for Specified Injuries.

Nature of Injury.	Amount Payable.
	£	s.	d.
Loss of both eyes.....................................................	2,350	0	0
Loss of an only useful eye, the other being blind or absent..........................	2,350	0	0
Loss of one eye, with serious diminution of the sight of the other.....................	1,762	10	0
Loss of one eye......................................................	940	0	0
Loss of hearing......................................................	1,645	0	0
Complete deafness of one ear.............................................	470	0	0
Loss of both hands....................................................	2,350	0	0
Loss of right arm or greater part of right arm...................................	1,880	0	0
Loss of left arm or greater part of left arm....................................	1,692	0	0
Loss of lower part of right arm, right hand or five fingers of right hand.................	1,645	0	0
Loss of lower part of left arm, left hand or five fingers of left hand....................	1,480	10	0
Loss of right thumb...................................................	705	0	0
Loss of left thumb....................................................	634	10	0
Loss of right forefinger.................................................	470	0	0
Loss of left forefinger..................................................	423	0	0
Loss of right middle finger..............................................	376	0	0
Loss of left middle finger...............................................	352	10	0
Loss of right ring finger................................................	329	0	0
Loss of left ring finger.................................................	305	10	0
Loss of right little finger................................................	305	10	0
Loss of left little finger.................................................	282	0	0
Loss of total movement of joint of right thumb.................................	329	0	0
Loss of total movement of joint of left thumb..................................	305	10	0
Loss of distal phalanx or joint of right thumb..................................	376	0	0
Loss of distal phalanx or joint of left thumb...................................	352	10	0
Loss, of portion of terminal segment of right thumb involving one-third of its flexor surface without loss of distal phalanx or joint	329	0	0
Loss of portion of terminal segment of left thumb involving one-third of its flexor surface without loss of distal phalanx or joint	305	10	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of right forefinger...............................	282	0	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of left forefinger................................	258	10	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of right middle or ring finger........................	258	10	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of left middle or ring finger.........................	235	0	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of right little finger..............................	235	0	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of left little finger...............................	211	10	0
Loss of distal phalanx or joint of right forefinger................................	235	0	0
Loss of distal phalanx or joint of left forefinger.................................	211	10	0
Loss of distal phalanx or joint of other finger of right hand.........................	188	0	0
Loss of distal phalanx or joint of other finger of left hand..........................	169	0	0
Loss of hand and foot..................................................	2,350	0	0
Loss of both feet.....................................................	2,350	0	0
Loss of leg above knee.................................................	1,762	10	0
Loss of leg below knee.................................................	1,527	10	0
Loss of foot........................................................	1,410	0	0
Loss of great toe.....................................................	470	0	0
Loss of any other toe..................................................	188	0	0
Loss of two phalanges or joints of any other toe.................................	150	0	0
Loss of phalanx or joint of great toe........................................	235	0	0
Loss of phalanx or joint of any other toe.....................................	141	0	0

Adjustment of weekly payments, &c., under prior Acts.

8.—(1.) Where, at the first day of January, One thousand nine hundred and, fifty-four, a person was receiving weekly payments under the Commonwealth Workmen’s Compensation Act 1912 or was receiving, or was entitled to receive, weekly payments in accordance with the First Schedule to the Principal Act, he is, from and including that date, entitled to receive weekly payments in accordance with the Principal Act as amended by this Act.

(2.) Where, before the first day of January, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-four, an employee sustained an injury or contracted a disease in respect of which weekly payments in accordance with the First Schedule to the Principal Act would have been payable at that date if he had been incapacitated for work at that date, and he was not, at that date, so incapacitated, but after that date he became or becomes incapacitated for work as a result of the injury or disease, weekly payments in respect of that incapacity shall be in accordance with the Principal Act as amended by this Act.

(3.) Where, after the first day of January, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-four, death resulted or results from an injury or a disease which was sustained or contracted before that date and in respect of which compensation was payable under the Principal Act, compensation shall be paid in respect of that death in accordance with the Principal Act as amended by this Act.

(4.) Where, at the first day of January, One. thousand nine hundred and fifty-four, an employee was receiving, or was entitled to receive, weekly payments in accordance with the First Schedule to the Principal Act in respect of an injury or injuries sustained or a disease contracted before that date, the provisions of section thirteen of the Principal Act as amended by this Act apply in relation to the injury, injuries or disease.

(5.) Where, before the first day of January, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-four, an employee sustained an injury or contracted a disease—

(a) which, after that date, resulted or results in an injury specified in the Third Schedule to the Principal Act as amended by this Act; and

(b) in respect of which compensation would have been payable under the Principal Act if the injury referred to in the last preceding paragraph had resulted before that date,

the amount of compensation payable in respect of that injury is the amount specified in the second column of the Third Schedule to the Principal Act as amended by this Act opposite the reference to the injury in the first column.

Overview

The Commonwealth Employees' Compensation Act 1954, enacted in 1954, was introduced to amend the Commonwealth Employees' Compensation Act 1930-1951, addressing the need to update and enhance the compensation framework for Commonwealth employees. The Act was enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, and its policy objective is to provide updated compensation provisions for Commonwealth employees who sustain injuries or contract diseases in the course of their employment. This Act ensures that the compensation amounts and benefits are adjusted to reflect the changes in economic conditions and the need for equitable treatment of employees who have suffered work-related injuries or illnesses. The Act not only modifies specific sections of the Principal Act but also introduces a new Third Schedule detailing the compensation amounts for specified injuries, ensuring that employees receive appropriate and timely compensation based on the severity of their injuries. Additionally, the Act includes provisions for the adjustment of weekly payments for employees who were receiving compensation under prior Acts as of January 1, 1954, ensuring continuity and fairness in the compensation process.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1954 amends the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1930-1951 to update and improve compensation provisions for Commonwealth employees who are injured or contract diseases in the course of their employment. This Act applies to Commonwealth employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, irrespective of the nature of their employment, including public service employees, contractors, and other persons employed by the Commonwealth. The Act extends to all territories under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, including external territories, ensuring that employees receive consistent and fair compensation regardless of their location. The Act sets out specific amendments to the Principal Act, including changes to the types of medical treatments covered, increases in compensation limits, and adjustments to the amounts payable for specified injuries. Notably, the Act removes certain exclusions and expands coverage to provide broader protections to employees. The Act may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which could provide additional regulations or specific guidelines for particular circumstances or industries.

Key Provisions

The Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1954 amends the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1930-1951, referred to as the Principal Act, to update and revise certain provisions. Section 3 of the Act modifies section nine a of the Principal Act to specify that medical treatment, rather than medical, surgical or hospital treatment, is available to employees injured while travelling to or from employment. Section 4 updates section eleven of the Principal Act, increasing the limit of medical benefits payable to employees from £150 to £200. The maximum compensation amount payable under section thirteen of the Principal Act is also increased from £1,750 to £2,350, as per section 5. The First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended in various clauses to reflect these changes, as well as other minor adjustments to compensation amounts for specified injuries. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved, including the Commonwealth and its employees. The Commonwealth is required to provide medical treatment and benefits to employees who are injured while travelling to or from employment, as well as increasing the maximum compensation amount payable. The employees, on the other hand, must notify the Commonwealth of any injuries sustained while travelling to or from employment, and comply with any requirements or conditions imposed by the Commonwealth in relation to the provision of medical treatment and benefits. Breach of the provisions of the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences, although the specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not outlined in the Act itself. It is likely that failure to comply with the obligations imposed by the Act, such as providing medical treatment or benefits to injured employees, could result in legal action being taken against the Commonwealth or the individual responsible. Similarly, failure to notify the Commonwealth of an injury sustained while travelling to or from employment could result in the employee being ineligible for compensation or benefits. The maximum penalties for any offences under the Act are not stated, and would likely depend on the specific nature of the breach. In summary, the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1954 amends the Principal Act to update and revise certain provisions relating to medical treatment, benefits, and compensation for employees injured while travelling to or from employment. The Act imposes obligations on both the Commonwealth and its employees, and failure to comply with these obligations could result in legal action being taken. The specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach are not outlined in the Act itself, and would likely depend on the specific nature of the breach.

Area of Law: Employee Benefits & Compensation
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Commencement Provisions; Offence Provisions; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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