Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations (Amendment)

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Statutory Rules 1986 No 346

Issued by the authority of the Minister of State for Social Security.

Subject: Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971.

Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations (Amendment).

The purpose of the Statutory Rules is to increase, from 13 December 1986, the rates and amounts of compensation benefits payable under the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971.

Regulation 1 of the Statutory Rules amends Regulation 27 of the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations to prescribe a rate of $21.90 a week for the purposes of sub-section 43(5) of the Principal Act. Accordingly, the rate of weekly payment in respect of each dependent child of a deceased employee is increased from $21.20 to $21.90 a week.

Regulation 2 of the Statutory Rules amends Regulation 28 of the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations to prescribe a rate of $30.50 a week for the purpose of sub-section 48(1) of the Principal Act. Accordingly, the rate of attendant’s allowance payable when an injured employee requires the constant help of another person is increased from $29.60 a week to $30.50 a week.

Regulation 3 of the Statutory Rules amends Schedule 4 of the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations to prescribe new amounts of benefits under Regulation 26 which will apply the prescribed amounts for the purposes of various provisions of the Principal Act. Schedule 4 will operate to increase compensation benefits as follows:

• Sub-section 37(3): the general upper limit for the amount of compensation payable for alterations to buildings or vehicles, or repair or replacement of certain aids and applicances, used by an incapacitated employee is increased from $1,490 to $1,540.

• Sub-sections 39(1) and 39(3): the amount of compensation payable in respect of total loss of sight resulting from an injury is increased from $52.980 to $54,620. An increase in this amount has the effect of increasing the amount of compensation payable for other specified losses resulting from an injury in the same proportion. The compensation entitlement for these losses is expressed as a percentage of the maximum figure (eg loss of a leg below the knee attracts a payment of 65% of the amount payable for total loss of sight).


• Sub-section 39(7); The amount of compensation for an injury that results in partial loss of sight in both eyes is increased from $26,510 to $27,330.

• Sub-section 40(1); the amount of compensation payable for an injury that results in loss of the capacity to engage in sexual intercourse is increased from $26,510 to $27,330.

• Sub-section 41(1) and (6); the maximum amount of compensation payable in respect of an injury that results in severe and permanent facial disfigurement is increased from $26,510 to $27,330.

• Sub-sections 42(1) and (2); compensation payable in respect of an injury that results in total and permanent loss of the sense of taste or smell is increased from $5,300 to $5,460.

• Paragraphs 43(3)(a) and (4)(a); the maximum amount of compensation payable to dependants in respect of an injury to an employee that results in his or her death is increased from $52,980 to $54,620.

• Paragraph 43(7)(b); the minimum total amount of compensation payable in respect of each dependent child of a deceased employee is increased from $2,120 to $2,190.

• Sub-section 44(1); the maximum amount of compensation payable in respect of funeral expenses incurred in respect of a deceased employee is increased from $1,370 to $1,410.

• Paragraph 45(2)(a); sub-section 45(3); sub-section 45(4);

- paragraph 45(2)(a): the basic weekly payment to an employee in respect of a period of total incapacity for work resulting from an injury is increased from $170.20 to $175.50.

- sub-section 45(3): the weekly allowance for a dependent spouse during such a period of total incapacity is increased from $44.60 to $46.00

- sub-section 45(4): the weekly allowance for each dependent child during such a period of total incapacity is increased from $21.20 to $21.90.

• Sub-paragraph 46(2)(a)(i): the maximum weekly amount of compensation payable to an employee in respect of a period of partial incapacity for work resulting from an injury is increased from $170.20 to $175.50.

 

Regulation 4 of the Statutory Rules expresses the date of effect of these amendments to be 13 December 1986.

Paragraph 4(a) applies the increased rates and amounts of weekly compensation payable under the Act in respect of any period commencing after 12 December 1986.

Paragraph 4(b) applies the increased lump sum amounts of compensation payable under the Act in respect of an injury, a loss specified, or an event, that occurs after 12 December 1986.

Overview

The Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1986 No 346 were enacted by the authority of the Minister of State for Social Security to amend the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971. These Statutory Rules aim to increase the rates and amounts of compensation benefits payable to Commonwealth government employees and their families, effective from 13 December 1986. The amendments address the need to adjust compensation benefits in line with inflation and changing circumstances to ensure that employees and their families continue to receive adequate support in the event of injury or death. The policy objective is to provide fair and updated compensation to those affected by workplace injuries or fatalities, reflecting the evolving economic landscape.

Scope and Application

The Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971 provides for the payment of compensation to Commonwealth government employees who are injured or incapacitated as a result of their employment. The Act applies to Commonwealth government employees, their dependants, and the Commonwealth government itself. The Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1986 No 346 increase the rates and amounts of compensation benefits payable under the Act. These amendments apply to injuries or losses occurring after 12 December 1986, and include increases to the rates of weekly payments for dependent children, attendant's allowance, compensation for total loss of sight, loss of capacity to engage in sexual intercourse, severe and permanent facial disfigurement, total and permanent loss of the sense of taste or smell, and funeral expenses, among others. The amendments also increase the maximum amount of compensation payable to dependants in respect of an injury to an employee that results in their death. The Regulations may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1986 No 346, issued under the authority of the Minister of State for Social Security, primarily focus on adjusting the rates and amounts of compensation benefits payable under the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971. The key provisions of these Statutory Rules are outlined in Regulations 1, 2, and 3, which amend Regulations 27, 28, and Schedule 4 respectively of the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Regulations. Regulation 1 increases the weekly payment for each dependent child of a deceased employee from $21.20 to $21.90. Regulation 2 raises the attendant’s allowance from $29.60 to $30.50 for employees who require constant help due to injury. Regulation 3 modifies Schedule 4 to increase various compensation benefits, including the upper limit for alterations to buildings or vehicles, compensation for total loss of sight, and other specified losses resulting from an injury. The effective date of these amendments is 13 December 1986, as stated in Regulation 4. The Statutory Rules impose specific obligations on the parties governed by the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971. For instance, the amendments necessitate that employers and relevant authorities adjust the compensation payments to align with the new rates specified in the Regulations. Employers are required to ensure that employees or their dependents receive the increased weekly payments and allowances as per the updated rates. Authorities responsible for administering compensation must also update their records and systems to reflect the new compensation rates, ensuring accurate and timely disbursement of benefits to eligible claimants. Furthermore, these Regulations require that all claims made after 12 December 1986 be processed under the new compensation rates. Breach of the obligations set out in the Statutory Rules may result in various consequences, although the Explanatory Statement does not explicitly outline specific penalties. Generally, under the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971, non-compliance with compensation regulations can lead to legal action, where the court may order the defaulting party to comply with the requirements or pay compensation. The maximum penalties for such breaches, however, are not detailed within the provided text. It is important for employers and authorities to adhere to the updated compensation rates to avoid potential legal repercussions and ensure the fair treatment of employees and their dependents.

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Employee Benefits Law
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Regulation
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Definitions & Interpretation
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Compensation Rates
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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.