Seamen's Compensation Act 1954

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SEAMEN’S COMPENSATION.

No. 16 of 1954.

An Act to amend the Seamen’s Compensation Act 1911-1953, 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 Seamen’s Compensation Act 1954.

(2.) The Seamen’s Compensation Act 1911-1953 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Seamen’s Compensation Act 1911-1954.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Medical benefits.

3. Section five a of the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “One hundred and fifty pounds” (wherever occurring) and inserting in their stead the words “Two hundred pounds”.

Maximum compensation.

4. Section five d 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,

5. 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 “Seventy-five pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand three hundred and fifty pounds” and “One hundred pounds”, respectively;

(b) 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”;

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

(d) 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”;

(e) 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”;

(f) 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”;

(g) by omitting from clause (ii) of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (2.) the words “Two hundred pounds” and inserting in their stead the words “Four hundred pounds”;

(h) by omitting from clause (iii) of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (2.) 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; and

(i) by omitting from paragraph (13.) the words “,not exceeding Two pounds,”.

Third Schedule.

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 The Third Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following Schedule inserted in its stead:—

THIRD SCHEDULE. Section 5B.

Compensation foe 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

Nature of Injury.	Amount Payable.
	£	s.	d.
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 under Principal Act.

7.—(1.) Where, at the date of commencement of this Act, a person is receiving, or is 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 date of commencement of this Act, a seaman 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 but for the fact that he was not then incapacitated for work, but after that date he 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 date of commencement of this Act, death 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 date of commencement of this Act, a seaman is receiving, or is 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 five d of the Principal Act as amended by this Act apply in relation to the injury, injuries or disease.

(5.) Where, before the date of commencement of this Act, a seaman sustained an injury or contracted a disease—

(a) which, after that date, 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 Seamen's Compensation Act 1954 was enacted to amend the Seamen's Compensation Act 1911-1953, addressing gaps and updating compensation provisions for seamen. This Act was assented to on 20th April, 1954, by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. It primarily adjusts the monetary compensation for various injuries and medical benefits for seamen, as well as the maximum compensation payable, ensuring that the compensation reflects contemporary economic conditions and the severity of injuries. The policy objective is to provide fair and adequate compensation to seamen who suffer injuries or diseases in the course of their employment, thereby offering them financial support and security during periods of incapacity or in the event of death.

Scope and Application

The Seamen's Compensation Act 1954 applies to individuals who are or were seamen, as well as to their dependents, and it provides for compensation in cases of injury or death arising out of or in the course of employment at sea. The Act amends the Seamen's Compensation Act 1911-1953, and it encompasses both Commonwealth and state jurisdictions within Australia, thereby extending its reach to all seamen employed on vessels registered in Australia or on foreign vessels when the injury or death occurs within Australian waters. The Act adjusts compensation rates and provides for new specified injuries, ensuring that the compensation provided is fair and reflects current economic conditions. Notably, the Act does not exclude any particular category of seaman or type of injury from its purview, but rather provides a comprehensive framework for compensation. The Act also includes provisions for the adjustment of weekly payments to align with the new compensation rates, ensuring that those already receiving benefits are not disadvantaged by the amendments.

Key Provisions

The Seamen’s Compensation Act 1954 amends the Seamen’s Compensation Act 1911-1953 (referred to as the Principal Act) in several key ways. Firstly, Section 3 increases the medical benefits from £150 to £200. Secondly, Section 4 raises the maximum compensation amount from £1,750 to £2,350. The First Schedule of the Principal Act is amended in multiple clauses to reflect these changes and others, with various monetary figures adjusted accordingly. Most notably, Section 5 amends the Third Schedule, replacing it entirely with a new table of specified injuries and the corresponding compensation amounts payable. Under this Act, employers are obligated to adhere to the updated compensation rates and schedules. They must ensure that any seamen who have sustained injuries or contracted diseases prior to the Act's commencement are entitled to receive weekly payments in accordance with the amended Principal Act. This includes situations where a seaman becomes incapacitated for work after the Act's commencement due to a pre-existing injury or disease. Employers are also required to provide compensation in cases where death results from injuries or diseases sustained before the Act's commencement, in accordance with the updated provisions. Violations of the Seamen’s Compensation Act 1954 may result in legal consequences. Employers found to be in breach of their obligations under the Act could face civil penalties, including fines. The exact penalties are not specified within the text, but they may vary based on the severity and intent of the breach. Additionally, criminal charges could potentially be pursued in cases of willful or negligent disregard of the Act's provisions, although specific criminal penalties are not detailed in the provided sections.

Area of Law: Workers Compensation Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Commencement Provisions; Definitions & Interpretation; Repeal & Amendment; Compensation Provisions; Adjustment of Weekly Payments

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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