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      • a. Awards
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  • Ch 4: Court Practice & Procedure
    • 1. Open Justice
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    • 3. Evidence
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      • A. Adjournments
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    • 5. Civil Procedure >
      • A. Abridgements
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      • D. Determinations otherwise than by oral hearing
      • E. Discovery
      • F. Hearings by alternative means
      • G. Security for costs
      • H. Service of documents
      • I. Stay of proceedings, judgments, orders and other decisions
      • J. Timetabling
      • K. Trials by judge alone
  • Ch 5: Further Resources
  • -
  • Last updated: 15 May 2020 (cases); 21 June 2020 (legislation)
  • Home
  • About the Authors
  • Ch 1: Overview
  • Ch 2: Constitution
  • Ch 3: Substantive Law
    • 1. Aged Care
    • 2. Commercial >
      • A. Bankruptcy & Insolvency
      • b. Contract
      • c. Competition & Consumer
      • d. Corporations & Associations
      • e. Transactions
    • 3. Criminal >
      • a. Bail
      • b. Corrections Management
      • c. New Crimes / Infringements
      • d. Sentencing
      • e. Serious & Sex Offenders
      • f. Visitation
      • g. Enforcement
    • 4. Customs & Trade >
      • a. Customs
      • b. Retail Trade
      • c. Gambling & Casinos
    • 5. Defence
    • 6. Emergencies
    • 7. Equity
    • 8. Family >
      • a. Children
      • b. Parenting Orders
      • c. Family Violence
      • d. Marriage
    • 9. Financial >
      • a. Appropriations & financial assistance
      • b. Audits
      • c. Economic Support / Stimulus
      • d. Social Security
      • e. Superannuation
      • f. Taxation
      • g. Insurance
    • 10. Government >
      • a. Obligations
      • b. Government administration
      • c. Public service
      • d. Education
      • e. Transport
      • f. Utilities & Resources
    • 11. Guardianship, Administration & Vulnerable People
    • 12. Human Rights / Civil Liberties
    • 13. Industrial >
      • a. Awards
      • b. Enterprise Agreements
      • c. Stand-downs, redundancies & terminations
      • d. Jobkeeper
      • e. Remuneration & wages
      • f. Leave entitlements
      • g. Protected action
      • h. Workers Comp & Employee safety
    • 14. Maritime
    • 15. Migration
    • 16. Public Security
    • 17. Planning & Environment
    • 18. Property >
      • a. Leases
      • b. Caveats
      • c. Mortgages
      • d. Housing Assistance
      • e. Ownership
    • 19. Public Health >
      • a. Biosecurity / Public Health
      • b. Health & Insurance
      • c. Medicine & Midwifery
      • d. Medicines, Vaccines & Therapeutic Goods
    • 20. Quarantine
    • 21. Regulatory / Professional Discipline
    • 22. Tort
    • 23. Wills & Estates
  • Ch 4: Court Practice & Procedure
    • 1. Open Justice
    • 2. Legislation, Rules and Practice Notes
    • 3. Evidence
    • 4. Criminal Procedure >
      • A. Adjournments
      • B. Hearings by alternative means
      • C. Crimes Mental Impairment
      • D. Juries and trials by judge alone
    • 5. Civil Procedure >
      • A. Abridgements
      • B. Adjournments
      • C. Amendments
      • D. Determinations otherwise than by oral hearing
      • E. Discovery
      • F. Hearings by alternative means
      • G. Security for costs
      • H. Service of documents
      • I. Stay of proceedings, judgments, orders and other decisions
      • J. Timetabling
      • K. Trials by judge alone
  • Ch 5: Further Resources
  • -
  • Last updated: 15 May 2020 (cases); 21 June 2020 (legislation)
  covid19-law.com.au
13. Industrial

​H.  Workers Compensation & Employee Safety

The health risks associated with COVID-19 have led to legislation on employee safety, particularly for employees in the rail industry. Legislation has also included amendments to workplace compensation schemes.

i.  Legislation

Victoria: 
Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic) amended by the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (Vic).

Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) amended by the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (Vic).

New South Wales:
Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (NSW) amended by the COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (NSW).

Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) amended by:
  • COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (NSW); and
  • COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures—Miscellaneous) Act 2020 (NSW):  Item [1] of the amendments establishes presumptive rights to compensation under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) in respect of COVID-19 for workers in certain prescribed employment that involves an elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19. Item [2] of the proposed amendments inserts consequential provisions of a savings or transitional nature.

Made under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW):
  • Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 amended by the Workers Compensation Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2020

Queensland:
Made under the Public Health Act 2005 (Qld):​
  • Protecting Public Officials and Workers (Spitting, Coughing and Sneezing) Direction (No. 3)

Tasmania:
Made under the Rail Safety National Law (Tasmania) (Tas):
  • Rail Safety National Law (Tasmania) Declaration

South Australia:
Made under the Rail Safety National Law (SA):
  • Notice of Exemption (p 762)

Western Australia:
Made under the Rail Safety National Law (WA) Act 2015 (WA):
  • Declaration under Section 203 (p 1077)

Australian Capital Territory:
Made under the Rail Safety National Law (ACT) and the Rail Safety National Law (ACT) Act 2014 (ACT):
  • Rail Safety National Law (ACT) (Exemption) Notice 2020 (No 1)

Made under Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 (ACT): 
  • Motor Accident Injuries (COVID-19) Guidelines 2020 
​
Northern Territory:
Work Health Administration Act 2011 (NT) amended by the Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (NT).
 
ii.  Case law

​This is an area of substantive law that is very likely to result in case law. As of the last update, we are not aware of any relevant decision of a superior court in this area.

iii.  Further resources

SafeWork Australia, COVID-19 Information for Workplaces

WorkSafe Victoria, Information for injured workers about your claim and COVID-19

NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority, Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Queensland WorkCover, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs

​
WorkSafe Tasmania, COVID-19 workers compensation

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Image credit:  Fusion Medical Animation​
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