WorkCover Information

Workcover weekly payments will vary depending on when the injury occurred and when the claim was made.

Level of Pre-injury Average Weekly Earnings (PIAWE)
This means the average weekly earnings during the twelve months before the injury. It is calculated at ordinary time rate of pay, and does not include penalty rates, overtime or allowances.

Notional Earnings
Notional earnings are either:

Your current earnings or weekly earnings that the WorkCover Authority believes you could be earning in suitable employment.

The Victorian WorkCover Authority takes into account  the worker's current earnings to determining their income.

When notional earnings are applied after 13 weeks, compensation paid is the difference between 60% of pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE) and 60% of notional earnings.

Where notional earnings are applied to workers with a 'serious injury', the compensation paid is the difference between 90% of pre-injury average weekly earnings and 90% of notional earnings.

Serious Injury
'Serious injury' only applies to injuries before November 12, 1997. A serious injury is one which involves an impairment of 30% or more to the whole body. The assessment must be in accordance with the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (second edition). No account can be taken of any psychological injury which arises as a consequence of a physical injury. Primary psychological injury can still be considered.

Current Work Capacity
A current work capacity is considered if you are not able to return to your pre-injury employment but would be able to return to work in suitable employment. Establishing suitable employment takes into account the nature of your injury, the job requirements, your age, education and vocational skills and other factors .

No Current Work Capacity
No current work capacity is considered when you are not able to return to work either in pre-injury employment or in any  suitable employment.

Claims for injuries lodged before November 12, 1997  
Up to 104 weeks, payments are:

• 90% (up to a legislated maximum) if you have a 'serious' injury; or
• 70% (up to a legislated maximum) if you have 'no current work capacity'; or
• 60% (up to a legislated maximum) if you have 'a current work capacity'.

Payments after 104 weeks of weekly payments :

• 90% if you have a serious injury; or
• 70% if you have no current work capacity and are likely to continue indefinitely to have no current work capacity.

After 104 weeks if you have a current work capacity you will only be paid  if you :

• work at least 15 hours per week.
• earning at least $104 per week.
• to continue indefinitely to be incapable of undertaking other employment .

Weekly compensation payments would be calculated at the difference between 60% of PIAWE and 60% of notional earnings.

Claims for injuries on or after November 12, 1997

• Weekly payments for the first 13 weeks , are at 95% of Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings (up to a legislated maximum). If you have returned to work on reduced hours this will be reduced by any current weekly earnings.
• Weekly payments between  13 and 104 weeks, payments will be either
  75% (up to a legislated maximum) if you have 'no current work capacity or
  60% (up to a legislated maximum) if you have a 'current work capacity'.
  Weekly payments after 104 weeks where compensation for lost income is paid are:
  75% if you have no current capacity for work and that is likely to continue indefinitely.
• 60% if you have a current work capacity and working at least 15 hours per week and earning at least $132 per week and likely to continue indefinitely be incapable of any other employment.

IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT WORK CAPACITY AND DO NOT WORK YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE  WORKCOVER PAYMENTS WEEKLY.