6.1.5.2 Weekly pensions
For the majority of weekly pension claims, the deceased worker’s PIAWE is indexed:
- using average weekly earnings (AWE Average Weekly Earnings) for the previous December quarter (annual percentage change)
- on 1 July each year.
However, when the death occurred more than one year after the date of injury the PIAWE is indexed:
- using average weekly earnings (AWE) as at the 15th day of the month (the relevant month) preceding the month in which the anniversary falls
- on the first anniversary of the date of injury and each subsequent anniversary.
Note: Dependent claims before 1 July 2006
Except where the date of death is more than one year after the date of injury, weekly pension claims registered before 1 July 2006 were indexed on the anniversary of the date of death.
The PIAWE rate was indexed by using the percentage change for the quarter in which the anniversary fell.
From 1 July 2006, the weekly pension is indexed:
- using average weekly earnings (AWE) for the previous December quarter (annual percentage change)
- on 1 July each year.
See: Indexation table - pre-injury average weekly earnings
Indexation rates
On 5 April 2010 a number of legislative changes commenced.
The cap on the monetary value of pensions for dependents of deceased workers for claims made on or after 5 April 2010 has been substituted by an amount representing twice the State average weekly earnings. For claims made before 5 April 2010 the cap on pensions for dependents of deceased workers remains unchanged.
Maximum rates from:
1 July 2019 
| WIRC Act Division 8 |
Maximum rates from: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2019 | 1 July 2020 | 1 July 2021 | 1 July 2022 | 1 July 2023 | 1 July 2024 | |
| During the first 13 weeks | ||||||
|
s241 (2)(a)(ii) 1 partner Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241 (3)(a)(ii) 2 or more partners (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241 (4)(a)(ii) 1 orphan child Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241 (5)(a)(ii) 1 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
| After the first 13 weeks until partner ceases to be eligible | ||||||
|
s241(2)(b)(i) 1 partner Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(2)(b)(ii) 1 partner with no more than 5 children – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(2)(b)(iii) 1 partner with more than 5 children – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1180 $1590 |
$1220 $1640 |
$1270 $1710 |
$1280 $1730 |
$1320 $1770 |
$1390 $1870 |
|
s241(3)(b)(i) 2 or more partners (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(3)(b)(ii) 2 or more partners, no more than 5 children Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(3)(b)(iii) 2 or more partners, more than 5 children (equal shares) – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1180 $1590 |
$1220 $1640 |
$1270 $1710 |
$1280 $1730 |
$1320 $1770 |
$1390 $1870 |
|
s241(10) Total of weekly pensions Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
| After the first 13 weeks until child or orphan ceases to be eligible | ||||||
|
s241(4)(b)(ii) 1 orphan child Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(5)(b)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(6)(b) no more 5 children (equal shares) – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1750 $2380 |
$1810 $2460 |
$1890 $2570 |
$1910 $2590 |
$1960 $2660 |
$2060 $2800 |
|
s241(7)(b) more than 5 children (equal shares) – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$581 $794 |
$599 $819 |
$626 $856 |
$632 $863 |
$650 $887 |
$684 $933
|
1 July 2014 - 30 June 2019
| WIRC Act Division 8 |
Maximum rates from: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2014 | 1 July 2015 | 1 July 2016 | 1 July 2017 | 1 July 2018 | |
| During the first 13 weeks | |||||
|
s241 (2)(a)(ii) 1 partner Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241 (3)(a)(ii) 2 or more partners (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241 (4)(a)(ii) 1 orphan child Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241 (5)(a)(ii) 1 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
| After the first 13 weeks until partner ceases to be eligible | |||||
|
s241(2)(b)(i) 1 partner Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(2)(b)(ii) 1 partner with no more than 5 children – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(2)(b)(iii) 1 partner with more than 5 children – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1050 $1420 |
$1050 $1420 |
$1060 $1430 |
$1110 $1480 |
$1140 $1540 |
|
s241(3)(b)(i) 2 or more partners (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(3)(b)(ii) 2 or more partners, no more than 5 children Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(3)(b)(iii) 2 or more partners, more than 5 children (equal shares) – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1050 $1420 |
$1050 $1420 |
$1060 $1430 |
$1110 $1480 |
$1140 $1540 |
|
s241(10) Total of weekly pensions Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
| After the first 13 weeks until child or orphan ceases to be eligible | |||||
|
s241(4)(b)(ii) 1 orphan child Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(5)(b)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(6)(b) no more 5 children (equal shares) – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1570 $2130 |
$1580 $2150 |
$1640 $2220 |
$1700 $2310 |
|
s241(7)(b) more than 5 children (equal shares) – cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$520 $710 |
$520 $710 |
$520 $710 |
$542 $741 |
$563 $769 |
5 April 2010 - 30 June 2014
| Section of the Act and who it applies to | Maximum rates from: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 April 2010 to 30 June 2010 | 1 July 2010 | 1 July 2011 | 1 July 2012 | 1 July 2013 | |
| During the first 13 weeks | |||||
|
S92B(3)(a)(ii) 1 partner Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(4)(a)(ii) 2 or more partners (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(5)(a)(ii) 1 orphan child Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(6)(a)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
| After the first 13 weeks until partner ceases to be eligible | |||||
|
S92B(3)(b)(i) 1 partner Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(3)(b)(ii) 1 partner with no more than 5 children - cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(3)(b)(iii) 1 partner with more than 5 children - cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$865 $1170 |
$887 $1210 |
$947 $1290 |
$980 $1330 |
$1010 $1370 |
|
S92B(4)(b)(i) 2 or more partners (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(4)(b)(ii) 2 or more partners, no more than 5 children - cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(4)(b)(iii) 2 or more partners, more than 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$865 $1170 |
$887 $1210 |
$947 $1290 |
$980 $1330 |
$1010 $1370 |
|
S92B(11) Total of weekly pensions Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
| After the first 13 weeks until child or orphan ceases to be eligible | |||||
|
S92B(5)(b)(ii) 1 orphan child Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(6)(b)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(7)(b) no more 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$1300 $1760 |
$1330 $1810 |
$1420 $1930 |
$1470 $2000 |
$1510 $2050 |
|
S92B(8)(b) more than 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies Claims made before 5 April 2010 Claims made from 5 April 2010 |
$430 $587 |
$441 $603 |
$471 $643 |
$487 $667 |
$500 $683 |
1 July 2004 - 4 April 2010
| Section of the Act and who it applies to | Maximum rates from: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2004 | 1 July 2005 | 1 July 2006 | 1 July 2007 | 1 July 2008 | 1 July 2009 | 4 April 2010 | |
| Maximum rate during the first 13 weeks | |||||||
| S92B(3)(a)(ii) 1 partner | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(4)(a)(ii) 2 or more partners (equal shares) | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(5)(a)(ii) 1 orphan child | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(6)(a)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| Maximum rate after the first 13 weeks until partner ceases to be eligible | |||||||
| S92B(3)(b)(i) 1 partner | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(3)(b)(ii) 1 partner with no more than 5 children - cap applies | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(3)(b)(iii) 1 partner with more than 5 children - cap applies | $754 | $766 | $796 | $806 | $834 | $865 | $1,170 |
| S92B(4)(b)(i) 2 or more partners (equal shares) | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(4)(b)(ii) 2 or more partners; no more than 5 children - cap applies | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(4)(b)(iii) 2 or more partners; more than 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies | $754 | $766 | $796 | $806 | $834 | $865 | $1,170 |
| S92B(11) Total of weekly pensions | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| Maximum rate after the first 13 weeks until child or orphan ceases to be eligible | |||||||
| S92B(5)(b)(ii) 1 orphan child | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(6)(b)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(7)(b) no more 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies | $1,130 | $1,150 | $1,190 | $1,210 | $1,250 | $1,300 | $1,760 |
| S92B(8)(b) more than 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies | $374 | $380 | $395 | $400 | $414 | $430 | $587 |
12 November 1997 - 30 June 2004
| Section of the Act and who it applies to | Maximum rates from: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 November 1997 | 1 July 1998 | 1 July 1999 | 1 July 2000 | 1 July 2001 | 1 July 2002 | 1 July 2003 | |
| Maximum rate during the first 13 weeks | |||||||
| S92B(3)(a)(ii) 1 domestic partner | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(4)(a)(ii) 2 or more domestic partners (equal shares) | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(5)(a)(ii) 1 orphan child | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(6)(a)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| Maximum rate after the first 13 weeks until partner ceases to be eligible | |||||||
| S92B(3)(b)(i) 1 partner | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(3)(b)(ii) 1 partner with no more than 5 children - cap applies | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(3)(b)(iii) 1 partner with more than 5 children - cap applies | $567 | $590 | $592 | $600 | $617 | $652 | $699 |
| S92B(4)(b)(i) 2 or more partners (equal shares) | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(4)(b)(ii) 2 or more partners; no more than 5 children - cap applies | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(4)(b)(iii) 2 or more partners; more than 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies | $567 | $590 | $592 | $600 | $617 | $652 | $699 |
| S92B(11) Total of weekly pensions | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| After the first 13 weeks until child ceases to be eligible | |||||||
| S92B(5)(b)(ii) 1 orphan child | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(6)(b)(ii) 2 or more orphan children (equal shares) | $850 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(7)(b) no more 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies | $580 | $884 | $887 | $899 | $924 | $976 | $1050 |
| S92B(8)(b) more than 5 children (equal shares) - cap applies | $283 | $294 | $295 | $299 | $307 | $324 | $347 |
Statutory maximum of pensions
The maximum amount for dependents’ pensions for claims made from 5 April 2010 is twice the State average weekly earnings. The State average weekly earnings for a financial year are based on the latest average weekly earnings as at 30 May of the preceding financial year for employees for Victoria as published by the Australian Statistician.
For claims made before 5 April 2010 the maximum amount for pensions is indexed on 1 July each year.
See: Impact of maximums | Indexation of entitlements
Rounding of indexed figures
Except for the original PIAWE rate, amounts used during the indexation calculation are rounded to the nearest $1 if the amount is less than $1000.
If the amount is more than $1000, the amount is rounded up or down to the nearest $10.