2.1 Workers and Injuries


2.1.1 Define a worker | 2.1.2 Exceptions to entitlement for mental injuries | 2.1.3 Exceptions to entitlement or entitlement only to reduced compensation | 2.1.4 Specific persons or roles | 2.1.5 Cross border provisions | 2.1.6 Define an injury | 2.1.7 Specific injuries | 2.1.8 Responding to serious incidents


This chapter explains who is a worker and who are deemed to be workers for compensation purposes, including people under contract and in specific roles.

Criteria for compensation

If a worker's injury or illness is work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. then they are entitled to compensation. In some cases the employment must have been a significant contributing factor to the worker’s injury.

The following criteria must be met for a person to receive compensation:

  • the person must be a worker within the meaning of the legislation
  • the worker must suffer a work-related injury and in some cases, their employment must be a significant contributing factor to that injury.

See: Significant contributing factor


Provisional payments for mental injuries

Workers may also be entitled to provisional payments where they have made a claim for compensation which includes a mental injury, and can be payable before the claim is determined (i.e. while still pending), or after the claim has been rejected.

See: 6.5 Provisional payments for a mental injury


Work-related death

If a work-related injury results in or materially contributes to a worker’s death, dependants of the worker can apply for compensation.

See: Death claims


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