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


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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:

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.


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