AustraliaI developed a disease from chemicals I was exposed to at my federal government workplace. Am I covered?
Yes, you may be covered under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth), which provides compensation for federal public sector workers who suffer work-related injuries or diseases.
What the Law Says
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) (SRC Act) is the primary law covering injury and disease compensation for employees of the Australian federal government and its authorities.
If you developed a disease caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals at your federal government workplace, you may be eligible for compensation, rehabilitation, and return-to-work support under the SRC Act.
The Act defines 'disease' broadly — it includes any physical or mental ailment, disorder, or condition that results from employment. Importantly, it covers diseases that develop gradually due to workplace exposure, not just sudden injuries.
To qualify, your disease must be 'caused to a significant degree' by your employment — meaning your work must be a substantial contributing factor, not just incidental.
You must lodge your claim with Comcare — the federal government’s workplace safety and compensation regulator — within three years of becoming aware of the connection between your disease and your work.
Statutory Textdisease means any physical or mental ailment, disorder or abnormal physiological state, and includes any recurrence, aggravation, exacerbation or deterioration of such an ailment, disorder or state
— Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth), s. 5A — Interpretation
Statutory Texta person is entitled to compensation in respect of an injury if the injury was sustained in the course of, or arising out of, the person's employment
— Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth), s. 26 — Entitlement to compensation
What to Do
Seek medical diagnosis confirming your disease and its link to chemical exposure at work.
Notify your employer in writing as soon as possible — they must report the incident to Comcare.
Lodge a formal claim with Comcare using Form SRC 101 within 3 years of knowing your disease is work-related.
Provide supporting evidence: medical reports, workplace exposure records, witness statements, and safety data sheets (SDS) for the chemicals involved.
Cooperate with Comcare’s assessment — they may arrange independent medical examinations or workplace investigations.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.