AustraliaMy workplace injury has left me permanently impaired. What compensation am I entitled to?
If your workplace injury has caused permanent impairment in Australia, you may be entitled to a lump sum compensation payment under your state or territory’s workers’ compensation scheme, based on the degree of impairment assessed by a qualified medical practitioner.
What the Law Says
Workers’ compensation laws in Australia are state and territory-based. Permanent impairment compensation is generally payable when a work-related injury results in a permanent whole person impairment (WPI) of at least 11%, as assessed under the AMA Guides or jurisdiction-specific standards.
In New South Wales, the Workers Compensation Act 1987 provides for lump sum compensation for permanent impairment under Part 3, Division 3. Eligibility requires a minimum impairment of 11% WPI, assessed by an approved medical specialist using the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th edition.
The amount of lump sum compensation depends on the percentage of whole person impairment and is indexed annually. For injuries occurring on or after 21 October 2019, the maximum lump sum in NSW is $230,000 (as at 1 July 2024). Weekly income support is generally capped at 260 weeks for permanent impairment claims.
You must lodge your claim for permanent impairment compensation within 12 months of receiving the impairment assessment — unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Statutory TextA worker is entitled to lump sum compensation for permanent impairment if the worker's whole person impairment is at least 11 per cent.
— Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s. 66 — Compensation for permanent impairment
Statutory TextThe amount of compensation payable is determined in accordance with the scale set out in Schedule 2.
— Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s. 66(2)
What to Do
Get a permanent impairment assessment from an approved medical specialist using the AMA Guides (5th ed.)
Lodge a claim for lump sum compensation with your employer’s insurer within 12 months of the assessment
Provide all medical reports and evidence linking your impairment to the work injury
Seek advice from WorkCover or your state’s workers’ compensation authority before accepting any settlement
Sources
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South KoreaNot 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.