The maximum duration of weekly compensation payments is generally linked to the level of a worker’s “Whole Person Impairment” (WPI), which is determined by a medical assessor who looks at the degree to which their capacity to carry out daily duties has been diminished by the injury.
Weekly compensation payments may continue up to:
9 years if the WPI is less than 15%;
12 years if the WPI is 15% or more but less than 20%;
20 years if the WPI is 20% or more but less than 30%;
pension age (as per Social Security Act 1991) if the WPI is 30% or more; or
12 months if a worker has already reached pension age when the injury occurs.