Vic parliament set to approve WorkCover legislation

Vic Parliament Set to Approve WorkCover Legislation

The Victorian Government confirms it will continue modernising the state's workers' compensation scheme, WorkCover, reassuring both workers and businesses that depend on it while ensuring long-term sustainability for the system.

The Victorian Parliament has now passed reforms designed to strengthen compliance across the scheme and support faster injury recovery outcomes for workers statewide.

What the Reform Means for Victorian Workers

The Government says creation of Return to Work Victoria will ensure the WorkCover Scheme Modernisation Bill gets support from the entire Victorian Parliament. This backing enables the scheme to refocus efforts on promoting injury recovery and facilitating return to work for many Victorian workers.

Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Danny Pearson said, "We were clear that WorkCover is fundamentally broken – we're pleased we can now get on with delivering these important changes, making sure our scheme can continue to support Victorian workers when they need it most."

Strengthening Compliance and Long-Term Support

Businesses across Victoria should review how updated compliance requirements affect their obligations under the amended scheme. For organisations managing broader legislative obligations, our HSW Legislation Register offers a practical tool for tracking regulatory changes relevant to workplace safety and compensation frameworks.

This move follows a broader national trend toward tightening worker protections, similar to the legislation addressing industrial manslaughter approved by Tasmanian parliament, which likewise sought parliamentary consensus on critical safety reforms.

Victorian employers seeking guidance on managing occupational health obligations may also find value in our OHS Driver's Manual (Vic) resource, which outlines practical compliance measures relevant to transport and logistics sectors.

Why This Matters for Safety Professionals

Recent incidents underscore why sustainable compensation systems remain critical. A worker critically injured at Vic abattoir highlights ongoing risks within Victorian workplaces, reinforcing the need for robust recovery pathways once legislation has passed.

Leadership stability also plays a role in scheme reliability, as seen when Chris White set to continue his role as WorkCover WA Chief Executive Officer, demonstrating how consistent governance supports injured claimants across jurisdictions.

Read more here.