The proposed amendment to the Dust Diseases Act 1942 aims to strengthen support for workers with dust?related injuries.
On 10 August 2022, the NSW Government introduced the Workers’ Compensation (Dust Diseases) Amendment Bill to update the 1942 Act.
The amendment streamlines benefit calculations by removing legislative anomalies, easing burdens on injured workers and families. This process removes ambiguity over injured worker entitlements and makes benefit calculations more straightforward without any technical obstacles. The passing of this bill would also mean all current benefit rates are protected from reductions.
This amendment is reinforced by the 2022 Dust Diseases Regulation, which expanded Schedule 1 to include:
- Diffuse dust-related pulmonary fibrosis
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Pneumoconiosis (any form)
- Silica-induced carcinoma of the lung
- Systemic sclerosis
Need Help? Contact ABILITY GROUP
Source: NSW Government
Title: Expanding the Dust Diseases Scheme and protecting worker entitlements
Time: 7 mins