by ABILITY GROUP | Jun 8, 2026 | Reforms, Workers Compensation
The NSW Government has announced sweeping reforms to the workers’ compensation scheme, designed to reduce costs, improve return-to-work outcomes, and tighten access to long-term benefits for psychological injury claims. For employers, these changes are expected to deliver greater stability, particularly in managing psychological injury claims. Our briefing highlights key changes to assist employers as the new 2026/27 financial year commences.
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by ABILITY GROUP | Jun 1, 2026 | Injured Worker, Workers Compensation
The Victorian Government has announced additional support measures for injured workers and the businesses that employ them. These reforms strengthen the Workcover system, aiming to improve recovery outcomes, return to work processes, and compliance standards. For employers, the changes highlight the need for proactive injury management and structured workplace support.
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by ABILITY GROUP | May 18, 2026 | Premium, Workers Compensation
Workers' compensation remains one of the most challenging costs for NSW employers to control. Economic uncertainty, skills shortages, and rising regulatory expectations are stretching leadership teams. IN May 2026 icare premium update confirms these pressures are intensifying.
icare's update is not just about pricing or premium formula, rather the update explains how icare is now applying premiums, rewards, and penalties in practice and why many employers are facing increases well beyond expectations. Premium outcomes are now directly tied to how well safety, injury management, recovery, and return to work are handled.
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by ABILITY GROUP | May 11, 2026 | Hazardous Manual Tasks, Work Health & Safety
A NSW recycling company has been fined $472,500 following a tragic workplace accident in which a worker was fatally injured while attempting to clear a blockage in a green waste grinder. The case highlights the critical importance of workplace safety compliance and the devastating consequences of failing to implement proper risk control measures.
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by ABILITY GROUP | May 4, 2026 | Health & Wellbeing, Mental Health, Work Health & Safety
A recent news.com.au report has sounded a clear warning: Australia’s $789b income support system is under increasing strain, driven largely by a surge in mental health-related claims across workers’ compensation, disability, and welfare schemes.
While the headline focuses on government finances, employers should not mistake this as a public-sector problem. Psychological injury claims are now one of the fastest growing, longest lasting, and most expensive risks facing Australian workplaces, and businesses are increasingly bearing the cost through higher premiums, stricter eligibility thresholds, and regulatory scrutiny.
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