by ABILITY GROUP | Feb 6, 2026 | Breaking News, Claims, Consulting, Health & Wellbeing, Injured Worker, Reforms, Workers Compensation
NSW has entered a defining new era in workers' compensation with the passage of the Workers Compensation Reform and Modernisation legislation, ushering in the most significant changes to psychological injury claims in more than a decade. As psychological injuries continue to rise and place mounting pressure on the scheme, the government have acted to create clearer definitions, streamline assessments, and improve the pathway to recovery for affected workers.
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by Marc Ring | Jun 30, 2025 | Breaking News, Bullying, Health & Wellbeing, Mental Health, Work Health & Safety
In a landmark move to strengthen workplace protections, the Minns Labor Government has passed sweeping reforms that will impact over four million workers across New South Wales. These changes, enacted through the Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Act 2025, mark a significant shift toward safer, fairer, and more inclusive workplaces.
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by ABILITY GROUP | Sep 10, 2024 | Claim costs, Claim management, Health & Wellbeing, Human Resources, Injury Prevention, Work Health & Safety, Workers Compensation, Workplace safety
Pre-employment Functional Assessments offer a cost-effective way to evaluate if candidates can safely perform job tasks based on their physical and medical capacity.
by Marc Ring | Aug 19, 2024 | Bullying, Health & Wellbeing, Injury Prevention, Managing Psychosocial Hazards, Work Health & Safety
Respect in the workplace is a cornerstone of healthy and productive work environments. In Australia, fostering respect at work has become a significant focus, driven by legislative changes and a growing awareness of the importance of a respectful workplace culture. So what is the legislative framework? How do you create a respectful workplace? What are the benefits of a respectful workplace?
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by ABILITY GROUP | Nov 28, 2022 | Claims, Health & Wellbeing, Mental Health, Work Health & Safety, Workers Compensation
The rise in mental health claims in workers' compensation highlights a growing challenge for employers, insurers, and regulators. With psychological injuries now representing a significant portion of workplace claims, the system faces mounting pressure to balance fair compensation with sustainability. For businesses, understanding this trend is essential to ensure compliance, manage costs, and support employee wellbeing.
Read more: Mental Health Claims Increasing
The Growing Trend
Recent data shows a steady increase in claims related to stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions. Key drivers include:
- Workplace pressures such as high workloads, tight deadlines, and organisational change.
- Post-pandemic impacts, with employees reporting heightened stress and burnout.
- Greater awareness and reduced stigma, encouraging more workers to lodge claims.
Implications for Employers
- Rising claims can lead to higher premiums and increased scrutiny from regulators.
- Employers must strengthen mental health policies, including proactive support and early intervention strategies.
- A focus on workplace culture and resilience programs can reduce risk and demonstrate compliance.
Impact on Employees
- Workers benefit from structured recovery support, including counseling and rehabilitation services.
- However, stricter thresholds mean claims must be well-documented with clear medical evidence.
- Early reporting and engagement with return?to?work programs improve outcomes.
Insurer and Legal Perspectives
- Insurers face growing costs but gain predictability through reforms emphasizing rehabilitation.
- Legal practitioners must adapt strategies to new entitlement rules and dispute resolution frameworks, particularly for psychological injury claims.
Conclusion
The increase in mental health claims underscores the importance of a proactive, compliant approach to workplace wellbeing. Employers, employees, insurers, and legal professionals must work together to ensure that compensation systems remain fair, sustainable, and focused on recovery.
Source: Seda
Title: Workplace face escalating mental health claims without action
Read time: 2mins
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by ABILITY GROUP | Oct 3, 2022 | Health & Wellbeing, Mental Health
October's spotlight is on Mental Health Month, which raises awareness on the importance of wellness and helps people with resources and support to improve and wellbeing. With World Mental Health Day on 10th October, Australia aims to provide strategies, tips & support to help people in need.
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