The Cook Labor Government has enacted changes to Western Australia's workers compensation scheme, impacting both health service provider eligibility and the processes surrounding WorkCover WA determinations. Published on April 1, 2026, the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Regulations 2026 bring significant updates to the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Regulations 2024, prompting close attention from employers, employees, and medical professionals alike. This article, drawing on data monitored by GovScanner, dissects these regulatory shifts and their potential implications. GovScanner regularly monitors the WA Government Gazette, Hansard, tabled papers, bills, questions on notice, committee reports, and subsidiary legislation.
CPI Definition Updated
The Workers Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Regulations 2026 start with a seemingly minor, yet crucial, adjustment: updating the definition of 'March CPI'. While the specific details of this update aren't provided in the summary data, any change to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) benchmark directly influences compensation payouts, affecting cost-of-living adjustments for injured workers and impacting the financial planning of businesses. This alteration necessitates a review of existing compensation arrangements to ensure compliance with the updated benchmark. Further detail may be gleaned from /gazette for the full text of the amendment.
Regulation 17 Abolished
One of the more notable changes is the outright deletion of regulation 17 from the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Regulations 2024. Without the full text of the regulations, the precise content of the deleted regulation is unknown. However, its removal suggests a streamlining or restructuring of the regulatory framework. Stakeholders should investigate the original regulation 17 to understand the implications of its absence. The Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 is the parent legislation for these regulations.
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Health Service Provider Eligibility Modified
A significant portion of the amendment focuses on modifying the table in regulation 32, which governs health service provider eligibility within the workers compensation scheme. These changes likely outline specific requirements or qualifications that providers must meet to be recognised under the scheme. This could involve adjustments to accreditation standards, required experience, or specific training. Providers need to carefully review these modified eligibility criteria to ensure they continue to meet the requirements for treating injured workers under the scheme. Changes to health provider eligibility may have been discussed in /hansard.
WorkCover WA Determinations: A New Condition
Regulation 43, concerning WorkCover WA determinations, sees the addition of a new condition. This addition suggests a refinement of the process by which WorkCover WA makes decisions regarding workers compensation claims. The new condition could relate to factors such as the evidence required, the criteria considered, or the process for appealing determinations. Understanding this new condition is crucial for both employers and employees involved in workers compensation claims. WorkCover WA's website should provide further details on determinations.
The changes to WorkCover WA determinations may be related to questions raised in Parliament. See /questions for details.
These changes come as the 42nd Parliament of Western Australia continues its legislative agenda under Premier Roger Cook. The Cook Labor Government, with a majority in both houses, is overseeing these adjustments to the state's workers compensation framework. The President of the Legislative Council is Tjorn Sibma (since May 2025), and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is Michelle Roberts. The Governor is Chris Dawson AC APM (since July 2022).
The Workers Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Regulations 2026 represent a significant update to Western Australia's workers compensation scheme. The changes to health service provider eligibility and WorkCover WA determinations are particularly noteworthy, requiring careful attention from all stakeholders. The regulations were published under the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023.
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