Workers' Compensation
The workers' compensation scheme is legislated through the:
The legislation establishes that the Northern Territory has a no fault workers' rehabilitation and compensation scheme. If a worker suffers an injury or disease in the course of employment they may be eligible for entitlements such as:
- payment of medical and other reasonable expenses
- weekly payments of income maintenance while away from work
- rehabilitation services
- assistance to return to work
Additionally, if a work accident results in the death of a worker, the family of the worker may be entitled to a lump sum payment and / or income maintenance.
Management of psychological claims
A national framework was developed in partnership with Safe Work Australia and SuperFriend, a national mental health foundation and reflects the important role of the insurer and employer in a person-centred claims management process.
Taking action: A best practice framework for the management of psychological claims in Australian workers compensation key focus is to empower and support workers who suffer or are at risk of developing a psychological injury by providing practical and evidence based guidelines to help workers compensation insurers and claims managers to better support workers.
The framework consists of six action areas as shown below:
| 1. Developing the management practices for psychological claims |
| 2. Optimising claims management teams |
| 3. Engaging and supporting employers in the recovery at work/return to work process |
| 4. Brining evidence to treatment and rehabilitation |
| 5. Effective decision making supported by analytics and automation |
| 6. Recording progress |
While the framework was developed with a focus on psychological injuries, many of the framework's best practice principles can also be applied to the treatment of physical injury claims - both as a means to better claims management practices and also to aid in preventing injured workers developing a secondary psychological injury.
Changes to the Return to Work Legislation 2020
The Northern Territory Legislative Assembly has passed amendments to the Return to Work Act 1986 and Return to Work Regulations 1986.
This Act commenced on the 29th of July 2020, as fixed by Government Gazette.
The Return to Work Legislation Amendment Act 2020 reversed a number of changes made to the legislation in 2015 and improves the operation of the NT Workers Compensation Scheme.
Changes to the Return to Work Legislation 2020
Video Resources
The below videos have been developed to give helpful information about injuries and claims:
Related Forms and Resources
| Checklists |
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| Permanent impairment assessment checklist for medical practitioners |