The Office of Industrial Relations has announced a system that makes it easier and quicker for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access support and compensation.
The move follows changes to workers compensation laws that have passed Parliament.
As a result, first responders’ diagnosed PTSD claims will be deemed work-related, allowing them to get immediate treatment and benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Scheme.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace said first responders were exposed daily to traumatic incidents that most people could never imagine and the changes provided a smoother pathway to compensation and support.
“It provides these workers with dignity when they most need it, overcomes barriers to making a claim, and provides a safety net for people who put their health at risk every day to help others,” Ms Grace said.
“This is also a win for the families of first responders, whose rate of mental health conditions is 10 times higher than the Australian workforce generally.”
The changes will apply to thousands of front-line first responders including police officers, ambulance officers and paramedics; firefighters including volunteers and the rural fire brigade; State Emergency Service members; and Corrective Service officers.
Also included are authorised officers within child safety; youth justice staff members; doctors and nurses working in certain areas such as emergency and trauma care and acute care as well as Local Government and private sector workers performing the same roles, and Departmental employees exposed to traumatic incidents.
“This legislation was introduced during the last Parliament and we are honouring our commitment by making it law,” Ms Grace said.
“It will also go a long way to reducing the stigma first responders have about the impact of a claim on their job prospects, or how they are perceived in their workplace.”
