Victoria expands dust-disease compensation rights
Key compensation reforms commenced on 2 October; other workplace safety changes have later start dates.
Dust-disease compensation changes commenced. Other parts of the Act commence later.
What happened
WorkSafe confirms reforms restoring rights for certain 1997 to 1999 occupational exposures, allowing further damages for a subsequent dust-related condition and removing statutory time limits for relevant common law actions.
The separate Supreme Court pre-litigation changes and OHS enforcement reforms commence on 10 September 2027 unless proclaimed earlier.
Why it matters
Previously screened-out dust-disease claims may warrant specialist reassessment.
The Lawgistics take
Check intake exclusion rules and referral checklists against the commenced provisions. Keep later procedural changes separate.