Tasmania will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to legislate a presumptive provision for workers compensation claims arising from diagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
This means that when Tasmanian Government workers make a claim following a diagnosis of work-related trauma PTSD under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, the default presumption is that the cause is work-related.
Tasmania’s workers compensation system already has a very high acceptance rate for PTSD related claims, and these changes will make it easier for public servants suffering from PTSD to make a claim.
The Hodgman Liberal Government supports the work all Tasmanians do, particularly those on the frontline who deal with traumatic incidents as part of their jobs.
Our emergency first responders are among those that Tasmanians turn to in times of traumatic events, tragedy, or need. They can often witness confronting and serious incidents, which have long-lasting impacts on their mental health.
That is why the Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to seeing first responders provided with a fair and reasonable access to workers compensation for work-related PTSD.
All Government Business Enterprises and State-owned Companies will also be requested to adopt the presumption in administering and determining any PTSD claims made by their workers.
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