Injured workers in NSW who have been receiving weekly benefits for more than five years, risk losing their entitlement from September 2017 unless they can establish a whole permanent impairment of at least 21%.  This assessment can only be achieved by obtaining a Medical Assessment Certificate via the Workers Compensation Commission. Note this assessment cannot be obtained by agreement with the insurer.

Practitioners should be aware that these workers are being contacted by the insurers about this issue and may therefore contact their lawyer seeking advice. Funding for the provision of advice and medical assessment can be obtained from the Workers Compensation Independent Review office (WIRO).

NB: Injured workers and employers may also be contacted by insurers or icare to notify them of changes, as two insurance companies (CGU and QBE) are no longer providing claims service to workers compensation at 31 December 2017. This is a purely administrative change.