Simplified Theoretical 5-Year Compensation Model of Worker Earning $100,000 Per Year pre-injury with each state’s weekly payment

Simplified Theoretical 5-Year Compensation Model

Worker Earning $100,000 Per Year

Workers compensation schemes differ significantly across Australia. A person can suffer a workplace injury, but the amount of compensation they may be entitled to can depend heavily on which state, territory, or Commonwealth jurisdiction their claim falls under.

In other words, the same injured worker earning the same income may receive different levels of support depending on the workers compensation scheme that applies.

This example assumes:

• Pre-injury earnings of $100,000 per year

• An accepted psychological injury claim

• No return to work for five years

• Continuous entitlement to weekly compensation payments

• No indexation adjustments

• No changes in work capacity

• Simplified calculations for comparison purposes only

Theoretical Weekly Payments and 5-Year Totals

Jurisdiction

Approx. Weekly Payment

Approx. 5-Year Weekly Payment Total

Tasmania

$1,744 per week

$453,562 5 years

Queensland

$1,638 per week

$425,750 5 years

Victoria

$1,531 per week

$398,131 5 years

South Australia

$1,474 per week

$383,163 5years

ACT

$1,474 per week

$383,163 5 years

Northern Territory

$1,474 per week

$383,163 5 years

Comcare

$1,474 per week

$383,163 5 years

New South Wales

$1,461 per week

$379,926 5 years

Western Australia

$1,923 per week

$273,220 capped amount

*Western Australia’s weekly payments may initially be higher than many other jurisdictions; however, the statutory income compensation cap significantly limits the total amount payable over the life of a claim.

Ranking by Theoretical 5-Year Entitlement

1. Tasmania — $419,926

2. South Australia — $409,916

3. Australian Capital Territory — $409,916

4. Northern Territory — $409,916

5. New South Wales — $403,637

6. Victoria — $403,637

7. Queensland — $379,938

8. Western Australia — $273,220

Key Takeaway

This comparison demonstrates how compensation outcomes can vary across Australia despite identical circumstances. The differences are driven by each jurisdiction’s legislation, payment formulas, statutory caps, entitlement periods, and ongoing eligibility requirements.

While Tasmania produces the highest theoretical five-year entitlement in this model, Western Australia produces the lowest once statutory income compensation caps are applied.

Disclaimer

These figures are simplified theoretical estimates only and are provided for comparison purposes. They assume a worker earning $100,000 per year remains continuously entitled to weekly compensation payments for five years. Actual entitlements vary depending on legislation, work capacity, medical evidence, rehabilitation participation, statutory caps, insurer decisions, and individual claim circumstances. This information is general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or compensation advice.