Under Section 51A of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act) the Victorian Government has added uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers to the list of eligible progressive diseases (EPDs), effective from 5th December 2024. These diseases are declared to be serious, potentially life-threatening and extremely likely to cause ongoing deterioration of a person’s health, such that the degree of impairment resulting from the disease is unlikely to stabilise for any significant period of time.
The inclusions will benefit workers where they develop those cancers in the course of employment by facilitating:
- streamlined access to impairment benefit compensation
- an entitlement to receive further compensation where their condition deteriorates
- access to family counselling services
The amendment will also ensure that proclaimed EPDs are generally consistent with conditions listed in the presumptive rights framework and will allow career and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with prescribed diseases to apply for compensation without having to prove firefighting was the cause.
The changes will mean that women who develop these cancers receive the same consideration as those suffering other cancers which can develop through long-term contact with carcinogens through their work – particularly firefighters.
Affected workers will no longer need to wait until their injury has stabilised for 12 months before claiming lump sum payments, while workers who have already received compensation will be entitled to additional benefits where their condition continues to deteriorate.
Family members of those affected will also have extended eligibility to access medical practitioners, psychologists and social workers who can support them through grief and loss.
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said “Women in our emergency services risk their lives to keep us safe – making these important changes will ensure they can access help when they need it.”
Read more: Eligible progressive diseases | WorkSafe Victoria