More national employers move to Comcare

More of Australia's big employers are moving out of state-based safety and compensation schemes to Comcare, a move which could lead to reduced payouts for injured workers says the ACTU.

The federal Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) has given its approval for the National Australia Bank and construction giant John Holland to join companies already under the Comcare scheme, such as Linfox, Telstra and CSL.

Amendments made to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 earlier this year made it possible for private companies to enter the Commonwealth scheme.

To be eligible, such companies must prove to the SRCC that they are in competition with current or former Commonwealth authorities.

Comcare may be seen as a desirable alternative to companies operating in a number of states, which are under the jurisdiction of a number of OHS and compensation regulations.

However, the ACTU is concerned that health and safety protections for workers are lower in the federal system and that payouts for permanently injured workers are also much less.

"For example, the amount payable to a paraplegic is around 30-40% less under Comcare than under Victoria's workers compensation scheme," ACTU president, Sharan Burrow said.

"And for a worker who loses a thumb and forefinger in a workplace accident, the payment under Comcare is only $66,000, while in Victoria it is $107,000 and in NSW it is $114,000.

The ACTU is also concerned that Comcare is not equipped to deal with an employer such as John Holland.

"Australia's construction industry is very dangerous and many workers continue to lose their lives in unnecessary workplace accidents," Burrow said.