Comcare is the national workers compensation scheme for Commonwealth and ACT government employees. It also covers a handful of large private companies like Telstra, Commonwealth Bank and Australia Post.
Your claim includes compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and any other costs related to your injury or illness. If you’re not covered by Comcare, you can make a workers compensation claim under your state scheme.
You must meet three criteria to make a Comcare claim:
This includes workplace accidents and long-term issues resulting from your job. For example, you could develop anxiety or depression due to stress at work.
This means your injury prevents you from working as you did before. You might be working fewer hours, on light duties, or have stopped work entirely. If your injuries are permanent, you may also be entitled to a lump sum payment.
As mentioned, you must be an employee of the Commonwealth, ACT Government, or certain private companies to be covered by the Comcare Scheme.
Find out if you’re eligible for Comcare benefits today.
You can claim compensation for:
Your lost income will be calculated based on how much you earned before your injury.
All other expenses must be approved before they are reimbursed. This means you’ll need to submit a request to Comcare before hiring anyone, buying equipment, or making modifications.
Unfortunately, the Comcare scheme is not straightforward, and your claim may be denied for several reasons. These include:
If your claim has been denied, you’re entitled to challenge Comcare’s decision. You can learn more about this process in our complete guide to challenging denied claims.
It’s crucial to report your injury to your employer when it happens or as soon as possible afterwards. Delayed reporting can result in your claim being denied. Once your claim is submitted, there are several key time limits to keep in mind:
Our team use their extensive experience to increase your chances of success. We’ve won many awards for our work, including ‘Compensation Law Firm of the Year 2020 GBM Global Awards.’
The companies covered by Comcare are known as licensed ‘self-insurers’. They are private corporations with employees across the country.
Once your Comcare claim is approved, you’ll receive weekly payments to cover your lost income. They are based on your earnings before your injury or illness, including any usual overtime and allowances. The amount you receive also depends on the length of time you have been receiving benefits.
First 45 weeks
For the first 45 weeks, you will receive 100% of your normal weekly earnings minus any income you are still earning.
Importantly, the 45 weeks do not have to be consecutive. For example, say you worked 5 days a week before your injury but now require 1 day a week off for medical treatment. Each time you receive treatment only counts as 1 day toward your 45-week total. This means that your ’45 weeks’ is extended, and you could receive 100% of your normal weekly earnings for up to 225 weeks.
From 45 weeks
Your payments will vary if you still cannot work at your pre-injury capacity after 45 weeks.
Per cent of normal weekly hours worked | Compensation |
---|---|
Did not work | 75% of normal weekly earnings |
25% or less | 80% of normal weekly earnings minus actual earnings |
More than 25% but not more than 50% | 85% of normal weekly earnings minus actual earnings |
More than 50% but not more than 75% | 90% of normal weekly earnings minus actual earnings |
More than 75% but less than 100% | 95% of normal weekly earnings minus actual earnings |
100% | 100% of normal weekly earnings minus actual earnings |
Information taken from Comcare, Australian Government, 2021
After a loved one passes away, you may be able to claim Comcare compensation on their behalf. To do so, you must meet 3 criteria:
If you meet all 3 criteria, you may be eligible for the following:
In addition to your Comcare claim, you may have:
As part of our comprehensive service, we always find your additional claims. This ensures you receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
To find out what you could receive, speak to one of our expert lawyers today. In a free consultation, we’ll take a detailed look at your policy and outline all your entitlements.
While you can legally make a Comcare claim on your own, we always suggest speaking to a lawyer first.
A specialist lawyer will find out if you’re covered under Comcare and give you advice on whether you have a valid claim. Your first consultation is entirely free, and there’s no obligation to continue your claim.
If you choose to work with us, we’ll put together extensive evidence supporting your case, including medical reports and timelines of your injury. We’ll also use our network of medical experts to challenge any evidence from Comcare.
At the same time, our team will ensure you meet all of Comcare’s strict deadlines and evidence requirements. This makes your claim more likely to be approved immediately, saving you months of appeals.
Should your claim be denied, we’ll immediately start on your appeal. Your lawyer will handle all negotiations with Comcare on your behalf. If you filed your original claim without legal help, we strongly suggest consulting a lawyer before starting your appeal. The appeals process involves lengthy negotiations with Comcare lawyers, and without solid legal advice, you may not receive the compensation you deserve.
On top of your Comcare claim, your lawyer will also find your additional claims. This includes negligence, Total and Permanent Disability (TPD), and any other insurance claims. Often, these are worth substantially more than your Comcare claim alone.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help win your claim. Our expert Comcare lawyers are always available to discuss your case.
When you walk through our doors, our top priority is to help you as much as we can. This commitment is shown in over 200 5-star reviews.
For 25 years, we’ve helped injured workers make successful claims. Our lawyers are experts in the Comcare scheme and know the best strategies to secure your maximum compensation. Plus, with Monaco, you can:
To take on the Comcare system, you need expert lawyers on your side. We’ll handle negotiations and provide specialist advice at every step of your claim.
The Comcare scheme can be unfair to unrepresented claimants, often making unnecessary requests or delaying claims on unjust grounds. With our lawyers on your side, you can avoid these delays and secure your compensation faster.
Use our online claim checker to instantly find out if you have a claim. Alternatively, just give us a ring — our expert lawyers are always ready to answer your questions.