Upcoming changes to Workers’ Comp in VIC
A new Bill introduced in March 2025 could significantly change how businesses in Victoria manage injured workers.
The Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Bill 2025 is designed to strengthen protections for workers and clarify employer responsibilities — especially around the role of Return-to-Work (RTW) Coordinators.
Although the Bill has not yet been passed, it’s important to understand what’s coming and how to prepare.
Current requirements for RTW Coordinators in Victoria
Under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, a business must appoint a Return-to-Work (RTW) Coordinator if it:
Employs 100 or more workers, or
Pays $2.895 million or more in rateable remuneration annually (indexed)
Even if you don’t meet the threshold, appointing a RTW Coordinator is considered best practice — especially for businesses dealing with long-term or complex injuries.
The appointed coordinator must:
Be appropriately senior, with the authority to manage RTW processes
Be competent, meaning they have relevant knowledge or experience
Currently, there is no legal requirement for the RTW Coordinator to complete formal training — though WorkSafe Victoria strongly recommends it.
Important: Specific RTW Coordinator requirements exist in other states and territories. Each jurisdiction has its own rules about when a coordinator must be appointed, what qualifications or training they need, and what their responsibilities involve.
To help businesses navigate these differences, we’ve created a free comparative guide:
What the Bill Proposes (If passed)
The proposed changes would introduce new enforceable obligations for employers who are required to appoint a RTW Coordinator.
Mandatory Training or Qualification
Employers must ensure their RTW Coordinator:
Completes approved training within a specified timeframe, or
Holds an approved qualification
This applies unless the employer has a reasonable excuse (Section 106A).
Paid Support for Training
Employers must also:
Allow paid time off work to complete the training
Cover pay for training undertaken outside normal working hours
Pay the full cost of the training (Section 106D)
Provision of Resources
Employers must provide RTW Coordinators with the tools, systems, and assistance required to carry out their responsibilities effectively (Section 106E).
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The proposed penalties for failing to meet these obligations are significant:
Individuals: up to 120 penalty units (equivalent to $118,512)
Corporations: up to 600 penalty units (equivalent to $592,560)
These penalties apply per breach, based on Victoria’s current penalty unit value of $987.60 (as of 1 July 2024).
Prefer to Rely on an Experienced RTW Professional?
Risk Collective offers an outsourced Return-to-Work Coordinator service, allowing you to appoint an experienced professional without adding to your internal workload.
Our workers comp and RTW expert, Kathryn, can be formally appointed as your RTW Coordinator in Victoria as well as other jurisdictions. She brings:
Formal qualifications and approved training
Extensive experience managing complex and psychological injury claims
A practical, professional approach tailored to your business needs
With Kathryn in the role, your business can meet current and proposed legal obligations with confidence, while ensuring your injured workers are supported by someone who truly knows the process.