Workplace Legislation Amendment (Accident Compensation and Other Matters) Bill 2026

Overview

The Workplace Legislation Amendment (Accident Compensation and Other Matters) Bill 2026 (the Bill) has been introduced and second read in Parliament.

The Bill implements the first stage of reforms from the final report of the Independent Review of Employee Representatives and introduces significant workplace health and safety, workers compensation and regulatory changes.

Proposed changes

The Bill will amend the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act), the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (AC Act), the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act), the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Act 2026 (OHS (DG) Act) and the Transport Accident Act 1986 (TA Act) to:

• expand the forms of security self-insurers and non-WorkCover employers may use to fulfill their financial guarantee requirements under the WIRC Act
• enhance the ability of health and safety representatives (HSRs) and authorised representatives of registered employee organisations (ARREOs) to identify and resolve occupational health and safety issues
• safeguard against conduct that undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the occupational health safety (OHS) representation framework
• make administrative improvements to the OHS representation framework
• clarify that WorkSafe and the Transport Accident Commission are not liable to fund accommodation costs associated with specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
• align approval of the terms and conditions of the WorkSafe Board Chairperson with that of Directors of WorkSafe
• clarify how Medical Panels fees are set.

Commencement

If passed, the changes are expected to commence in stages:

• Changes to financial guarantee requirements and OHS representation framework are expected to commence on 10 September 2027, unless proclaimed earlier.
• Changes relating to HSRs and ARREOs are expected to commence on a day or days to be proclaimed.
• Changes to the definition of supported accommodation are expected to commence the day after Royal Assent and apply retrospectively from 1 July 2024.
• Changes to align approval processes for the terms and conditions of the WorkSafe Board, and to clarify how medical fees are set, will commence the day after Royal Assent.

Further information about the changes will be provided if the legislation becomes law. A copy of the Bill can be viewed and downloaded from the Victorian legislation website.

Background

The proposed changes to HSR and ARREO powers follow recommendations from the Independent Review of Employee Representatives, while changes to financial guarantee requirements have been informed by representations from self-insurers.

The review identified opportunities to enhance the powers and support available to HSRs and ARREOs.

The proposed changes have also been informed by engagement with employee and employer representatives, WorkSafe and other key stakeholders.

More information

• View the Bill
• Read the Independent Review of Employee Representatives Final Report and Victorian Government response
• Read the Minister’s media release announcing the Bill’s introduction

Updates

This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. You can also register to receive the latest information about the proposed legislation.

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