REDLANDS Coast business owners concerned about workers’ compensation costs, claim processes and proposed changes to psychological injury claims had until noon on Monday to have their say on a major Queensland reform package.
The Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 were introduced to State Parliament on October 14 and referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee for detailed consideration.
The committee is due to report by November 27 after public hearings scheduled for November 12 and 13.
The reforms are a State Government matter, rather than one for Redland City Council.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie introduced the Bill, but Parliament must pass it before any changes become law.
WorkCover Queensland, the State-owned insurer which supports about 186,000 businesses, would continue to administer insurance and claims under the scheme.
The Bill follows an independent review of Queensland’s industrial relations and workers’ compensation laws led by Glenn Ferguson and former industrial relations commissioner Gary Black.
Among the proposed changes are a stronger employment connection required for psychological injury claims, expanded provisions around reasonable management action, tougher fraud penalties and changes to insurer oversight and review processes.
The proposed psychological injury test is likely to be closely watched by employers and workers alike.
Under the Bill, employment would need to be the “major significant contributing factor” to a psychological injury, replacing the current significant-contributing- factor test.
Workers’ lawyers have warned the change could make it harder for some genuinely injured workers to access support.
For Redlands Coast small and family businesses, the debate is likely to extend beyond the legal detail.
Business groups have raised concerns about rising costs, lengthy claims, administration and uncertainty around psychological injury claims, while maintaining that workers with legitimate injuries should receive proper treatment and support.
WorkCover accepted 4110 primary mental injury claims in 2025-26, accounting for 16 per cent of total statutory payments, or $334 million.
Its 2021-22 annual report recorded 1974 accepted mental-disorder claims, illustrating the sharp rise in mental injury claims over recent years.
WorkCover has held its target average premium rate at $1.343 per $100 of wages for 2026-27, although individual premiums can still change according to wages, industry classification and claims experience.
The State Government has warned premiums could rise by 26 per cent during the next five years without reform.
Business Chamber Queensland chief executive Heidi Cooper welcomed the proposed reforms, describing them as an important step towards a workers’ compensation system that works for businesses while properly supporting injured employees.
Businesses can follow the Bill and the committee’s report through the Queensland Parliament website, while WorkCover Queensland and WorkSafe Queensland will provide practical updates as the process unfolds.
The Bill may still be amended, passed or rejected by Parliament.
