Which workers compensation scheme covers Tasmania Police?
Tasmania Police officers are covered by the general state scheme: the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Tas). There's no separate injured-on-duty scheme for police in the Police Service Act 2003. What police do have is two provisions in the Act that apply to them specifically, which we cover below.
The Act binds the Crown, and section 4(2) says "a police officer shall be deemed to be in the service of the Crown". The definition of police officer in section 3 includes junior constables and trainees, so you're covered from your first day at the Academy at Rokeby.
The law
WRC Act 1988
Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (Tas)
Disputes go to
TASCAT
Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Regulator
WorkSafe Tas
with the WorkCover Tasmania Board
The State insures itself through the Tasmanian Risk Management Fund, run by the Department of Treasury and Finance. Treasury says claims administration is done by JLT Public Sector, while each agency keeps responsibility for managing its own claims. Treasury's page doesn't name police specifically, so treat the Fund's coverage of Tasmania Police as our reading rather than a confirmed fact.
For how Tasmania compares with the other forces, see our national guide to police workers compensation.
What counts as a work injury for a Tasmanian officer?
The Act covers injuries arising out of, or in the course of, employment. For a disease, including a mental illness, your employment must have contributed "to a substantial degree", which section 3(2A) defines as "the major or most significant factor". The PTSD presumption changes how that test works for PTSD (see below).
Injured during an arrest, pursuit or public order job
- Generally covered?
- Yes
- Why
- Arises out of and in the course of employment
Back injury lifting gear in the station
- Generally covered?
- Yes
- Why
- Arises in the course of employment
PTSD after critical incidents
- Generally covered?
- Yes, presumed
- Why
- s 28A presumption for Crown employees
Depression or anxiety from workload or a toxic workplace
- Generally covered?
- Possibly
- Why
- Employment must be the major or most significant factor
Stress from a reasonable transfer, discipline or promotion decision
- Generally covered?
- No
- Why
- Excluded by s 25(1A) if the action was reasonable and done reasonably
Injury from your own serious and wilful misconduct
- Generally covered?
- Usually no
- Why
- s 25(2), unless it causes death or serious permanent incapacity
| Situation | Generally covered? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Injured during an arrest, pursuit or public order job | Yes | Arises out of and in the course of employment |
| Back injury lifting gear in the station | Yes | Arises in the course of employment |
| PTSD after critical incidents | Yes, presumed | s 28A presumption for Crown employees |
| Depression or anxiety from workload or a toxic workplace | Possibly | Employment must be the major or most significant factor |
| Stress from a reasonable transfer, discipline or promotion decision | No | Excluded by s 25(1A) if the action was reasonable and done reasonably |
| Injury from your own serious and wilful misconduct | Usually no | s 25(2), unless it causes death or serious permanent incapacity |
General guide only. Each claim turns on its own evidence.
Sworn officers, junior constables and trainees are all workers under the Act. The Act also treats volunteers who help police in marine search and rescue and similar operations as Crown workers (section 6A), which matters if you lead volunteers on searches.
How to make a claim, step by step
The sooner you report, the easier the claim. Section 32 requires notice of the injury "as soon as practicable" and before you voluntarily leave the job, and a claim within 6 months. A late claim isn't automatically lost if the delay was caused by mistake, absence from the State or another reasonable cause.
- 1
Tell your supervisor and record it
As soon as practicableNotice can be oral or written (s 33). Record the incident through Tasmania Police's internal injury reporting as well, and keep your own notes of dates, witnesses and job numbers.
- 2
See a doctor and get a workers comp certificate
Same weekThe claim needs a certificate in the form approved by the WorkCover Board, signed by a medical practitioner or accredited person. Tell the doctor it's a work injury.
- 3
Complete the claim form
Within 6 monthsLodge the Board-approved claim form with the certificate. The claim isn't treated as made until both are in (s 34). Your employer must tell you about your right to claim within 14 days of learning of the injury (s 33A).
- 4
Your employer forwards the claim
3-5 working daysThe employer must notify its insurer within 3 working days and forward the claim within 5 working days (s 36). Refusing or obstructing a claim is an offence.
- 5
Weekly payments start
Within 14 daysUnder s 81, weekly payments must start from the first pay day if practicable, otherwise within 14 days of the claim. Paying is not an admission of liability (s 81AA).
- 6
Accepted, or disputed within 84 days
84 daysTo dispute weekly payments the employer must serve written notice with reasons and refer the matter to TASCAT within 84 days (s 81A). If it doesn't, liability is taken to be accepted (s 81AB).
Ask for an Injury Management Coordinator
Treasury's Risk Management Fund rules require agencies to appoint an Injury Management Coordinator when incapacity is likely to exceed 5 working days. DPFEM also employs Injury Management Consultants. Ask who yours is on day one, and get every agreement about duties or hours in writing.
How much you're paid: weekly payments and step-downs
Section 69 sets the base weekly payment for total incapacity at the greater of your normal weekly earnings or your ordinary time rate. Normal weekly earnings are worked out from your average earnings, and section 70 sets the rules for what's counted.
Overtime only counts if it was required, rostered, regular and uniform, and would have continued (s 70(2)(ab)). Discretionary bonuses are excluded, as are payments that cover special expenses or travel and meal costs. Regular allowances such as the 28% shift and penalty allowance are part of what you were paid, but ask the claims manager to show you how your figure was built.
Weeks 1-26
- General rate
- 100%
- If fit for suitable duties but none offered
- 100%
Weeks 27-78
- General rate
- 90%
- If fit for suitable duties but none offered
- 95%
Week 79 onward
- General rate
- 80%
- If fit for suitable duties but none offered
- 85%
| Period from first incapacity | General rate | If fit for suitable duties but none offered |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-26 | 100% | 100% |
| Weeks 27-78 | 90% | 95% |
| Week 79 onward | 80% | 85% |
No step-down applies in any week you work 50% or more of your normal hours under an approved return-to-work or injury management plan (s 69B(2A)). Payments plus earnings can't fall below 70% of the Act's basic salary or your weekly payment, whichever is lower (s 69B(3)).
How long payments last
The end point depends on your assessed whole person impairment (WPI). Every entitlement stops at Commonwealth pension age, or 2 years after the injury if it happened within 2 years of that age (s 87).
Under 15%, or not assessed
- Weekly payments can continue for
- 9 years from the initial incapacity
15% to 19%
- Weekly payments can continue for
- 12 years
20% to 29%
- Weekly payments can continue for
- 20 years
30% or more
- Weekly payments can continue for
- Until pension age (s 87)
| Whole person impairment | Weekly payments can continue for |
|---|---|
| Under 15%, or not assessed | 9 years from the initial incapacity |
| 15% to 19% | 12 years |
| 20% to 29% | 20 years |
| 30% or more | Until pension age (s 87) |
The police step-down exemption: what it means for you
In 2019 Parliament amended the Act "to remove certain restrictions in relation to weekly payments in respect of police officers injured while on active duty". The result is section 69B(2DA), in force from 2 September 2019:
A police officer's weekly payment is not reduced to 90% or 80% if, had they not been a police officer, it is unlikely they'd have been in the circumstances that caused the injury.
That's a paraphrase; the test turns on the circumstances, not on whether you were on duty. An injury from restraining an offender, a crash during a pursuit, or trauma from attending a fatal crash would usually meet it. A trip on the stairs at the station, or a strain lifting a box, would usually not, because anyone in an office could be in that situation.
Likely to keep 100%
- ✓Assaulted while making an arrest
- ✓Injured in a police pursuit or emergency driving
- ✓Hurt at a riot, siege or search
- ✓Psychological injury from attending traumatic scenes
Likely to step down
- ✕Slip or trip in the station
- ✕Office ergonomic injury
- ✕Injury lifting stores or furniture
- ✕Stress from general workload alone (also check s 25 exclusions)
It doesn't extend the time limits
The exemption stops the percentage reductions in s 69B(1)(b) and (c). It doesn't remove the 9, 12 or 20-year limits or the pension-age cut-off. If your claim is near the 78-week mark, check in writing that the claims manager has applied s 69B(2DA) to your injury.
Worked example: what the step-downs would mean
Take a Constable on Level 6 ($85,780 base from 1 December 2025) on a 24-hour roster with the 28% shift and penalty allowance. On our rough calculation, their normal weekly earnings are about $2,104. Real figures use your actual average earnings, so yours will differ.
Weeks 1-26
- General rule
- 100%
- Weekly payment
- $2,104
- Weekly loss
- $0
Weeks 27-78
- General rule
- 90%
- Weekly payment
- $1,894
- Weekly loss
- $210
Week 79 onward
- General rule
- 80%
- Weekly payment
- $1,683
- Weekly loss
- $421
Any week, police exemption applies
- General rule
- 100%
- Weekly payment
- $2,104
- Weekly loss
- $0
| Period | General rule | Weekly payment | Weekly loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-26 | 100% | $2,104 | $0 |
| Weeks 27-78 | 90% | $1,894 | $210 |
| Week 79 onward | 80% | $1,683 | $421 |
| Any week, police exemption applies | 100% | $2,104 | $0 |
Calculated by us as (base + 28% shift and penalty allowance) / 52.18. A Sergeant on Level 1 would be about $2,672 a week on the same basis.
Over a year at 80%, the difference is roughly $21,885 before tax. That's why the police exemption and a return-to-work plan of at least half your normal hours, which also blocks a step-down, matter so much.
See a reduced weekly payment after tax
Using the 28% 24-hour roster allowance, a Constable on Level 6 ($85,780 base) earns roughly $2,104 a week. Check what any reduced weekly figure means after tax in the take-home pay calculator.
Psychological injury and the PTSD presumption
Tasmania was the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate a PTSD presumption for public sector workers. Section 28A, in force from 4 June 2019, covers anyone employed by the Crown or appointed under a State Act, which takes in police through section 4(2).
The wording matters: where a relevant worker suffers PTSD, "the worker's employment is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, taken to have contributed to a substantial degree to that injury". You still need a PTSD diagnosis, and the employer can rebut the presumption with evidence.
What the PTSD presumption does and doesn't do
- ✓ Does: remove the need to prove your work was the major cause of PTSD
- ✓ Does: apply to sworn officers and other Crown employees alike
- ✓ Doesn't: cover other conditions, such as depression without PTSD
- ✓ Doesn't: override the reasonable management action exclusion in s 25(1A)
- ✓ Doesn't: override the misconduct and self-inflicted injury exclusions in s 25(2)
- ✓ Doesn't: change the step-downs, though s 69B(2DA) often will for police
Other mental injuries
For depression, anxiety or adjustment disorders, the general test applies: employment must be the major or most significant factor. Section 25(1A) excludes a mental illness arising substantially from reasonable action taken in a reasonable manner to transfer, demote, discipline, counsel or dismiss you, a reasonable decision not to promote or transfer you, or reasonable administrative action.
The key word is "reasonable". A disciplinary process run unfairly, or bullying dressed up as management, isn't protected by the exclusion. Keep copies of emails and notes of meetings.
If you need to talk to someone now
-
Emergency
000If you or someone else is in immediate danger.
-
Lifeline
13 11 1424/7 crisis support. Text 0477 13 11 14.
-
Beyond Blue
1300 22 463624/7 counselling and support.
-
Worker Assist Tasmania
03 6216 7677Free, independent help with workers comp claims (number as listed by WorkSafe Tasmania).
-
DPFEM Wellbeing Support
Internal
Confidential in-house and external services and a 24/7 Critical Incident Stress Management program. Find the contact on the intranet or ask your supervisor.
Medical costs, lump sums and common law
Once liability is accepted, the employer pays reasonable medical, hospital, rehabilitation, household and travel-related services for the injury (s 75). Medical accounts must be paid or disputed within 28 days (s 77AA).
Medical costs stop
52 weeks
after weekly payments lawfully end, unless TASCAT extends (s 75)
Physical lump sum from
5% WPI
permanent impairment (s 71(1))
Psychiatric lump sum from
10% WPI
permanent psychiatric impairment (s 71(2))
Permanent impairment lump sums are calculated from a formula tied to the Act's basic salary figure, up to 415 units for impairment above 70%. Common law damages against your employer need at least 20% whole person impairment, certified by a doctor and determined by TASCAT (s 138AB).
Get advice before you settle anything
Redemptions, lump sums and common law claims can end your weekly payments and medical cover. Speak to the Police Association of Tasmania or a workers compensation lawyer before you sign.
How workers comp interacts with medical retirement
Workers compensation and medical retirement are separate processes. Under the Police Service Act 2003, the Commissioner can decide an officer is unable to perform their duties because of mental illness, injury, illness, disease or general physical unfitness (s 29), and can order a medical examination.
- 1
Counselling and retraining
First optionsSection 29(4) lists the actions the Commissioner may take, starting with counselling and retraining.
- 2
Reassignment, transfer or reduced pay
Middle optionsDuties can be reassigned, or you can be transferred or have your pay reduced.
- 3
Demotion or termination
Last resortThese come last; s 29(5) requires the actions to be considered in the order listed.
- 4
Retirement with agreement
s 28(3)Under s 28(3), an officer the Commissioner considers unable to perform their duties for a s 29 reason may retire with the Commissioner's written agreement.
Leaving the job doesn't automatically end an accepted workers comp claim. Weekly payments depend on incapacity, not continued employment, and the time limits above keep running. What you get from super or insurance on medical retirement depends on your fund, so read our Tasmania Police medical retirement guide and talk to the fund before you make a decision.
What to do if your claim is disputed or payments stop
TASCAT's personal compensation stream decides workers compensation disputes. The time limits are short, so diarise them the day you receive a notice.
Employer disputes liability for weekly payments
- Time limit
- Within 84 days of receiving the claim, with notice, reasons and a referral to TASCAT
- Who acts
- Employer (s 81A)
Employer seeks to terminate or reduce payments (s 86)
- Time limit
- 60 days to refer the matter to TASCAT
- Who acts
- Worker
Medical account disputed (s 77AA)
- Time limit
- 60 days to refer the dispute notice
- Who acts
- Worker
Damages claim
- Time limit
- Needs a 20% WPI certificate and a TASCAT determination
- Who acts
- Worker (s 138AB)
| Event | Time limit | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Employer disputes liability for weekly payments | Within 84 days of receiving the claim, with notice, reasons and a referral to TASCAT | Employer (s 81A) |
| Employer seeks to terminate or reduce payments (s 86) | 60 days to refer the matter to TASCAT | Worker |
| Medical account disputed (s 77AA) | 60 days to refer the dispute notice | Worker |
| Damages claim | Needs a 20% WPI certificate and a TASCAT determination | Worker (s 138AB) |
TASCAT's process normally includes conciliation before a hearing for many dispute types; check the referral form for your matter.
You don't have to do this alone. Worker Assist Tasmania offers free, independent advice, and the WorkSafe Tasmania Helpline (1300 366 322) can explain the process. The Police Association of Tasmania can advise members and may arrange legal help.
The 2026 scheme review: what might change
The WorkCover Tasmania Board is running a broad review of the workers rehabilitation and compensation scheme. Its terms of reference are dated 9 April 2026 and public consultation closed in September 2026. When we checked on 9 October 2026, no recommendations had been published.
Both police protections are in the frame
Pulse Tasmania reported on 28 August 2026 that the Police Association of Tasmania was opposing any weakening of the PTSD presumption or the police step-down exemption. Nothing has changed yet. We'll update this page if the review recommends changes or a bill is introduced.
If you have a claim open now, the rules above apply. Amendments usually say whether they cover existing claims, so don't assume either way until a bill is published.
Support services for Tasmania Police officers
Workers comp pays for treatment once a claim is accepted, but support shouldn't wait for paperwork. These services are confirmed on official or reputable sources.
DPFEM Wellbeing Support
- What it offers
- Confidential in-house and external support for staff and families, a 24/7 Critical Incident Stress Management program and the MyPulse platform
- How to reach it
- Intranet or your supervisor
Worker Assist Tasmania
- What it offers
- Free, independent help with workers comp claims and disputes
- How to reach it
- 03 6216 7677
WorkSafe Tasmania Helpline
- What it offers
- Information on the scheme, claims and rights
- How to reach it
- 1300 366 322
Police Association of Tasmania
- What it offers
- Member advice and representation
- How to reach it
- Your delegate or the Association office
Police Legacy Tasmania
- What it offers
- Independent charity supporting police families (founded 2019)
- How to reach it
- Via its website
Lifeline / Beyond Blue
- What it offers
- 24/7 crisis support and counselling
- How to reach it
- 13 11 14 / 1300 22 4636
| Service | What it offers | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| DPFEM Wellbeing Support | Confidential in-house and external support for staff and families, a 24/7 Critical Incident Stress Management program and the MyPulse platform | Intranet or your supervisor |
| Worker Assist Tasmania | Free, independent help with workers comp claims and disputes | 03 6216 7677 |
| WorkSafe Tasmania Helpline | Information on the scheme, claims and rights | 1300 366 322 |
| Police Association of Tasmania | Member advice and representation | Your delegate or the Association office |
| Police Legacy Tasmania | Independent charity supporting police families (founded 2019) | Via its website |
| Lifeline / Beyond Blue | 24/7 crisis support and counselling | 13 11 14 / 1300 22 4636 |
We couldn't confirm a public phone number for DPFEM Wellbeing Support or the name of its external provider. Police Legacy Tasmania details are from a secondary source.
In an emergency, call 000. If you're worried about a colleague, asking them directly whether they're OK is the right thing to do.
Questions to ask the Police Association of Tasmania
The Association sees these claims every week and can tell you how the rules are applied in practice. Take this list to your first conversation.
- ✓ Does s 69B(2DA) apply to my injury, and has the claims manager confirmed it in writing?
- ✓ How has my normal weekly earnings figure been calculated, and is my shift allowance included?
- ✓ Will sick leave I used before the claim was accepted be re-credited?
- ✓ Can I get legal help through the Association, and at what point?
- ✓ What suitable duties are available, and how do I make sure I'm not stepped down to 90% or 80% if they're not offered?
- ✓ Is a whole person impairment assessment worth getting now, given the 9-year limit?
- ✓ How would medical retirement affect my claim, super and any insurance?
- ✓ What is the Association's position on the 2026 scheme review, and how will it affect open claims?
For pay context, see our Tasmania Police salary guide and the Tasmania Police pay deal. Comparing forces? Read how the NT, SA and AFP schemes treat injured officers.
Free email alerts
Changes to Tasmania Police injury and support schemes
Tasmania's workers compensation scheme is under review in 2026, and the police step-down exemption and PTSD presumption are part of the debate. Get a short email when the rules that protect injured officers change.
- ✓Alerts when the review reports or the Act is amended
- ✓Plain-English summaries of what changes for injured officers
Frequently asked questions
Are Tasmania Police officers covered by workers compensation?
Yes. The Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 binds the Crown, and section 4(2) says a police officer is deemed to be in the service of the Crown. The Act's definition of police officer also includes junior constables and trainees under the Police Service Act 2003, so recruits at the Academy are covered too.
How much workers comp do Tasmanian police get?
For the first 26 weeks you get 100% of your normal weekly earnings (or your ordinary time rate if that's higher). The general rule then drops to 90% until week 78 and 80% after that. For police, section 69B(2DA) removes those step-downs where a non-police worker would have been unlikely to be in the circumstances that caused the injury.
What is the police step-down exemption in Tasmania?
It's section 69B(2DA), added by the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Act 2019 from 2 September 2019. It says a police officer's weekly payment is not reduced to 90% or 80% if, had they not been a police officer, it is unlikely they'd have been in the circumstances that caused the injury. Think of an assault during an arrest rather than a slip in the car park.
Is PTSD automatically accepted for Tasmania Police?
Not automatically, but it's presumed. Section 28A says that for Crown employees, including police, a PTSD injury is taken to have been contributed to a substantial degree by employment unless there is evidence to the contrary. The usual exclusions still apply, such as injury arising from reasonable management action or serious and wilful misconduct.
How long can I receive weekly payments in Tasmania?
It depends on your whole person impairment. With under 15% or no assessment, payments end 9 years after the initial incapacity; 15-19% gives 12 years; 20-29% gives 20 years; and 30% or more lets payments continue to pension age. In every case they stop at pension age under section 87.
Who decides a disputed Tasmania Police workers comp claim?
The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT). An employer that disputes liability for weekly payments must serve written notice with reasons and refer the matter to TASCAT within 84 days of receiving the claim, or liability is taken to be accepted. Workers generally have 60 days to refer certain terminations or dispute notices.
Does using sick leave affect a Tasmania Police workers comp claim?
The Police Award's personal leave entitlement does not apply to on-duty injury or illness, so a work injury should run through workers compensation rather than your sick leave balance. If you use sick leave while a claim is being decided, ask your Injury Management Coordinator and the Police Association how it will be re-credited if the claim is accepted.
Can I get a lump sum for a psychological injury in Tasmania?
Yes, if the permanent psychiatric impairment is assessed at 10% of the whole person or more (section 71(2)). Physical impairment is compensable from 5%. Separately, suing your employer for common law damages requires at least 20% whole person impairment, certified by a doctor and determined by TASCAT.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 9 October 2026. Pay rates and rules change when new agreements are made, so check the source for the date you're reading this. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the page says so instead of guessing. Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy.
- Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Tas), current version — ss 4, 25, 28A, 32, 69, 69B, 70, 71, 75, 81A, 87, 138AB
- Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Act 2019 (Tas) (No. 23 of 2019) — police step-down exemption, s 69B(2DA), from 2 Sep 2019
- Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Presumption as to Cause of Disease) Act 2019 (Tas) — PTSD presumption, s 28A, from 4 Jun 2019
- Police Service Act 2003 (Tas) — ss 28-29 retirement and inability to perform duties
- TASCAT: Time limits if a claim is disputed or payments stopped
- WorkSafe Tasmania: Mental health support services — WorkSafe Helpline and Worker Assist Tasmania
- Department of Treasury and Finance: Tasmanian Risk Management Fund — whole-of-government self-insurance and claims process
- WorkCover Tasmania: Broad review of the workers rehabilitation and compensation scheme
- Tasmania Police recruitment: Wellbeing support — DPFEM wellbeing services, CISM and MyPulse
- Pulse Tasmania: Police union warns injured officers must not pay for compensation shake-up (28 Aug 2026) — secondary; Police Association position on the review
- Tasmanian Industrial Commission: Police Award history
Related guides
Serving officers
More in this series
General information, not advice. This guide explains published rules and rates. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal, tax or credit advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your force, your police association, the ATO or a licensed professional.