Workers compensation reforms for firefighters
New law makes it easier for firefighters to claim compensation
The law has changed to simplify the process for eligible NSW firefighters to make claims for workers compensation entitlements and support, if diagnosed with a specified primary cancer.
The Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Firefighters) Bill 2018 was passed by the NSW Parliament on 22 November 2018 and enables eligible firefighters diagnosed with any of 12 specified primary cancers, and who meet the corresponding minimum qualifying periods of service, to automatically be presumed to have developed the cancer because of their firefighting work or volunteer service.
The law change means that:
- eligible firefighters diagnosed with any of the 12 specified primary cancers, and who meet the corresponding qualifying periods of employment or service, on or after 27 September 2018 are entitled to the presumption
- there is no time limit on when a diagnosis must be made after stopping work or volunteer service as a firefighter, for the presumption to apply
- eligible firefighters diagnosed before 27 September 2018 may be able to access the presumption retrospectively when specific circumstances are met
- an employer can dispute the presumption by proving that the claimant’s cancer is not related to their work or service as a firefighter.
The presumption applies to paid, volunteer, current and former firefighters from the following organisations:
- Fire and Rescue NSW
- NSW Rural Fire Service
- Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Forestry Corporation of NSW
- Sydney Trains.
The 12 specified primary cancers and the corresponding qualifying periods of service are:
| Disease | Qualifying service period |
|---|---|
| Primary site brain cancer | 5 years |
| Primary leukaemia | 5 years |
| Primary site breast cancer | 10 years |
| Primary site testicular cancer | 10 years |
| Primary site bladder cancer | 15 years |
| Primary site kidney cancer | 15 years |
| Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma | 15 years |
| Multiple myeloma | 15 years |
| Primary site prostate cancer | 15 years |
| Primary site ureter cancer | 15 years |
| Primary site colorectal cancer | 15 years |
| Primary site oesophageal cancer | 25 years |
The presumptive legislation has not created any new workers compensation benefits and entitlements for eligible firefighters, rather it is designed to make it quicker and easier for eligible firefighters to claim and access existing workers compensation entitlements.