Major reforms
Commonwealth Workmen’s Compensation Act 1912
05 February 1913
This law gives public service employees financial compensation if they are injured or killed while working.
Before the Commonwealth Workmen’s Compensation Act 1912, public service employees who were injured or died at work were not protected or compensated by the Australian Government. Employers only had to cover medical and other costs if they were found to be negligent by a court. The Act provided public service employees with a limited range of payments if they were injured or killed because of and while working.
Worker’s compensation was part of the worker’s rights movement. The idea that individuals had social rights spread as Australia industrialised in the 19th and 20th century.
Over time, incidents that happened on the way to and from work, as well as at work were covered. Compensation benefits were made more generous and illnesses contracted because of work were also included. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the wording of the Act was changed to also include female workers.
The Age, 4 October 1912
State Library of Victoria
The Age, 4 October 1912
State Library of Victoria
Description
An article announcing a new federal government measure for workmen’s compensation with a maximum payment of £500.