Gig work and reform of workers’ compensation and rehabilitation in Queensland
Unlike most other aspects of employment law, workers’ compensation and rehabilitation is primarily a state responsibility. Workers’ compensation and rehabilitation systems differ between states, causing confusion among participants. The rehabilitation and return-to-work dimensions are crucial to the effectiveness of these schemes, and in minimising the cost to the community of workplace injury.
Many ‘gig’ workers are vulnerable workers as they have low bargaining power and lack access to many of the rights afforded to employees under conventional labour law including access to workers’ compensation and rehabilitation. When injured or killed at work, the consequences are serious but compensation may be totally lacking.
This report investigates issues facing Queensland’s workers’ compensation laws in relation to gig workers.
October 2024
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