Workers Compensation Act 1987

Costs are not payable in relation to a permanent impairment assessment incurred by the insurer or worker unless the assessment is—

a principal assessment or further principal assessment, or

a dispute assessment, or

another assessment permitted by the Workers Compensation Acts or regulations made under the Workers Compensation Acts.

Costs are not payable to an insurer or worker for more than one permanent impairment assessment of the worker unless—

the assessment is for the purposes of disputing a permanent impairment assessment, or

in circumstances where the parties agree there appears to be an unexpected and material deterioration in the worker’s condition since the original permanent impairment assessment was conducted, or

the assessment is for another purpose or in another circumstance prescribed by the regulations.

If a worker is required to undergo an examination for a permanent impairment assessment, the worker is entitled to recover from the worker’s employer, in addition to any compensation otherwise provided—

the amount of any wages lost by the worker because of the requirement to undergo the examination, and

the cost to the worker of any fares, travelling expenses and maintenance necessarily and reasonably incurred in undergoing the examination.

If it is necessary for a worker to travel to undergo an examination for a permanent impairment assessment and the worker is not reasonably able to travel unescorted, the fares, travelling expenses and maintenance referred to in this section include fares, travelling expenses and maintenance necessarily and reasonably incurred by an escort for the worker provided to enable the worker to be examined.

If the cost of fares, travelling expenses and maintenance referred to in this section includes the cost of travel by private motor vehicle, the cost must be calculated at the rate fixed under section 64.

The regulations may provide for matters relating to legal costs relating to permanent impairment assessments.