The COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 came into force on 25 March 2020.

Insofar as workers compensation is concerned, the Act gives Regulation and Guideline making powers to permit treating allied health professionals to issue second and subsequent Certificates of Capacity. Previously, pursuant to Section 44B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, only medical practitioners were able to issue such Certificates.

The second reading speech makes clear that the intention of this amendment is to relieve pressure on General Practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As at 8 April 2020, the supporting Regulation to put these measures in place is yet to be announced. However, icare has noted that a Regulation is being drafted, and we expect the changes to come into force in the near future.